For school leaders, moving from isolated projects to a true culture of Project-Based Learning (PBL) is one of the most exciting, and complex, shifts a staff can make. The challenge isn’t just in launching projects; it’s in building the shared capacity, confidence, and routines that make rigorous PBL a sustainable practice across classrooms. We are […] The post Project-Based Learning and Building Staff Capacity first appeared on Center for Excellence.| Center for Excellence
What does it mean for students to truly explore an idea? In many classrooms, learning still leans too heavily on passive absorption, reading, watching, and listening, without enough opportunity for students to engage with ideas through direct experience. Active Exploration (one of the A’s in the 6 A’s project implementation elements) shifts this paradigm. It’s […] The post Active Exploration: A Path to Meaningful Learning first appeared on Center for Excellence.| Center for Excellence
In an era where student engagement is more crucial than ever, educators are turning to Project-Based Learning (PBL) to foster curiosity, collaboration, and meaningful learning. By integrating the 6A’s framework—Authenticity, Academic Rigor, Applied Learning, Active Exploration, Adult Connections, and Assessment—teachers can design PBL experiences that not only captivate students but also meet essential subject matter […] The post Re-Engaging Students Through PBL: A Lens on the 6A’s ...| Center for Excellence
This blog was written by Antonio, a student at New Tech High School in Napa California, reflecting on his experience with project-based learning in a Math III course. Implementing project-based learning (PBL) in mathematics can be challenging due to the subject’s emphasis on individualized practice. Math is often taught most efficiently through lectures and repetitive […] The post Project Based Learning in Math III first appeared on Center for Excellence.| Center for Excellence
The last week of March, I had the privilege of working with the educators and students at Limerick ETSS (LETSS) during a PBL support visit. We have had the honor of working with LETSS since their opening with 14 teachers. Their growth and scaling has brought them to 80 staff currently and growing each year! […] The post Transformative PBL at Limerick ETSS first appeared on Center for Excellence.| Center for Excellence
In the heart of Napa, California, New Technology High School (New Tech High) stands as a pioneering institution dedicated to transforming education through Project-Based Learning (PBL). As a school that focuses on both content mastery and essential skill development, we are committed to preparing students not just for graduation, but for lifelong success in an […] The post New Technology High School: Innovating Education Through Project-Based Learning first appeared on Center for Excellence.| Center for Excellence
At New Tech High School in Napa, we are intentional about providing clarity for students, offering timely and relevant feedback, and leveraging formative assessment to drive learning within projects. By aligning assessment strategies with each stage of the learning process, we ensure that students understand their goals, receive constructive feedback at critical moments, and continuously […] The post 7 Effective Assessment Strategies for Project-Based Learning first appeared on Center for E...| Center for Excellence
A super fun project based learning activity where students take on a creative engineering challenge by designing and constructing their own pumpkin helmets using recyclable materials. Each student or group will be provided with a variety of materials such as cardboard, plastic bottles, foam, and tape. They will think critically about the properties of these items and put them together to create a helmet that can effectively protect a pumpkin, which will serve as the "head," during a drop test...| Science of Curiosity
The following is an excerpt from Chapter 4 of Project Based Learning: Real Questions. Real Answers. Direct instruction, however, has developed negative connotations, especially among fans of project based learning and inquiry. Yet, in Visible Learning for Teachers, John Hattie tells us, “One of the more successful methods for maximizing the impact of teaching and enabling teachers […]| Cooper on Curriculum
The following is an excerpt from Chapter 1 of Project Based Learning: Real Questions. Real Answers. When planning a PBL unit, there are five potential starting points, none of which are mutually exclusive. Students: Find out what’s relevant to the students and use this as the basis for the project. Cool idea: Start with a cool idea […]| Cooper on Curriculum
The following is the fourth of four excerpts from the eBook, How Do I Lead Project Based Learning?, which provides a concrete framework for leading the implementation of project based learning. Although this eBook was written through the lens of project based learning, everything can be applied to all professional learning and instructional shifts, no matter […]| Cooper on Curriculum
The following is the third of four excerpts from the eBook, How Do I Lead Project Based Learning?, which provides a concrete framework for leading the implementation of project based learning. Although this eBook was written through the lens of project based learning, everything can be applied to all professional learning and instructional shifts, no matter […]| Cooper on Curriculum
The following is the second of four excerpts from the eBook, How Do I Lead Project Based Learning?, which provides a concrete framework for leading the implementation of project based learning. Although this eBook was written through the lens of project based learning, everything can be applied to all professional learning and instructional shifts, no matter […]| Cooper on Curriculum
The following is the first of four excerpts from the eBook, How Do I Lead Project Based Learning?, which provides a concrete framework for leading the implementation of project based learning. Although this eBook was written through the lens of project based learning, everything can be applied to all professional learning and instructional shifts, no […]| Cooper on Curriculum
The following is an excerpt from the eBook, #RealPBL Deleted Scenes, which contains excerpts that didn’t make it into the final draft of the book, Project Based Learning: Real Questions. Real Answers. Background Information: Here’s the final section from the Introduction that didn’t make the cut. Whereas the previous section stuck around for awhile, this one was written and then deleted shortly thereafter. While we believe the problem posed by this section - tech addiction - is worth...| Cooper on Curriculum
The following is an excerpt from the eBook, #RealPBL Deleted Scenes, which contains excerpts that didn't make it into the final draft of the book, Project Based Learning: Real Questions. Real Answers. Background Information: The book’s Introduction was probably the most difficult part to write, which is why two of this eBook’s excerpts are from the Introduction. In the Introduction, we wanted to include a few reasons as to why project based learning should be prioritized, but we don’t w...| Cooper on Curriculum
In this project-based learning experience, students will work collaboratively to design and plan a community garden from scratch, taking into account factors such as space utilization, plant selection, and sustainability. This real-world project will encourage students to develop essential skills in research, teamwork, and problem-solving while fostering an understanding of community and environmental stewardship. Project-Based… The post PBL Lesson Plan: Designing and Planning a Community G...| The Homeschool Resource Room
In this article you will find a free project based learning lesson plan where your students will create their own podcast series! A fun and engaging, cross-curricular project for students in middle and high school. Podcast Project for Students: A Free PBL Lesson Plan Title: Creating a Student Podcast Series Grade Level: Middle School and… The post Podcast Project for Students: A Free PBL Lesson Plan appeared first on The Homeschool Resource Room.| The Homeschool Resource Room
In this project based learning lesson plan, students will explore the concept of creating a weather forecast. Through this interdisciplinary approach, students will develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills while incorporating various subjects and technologies. Students will form teams and work collaboratively to collect and analyze weather data as well as to present a… The post Weather Forecast Lesson Plan: FREE PBL Activities appeared first on The Homeschool Res...| The Homeschool Resource Room
In this blog post, we will explore the numerous benefits of using a project based learning (PBL) lesson plan template, highlighting how it enhances instructional planning, student outcomes, and overall teaching effectiveness. Project based learning has gained significant recognition as an effective teaching approach that fosters student engagement, critical thinking, and real-world application of knowledge.… The post PBL Lesson Plan Template: The Power of Project Based Learning appeared fir...| The Homeschool Resource Room