An inquiry-based activity I would use with my Junior Infants class is from Curious Minds and is based on animals in the cold https://www.sfi.ie/site-files/primary-science/media/pdfs/col/animals-in-the-cold.pdf
The activity links in well with learning about the seasons and weather. The children will discuss what animals they know that live in cold or hotter places and will sort a selection of photographs of different animals e.g. polar bears, penguins, camels etc. into which live in colder/hotter habitats. Then the children will work in small groups to discuss the similarities and differences of the animals that live in colder habitats (they will discuss the animals that live in hotter habitats as an extension activity another day or as early finishers work). The teacher will prompt the groups with questions such as how do the animals keep warm and ask the children to add to the Wonder Wall (e.g. I wonder why they have fur?) All the questions on the Wonder Wall will be discussed as a whole class group and children will be able to share their ideas and knowledge. The teacher will explain that the animals have a thick layer of fat under their skin to keep themselves warm and that where the polar bears and the penguins live is so cold that this thick layer of fat is not enough. That’s why the polar bear also has a thick coat of fur and the penguin has a thick layer of feathers. The teacher will then ask the class what do people do when they feel cold? People put on an extra jumper or a thick coat. Polar bears and penguins don’t put on a coat. Their fur and feathers act like a kind of coat that they are always wearing. The penguin’s feathers and the polar bear’s fur are also covered in a layer of grease to repel water. The teacher will put some Vaseline on one of each child’s hands. Now the children also have a greasy layer on their skin and will see what happens when water drips on their hand. They will see that the water rolls off the hand with the greasy layer. Discuss with the children what they have learned. Come to the conclusion that the penguin and the polar bear have three ways to keep themselves warm: a thick coat of fur or feathers, a thick layer of fat under their skin, and a greasy layer on their fur or feathers. Explain that the animals have adapted to the conditions that they live in.