Educators know that science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education is crucial for student success in the 21st century. Interest in these areas begins in elementary school and elementary teachers need to be aware of strategies that promote this learning. This paper will explore inquiry-based instructional strategies as a method for generating student interest in science. Inquiry is a process that students use to resolve uncertainty. Grounded in the work of John Dewey, inquiry requires a person to use reflective and critical thinking skills. Inquiry-based instruction is student centered and the teacher is viewed as the facilitator of knowledge and learning. The paper will focus on two inquiry-based instructional strategies: The 5E model and Concept attainment. The 5E model uses five phases: engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate. The concept attainment model is appropriate for teaching concepts that have a clear set of attributes. This strategy uses a process that allows students to create their own definitions and understanding