Project Based Learning

What is PBL?

 

    Characteristics of PBL

  • PBL provides real-world elements that prompt students to take risks, problem solve, and collaborate.
  • Instruction is driven by a central question, connects students with the content that they need to master, and requires revision of the work.
  • A culminating event allows students to present their work to a public audience.

    Examples of Driving Questions

  • What techniques do authors use in their personal memoirs to make meaning from their experiences? (English 10) 
  • How does Great Britain's Industrial Revolution of the 19th century still have impact our modern day lives today? (Modern World History) 
  • How do the intermolecular and intermolecular forces determine what maltose is to be today? (Chemistry) 
  • Is the Civil Rights Movement Ongoing? (Peace Studies) 
  • What inventions or innovations have made the most significant impacts on human history? (Foundations of Technology) 
  • How do programmers use abstraction and collaboration to solve complex problems? (Computer Science Principles) 

WHS & PBL

 

Academy of Information Technology 

Students use PBL to answer questions like:

  • How do programmers use abstraction and collaboration to solve complex problems?
  • What system designs need to be created to protect passengers and the vehicle in a crash?
  • Can multiple stakeholders agree upon a single community design solution?
  • Why are geodesic dome designs critical considerations in preparing for some natural disasters?
  • Can you create an app to solve a problem?
  • Can you create a computational artifact that summarizes societal issues with technology?
  • How can we design a webpage that meets requirements for all users?
 
Global Studies 

Students use PBL to answer questions like:

  • How was the Civil rights movement successful due to non-violence?    
  • As a marketing specialist, how do you promote drinks (green tea, yerba mate, etc) to an outside market?    
  • What is an individual’s responsibility to society, and what is a government’s responsibility to its people?    
  • Monguls: Good guys or bad guys?    
  • What stocks and mutual funds can we purchase to maximize our $100,000 savings?    
  • How has the identity and cultures of African countries been shaped by imperialism and independence?    
  • How would you solve a social or environmental issue that is plaguing the African Country of Ghana?
 

BioScience Academy 

Students use PBL to answer questions like: 

  • How do we use medical technology to investigate, control, and monitor an outbreak?  
  • How do you design a health center/hospital to address the specific needs of a community?  
  • How do you design new, innovative ways to conquer cancer?  
  • How do you prevent and/or treat heart disease?  
  • How can you use bones to identify individuals?  
  • Do athletes have a higher cognitive function than non-athletes?  
  • How has vaccines revolutionized public health around the world?
 

Engineering Academy 

Students use PBL to answer questions like: 

  • How can I use my architectural knowledge to remodel my basement? 
  • How can I design and construct the fastest car? 
  • How can we prevent injuries that are caused from people falling on ice? 
  • How can we make it easier for farmers to monitor their crops? 
  • How can we, as engineers, build a robot to do our work for us? 
  • How can we use our engineering skills and experience to prevent backpacking stoves from tipping over? 
  • How can we use our engineering skills and experience to protect dogs during grooming? 
 


School Goals

-Introduce PBL to all aspects of the student life

-Drive students to think outside of the box

 

 

PBL Newsletters

Click here to see our news letters!

 

RESOURCES