Table of Contents
- Step 1: Start with a Challenging Question or Problem
- Step 2: Conduct In-Depth Inquiry Add Your Heading Text Here
- Step 3: Encourage Student Voice and Choice
- Step 4: Provide Time for Collaboration and Feedback
- Step 5: Develop and Refine a Product or Solution
- Step 6: Present the Project to an Authentic Audience
- Step 7: Reflect and Evaluate
- Making the Most of PBL in STEM Classrooms
Project based learning focuses on providing students with real-world examples and experiences that help them understand the curriculum on a deeper level. When utilizing project based learning techniques, educators typically conduct their lessons over a longer period of time, which allows students to fully explore complex questions and problems, searching for the best, most effective solution.
When implementing a STEM curriculum, a project based approach to learning can be extremely beneficial to student engagement and comprehension. In this article, we will walk through the seven major steps of project based learning, noting tips and recommendations for each, specifically as they pertain to STEM education.
Step 1: Start with a Challenging Question or Problem
Even project based learning lessons should be centered around an overarching, open-ended question. This question serves as the anchor for the lesson that encourages students to explore and investigate to find the best answer and solution.
When creating the initial question or problem for the STEM lesson, it is important to ensure it aligns with the STEM learning objectives and goals for the activity. Since these lessons are typically done over multiple weeks, and perhaps even over a full semester, it can be helpful to align with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Common Core State Standards (CCSS) appropriate for the age and grade level of the students.
Examples of strong project based learning questions for STEM lessons include “What materials can be used to make the strongest, earthquake resistant bridge?” or “What does our changing heart rate during different daily tasks and activities tell us about energy use?”
Step 2: Conduct In-Depth Inquiry Add Your Heading Text Here
Once the question has been posed to students, it is important they conduct in-depth research to help them better explore the different facets of the problem. As parents, educators, and facilitators, it is essential we are prepared and able to help guide students through the inquiry process, calling out key sub-steps, such as gathering information, experimenting,
asking further questions, and making observations.
One effective way to help students through the inquiry process is hands-on learning opportunities, such as the STEM Sports® curricula kits. By giving students time to work closely and actively with the curricula, they will start to think more critically about the problem at hand, which helps them better navigate the different phases of research.
Step 3: Encourage Student Voice and Choice
One of the many benefits of project based learning is it allows students to have a voice in their own learning process. When properly executed, project based learning allows students to decide how they explore topics, how they collaborate with classmates, and how they present their ideas to the larger group. This flexibility helps cater to all students, regardless of their preferences and learning styles. The approach also helps students to exercise their soft skills, such as critical thinking, time management, problem-solving, and collaboration.
Step 4: Provide Time for Collaboration and Feedback
Collaboration is a key aspect of project based learning. Throughout the lessons, students should be working in both small and large groups, using each other as resources to better understand the problem they are trying to solve. Through team discussions, students can compare findings, brainstorm solutions, and refine their results based on the shared learnings of the larger group.
Another major aspect of the project based learning process is feedback – teacher, personal, and peer. Educators should find natural stops in the curriculum where it makes sense for students to reflect on their work individually and as a group. The ability to provide and take feedback is key to real-world success, and is something educators can help prepare students for classroom experiences.
Step 5: Develop and Refine a Product or Solution
Throughout the larger project based learning lesson, students will be working to answer and find a solution to the originally posed question/problem. That makes step five – developing and refining a solution – a key aspect of the learning process. It is critical students understand the first answer is not always the best answer, and it is okay to change your thought process over time.
Educators should promote students sharing their solution with the group, and working collaboratively to refine the response as their understanding changes. This can be done organically throughout the lesson or through pre-planned solution check-ins, where each student is given five minutes to share their current thoughts and solutions, creating a safe space of conversation, feedback, and questions.
Step 6: Present the Project to an Authentic Audience
Once students are confident in their answer and solution to the original question, educators should set up a time for them to present their findings to a new, authentic audience. This can be another class, parents, school administrators, clubs, community members, or mentors. By giving students the platform and opportunity to share with a new, larger group, it increases their investment in the learning process and also helps them develop presentation skills, which are critical to being a successful member of the STEM workforce.
Step 7: Reflect and Evaluate
At the end of the lesson, educators should facilitate a reflection session, where students evaluate their performance, their groups performance, and the effectiveness of the lesson. This mindfulness helps students to think critically about the learning process and often helps them learn more about themselves as learners, what works and what does not work for them.
Here are some questions to ask students during their personal evaluation:
- What was your biggest challenge?
- How would you approach the question if given another opportunity?
- What was your strongest moment during the lesson?
- When did you feel your team worked best together?
- What did you enjoy the most about the lesson?
- Did you feel comfortable asking questions to your group?
Making the Most of PBL in STEM Classrooms
The seven steps noted above are a powerful framework for implementing project based learning with students. When implementing any classroom curriculum, including STEM, it is important to make students an active participant in their education, something project based learning does effectively.
Once you begin implementing this with your students, you will notice more engaged, passionate, and confident learners in your group who are ready to take on challenges and work with their classmates to reach a common goal.
