PBL Around the World

Edgewood Middle School (EMS) is launching a school-wide project-based learning (PBL) unit inspired by the book “The Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown, which recounts the University of Washington’s rowing team’s journey to the 1936 Berlin Olympics. This book, which emphasizes resilience, determination, and teamwork, will form the basis of an interdisciplinary curriculum…

Students at Alex Green Design Technology Magnet Elementary have developed calming apps aimed at supporting the well-being of their peers and teachers. This project, guided by fifth-grade teacher Anthony Madison, involved the students in every phase of app creation, from problem identification to final product presentation. The students used a variety of technology tools like…

First-grader Kezia Montague from Wake County Public School System has been actively involved in a project aimed at improving the drainage and environmental sustainability of her school’s courtyard. She, along with her classmates, presented their findings at the annual STEMposium organized by WakeEd Partnership in downtown Raleigh. This event showcased various student projects, including the…

Students from Salida High School visited Verotouch, a business in Buena Vista, to engage in hands-on learning and explore potential career paths in construction and engineering. During their visit, they constructed sawhorses and delved into the company’s automation, printing systems, and operational processes. Verotouch, co-founded by CEO Grant Hamel, actively collaborates with local schools and…

The Chillicothe City School District (CCSD) has partnered with Ohio University Chillicothe to improve STEM education. This partnership leverages the expertise of Dana Letts, a local graduate and the district’s STEM director. The collaboration, termed VOICE (Variety of Individualized Choices in Education), offers personalized STEM learning experiences for students from kindergarten to high school, helping…

The Peñasco Independent School District (PISD) in New Mexico has adopted project-based learning, highlighting its benefits and applications through various programs and community partnerships. PISD has established about 15 project-based learning programs aimed at engaging students in practical and relevant educational experiences. For instance, the Envirothon competition allows students to work on environmental topics through…

Artificial intelligence (AI) voice modeling, ChatGPT, bots, and various other AI tools are becoming increasingly prevalent in our lives. Many schools are trying to use these tools to empower their students. Surana High Tech International School in Chennai India is one such educational institution that follows futuristic learning and is on a mission to enhance…

In Northern Colorado, retired teachers are re-entering the classroom through a nonprofit initiative called Classrooms for Climate Action, led by Tiffany Boyd. The program leverages the expertise and availability of retired educators to enhance project-based learning focused on climate change. These experienced teachers are well-equipped to manage classrooms and have the time to collaborate with…

Ellensburg High School has introduced a new alternative learning program, Big Picture Learning, as part of its Choice Schools offerings. This program provides an in-person, project-based learning environment for students in grades 9-12, with about 50 students currently enrolled. Unlike traditional educational models that focus primarily on academic credits, Big Picture Learning evaluates students based…

A collaborative educational initiative between Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) Department of Biology and Danbury Public Schools, is aimed at enhancing STEM education through various programs and competitions that focus on environmental stewardship and watershed conservation. The initiative, called “Finding Our Way,” is supported by a previous grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration…

At Sheffield Area High School in Pennsylvania, under the guidance of instructor Kristen Joblon, STEM education has brought students into an engaging, hands-on learning experience with a project that transformed their classroom into a robotic zoo. Using STEM Lab hummingbird kits, the students creatively built robots featuring lights, sensors, and motors. The project emphasized teamwork…

KQED Youth Takeover, an annual event now in its 7th season, where Bay Area youth are given the opportunity to express their opinions on issues impacting their lives through KQED’s TV, radio, and digital platforms. During this week-long event, youth voices are featured on various shows such as Rightnowish, Forum, Arts & Culture, Political Breakdown,…