Project-Based Learning

Project-based learning is a hot topic in education.  With the adoption of common core curriculum and the Next Generation Science Standards, there is a big push to give students authentic and meaningful tasks with which they can apply a variety of skills.   This makes perfect sense and some credit must be given to cognitive science.  The cognitive science revolution of the past 20 years has given us so much knowledge on how people learn best.  How our brains connect new knowledge to existing knowledge is part of this cognitive science revolution.  Giving students relevant experiences that connect to things they already hold in their brains increases the chances that they will develop a conceptual understanding of a topic (rather than just a procedure) and also greatly increases the possibility that students can apply the learning to other things.

Ok, enough about the brain science......let's talk about what project based learning is.  Project based learning begins with an authentic task; something meaningful that will pic the interest of the students.

I recently developed a project-based activity for upper elementary where students are tasked with developing a dog park.  They design different areas of the dog park, such as grass, bark, pea gravel, and then calculate the costs for these materials based on the area of each section.   They also work on perimeter as they select fences and gates for their park.  As they apply math skills, they are also working on collaborative skills while they work in a team.  They write letters to city council members and culminate the project with a presentation detailing their budget and dog park proposal.  The requirements of the project take place over the course of several days in the classroom.  Students are invested in the activity and engagement soars.  Creativity is encouraged as each team creates their own version of a dog park.  When the project concludes, they've had the opportunity to apply a variety of math and language skills to a project they won't soon forget.  I'd love to hear your thoughts on project-based learning.  Have you tried it before?  What was the response from students?