10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher Inquiry Based Learning Made Simple for K-8
Apr 6, 2026
13:55
Inquiry-based learning doesn't have to mean overhauling your entire schedule. Terra Tarango, Chief Education Officer at Van Andel Institute for Education, shares practical ways K-8 teachers can weave inquiry and hands-on science into any subject — starting small and building from there.
Sponsored by the VAI Educator's Studio from Van Andel Institute for Education.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- How a 5-lesson kindergarten bee project covers science, math, ELA, and SEL
- Why "Beat the Bot" is the perfect activity for teaching kids what humans do better than AI
- How to flip your planning — start with what's interesting, then connect the content
- What ethical PD looks like (and why Terra says theory-heavy PD is "unethical")
- Small first steps: pledge forms, student pitch tanks, and flipping instruction order
Show notes and resources: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e930
Get 50% off VAI Educator's Studio membership with promo code COOLCAT at coolcatteacher.com/vai