Research Quest is an engaging, web-based series of science investigations designed to build critical thinking skills in students — all while aligning seamlessly with classroom learning standards.
Created by the Natural History Museum of Utah, Research Quest brings together an all-star team of learning scientists, university researchers, museum professionals, and digital designers to deliver an immersive, classroom-ready experience for classroom teachers and their students.
Each investigation begins with short, high-quality videos featuring our museum scientists. These experts introduce a real-world scientific mystery and model the process of collecting and evaluating evidence.
Your students then dive into digital museum collections, 3D models, and real data to gather evidence. They might examine a fossilized dinosaur jaw, analyze aerial photos of forests, or perform a virtual bat dissection. Along the way, students document their evidence and reasoning in interactive Research Quest notebooks, collaborate with classmates, and build arguments rooted in scientific thinking.
Absolutely. Research Quest is:
More than 500 teachers and 50,000+ students across the U.S. have already used Research Quest — and the feedback is overwhelmingly positive. Its success has been backed by rigorous classroom studies and supported by generous partners, including:
The reviews are overwhelmingly positive.
Want to learn more? Find out how one big question sparked the creation of Research Quest, dive into our investigations to find the right fit for your students.
Research Quest is a program of the Natural History Museum of Utah in partnership with The Utah Education Network
