Project Based Learning
What is Project Based Learning?
Students learn important content through Project Based Learning (PBL) by investigating questions, generating original ideas, and working collaboratively to produce products that demonstrate what they have learned. This research-based method of teaching and learning is quickly gaining popularity in schools that are focused on preparing students for future challenges.
Here are a few resources to help you understand why PBL is gaining momentum as a way to keep students interested and engaged in school while also helping them develop a deeper understanding of important content, along with essential 21st century skills like critical thinking, communication, and collaboration.
Get a quick overview of PBL in this animated video, Project Based Learning: Explained
Listen to students describe how PBL makes a difference in their lives in this video, "It Really, Actually Changed My Life."
Previous Project Based Learning Experiences
CREATIONS FOR A CAUSE
Students in River's Edge High School's Creations for a Cause class were tasked with answering the question, "How can we create artistic products to support our community?" Their solution was simple, create products to sell with the intention that 100% of the proceeds to go a nonprofit.
The students researched local nonprofits they wanted to support and then began to design and build their products to sell. Their creations were sold at the Richland Farmers Marker and at Downtown Kennewick's Girls Night Out event. A total of $1,000 was raised! The students chose to donate the proceeds of their sales to Grace Kitchen, Tri-County Partners Habitat for Humanity, Communities In Schools of Benton-Franklin, Therapeutic Riding of Tri-Cities and Pet OverPopulation Prevention.
HIKING SCIENCE
River's Edge High School's hiking science class has been exploring the question, "What are the ways that water affects Tri-Cities and the people who live here?" To help find an answer, students have gone on a series of local hikes to develop their scientific investigation skills. At the end of the class students will create an interpretive display that could inform people about factors affecting the local waterways.