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 outcomes.
Academic Rigor: Challenging Students to Think Critically
High-quality PBL doesn’t sacrifice rigor for engagement. As we have discussed before a high quality project does not sacrifice rigor, nor should it. Instead, it intertwines academic depth (equal intensity of surface, deep and transfer) with creative inquiry. When planning a PBL unit, educators should identify core standards and skills that the project will address. For example, a science class might explore the chemistry of water purification while meeting Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS MS-ESS3-3 (Earth and Human Activity): Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment. Through critical thinking and problem-solving workshops and tasks, students delve deeper into subject matter while honing essential cognitive skills.
Authenticity: Rooting Projects in Real-World Contexts
Authenticity is the cornerstone of impactful PBL. As one way to engage students, projects should connect to real-world problems, scenarios, or industries that resonate with their interests and lives. For instance, a geography unit on sustainability can challenge students to design solutions for reducing waste in their community. Remember, your project doesn’t always have to save the world! It could also replicate roles, tasks and processes that happen in other professions! Example, when teaching geology, how do geologists write? How do they share their work with their peers? How do they research and receive feedback? Replicating these same tasks can be just as authentic in the classroom. By working on projects that have tangible implications, students see the value of their learning beyond the classroom walls. Here is an example of an authentic community connection that happens every year in our town and a project we design around the event.
Applied Learning: Bridging Knowledge and Practical Skills
Applied learning transforms theoretical concepts into practical applications. Projects that require students to design, create, or experiment make learning both dynamic and memorable. For instance, in a history class, students might create a multimedia exhibit about a historical event, integrating research, design, and presentation skills. Here are 3 things to keep in mind:
- Students develop new skills and knowledge are applied to solution development
- Students work collaboratively to engage in discussion and multiple perspectives during development of solution
- Students self-manage during process
Such projects not only solidify content knowledge but also equip students with transferable skills like teamwork and digital literacy.
Active Exploration: Promoting Inquiry and Discovery
Active exploration empowers students to investigate and construct knowledge independently. Inquiry-driven projects encourage students to ask questions, conduct research, and experiment. Students have opportunities to grapple and engage in the learning pit while managing their learning. Often times, we see the active exploration phase happening at the end of class, however, we advocate for this to happen at the start of class! This will lead to further engagement as well as authentic need to knows while providing a runway for teachers to respond instructionally to the needs of learners. For instance, a math teacher could have students analyze local traffic patterns (such as school parking lot) and propose solutions for congestion using statistical models. This hands-on approach helps students take ownership of their learning.
Adult Connections: Collaborating Beyond the Classroom
Bringing in mentors, community experts, or industry professionals elevates PBL experiences. Last year we wrote a blog about different ways to use adult connections, if you like Garth Brooks, you will love the blog! Adult connections provide students with insights into the professional world while lending credibility to their work. At the same time, don’t overcomplicate it! Use technology to have adult connections so you can save the video for use later! This will also help expand your reach to people just outside of the local community. For example, an English class studying persuasive writing might partner with local journalists or authors to refine their skills. Or using teacher or educators in a TK/K class to launch a project on “how we use the patterns of the earth to predict the weather.” These interactions inspire students and offer valuable feedback on their work.
Assessment: Evaluating Process and Product
Effective assessment in PBL goes beyond a final product. It includes formative assessments (lots of formative assessments) that monitor student progress, peer evaluations, and reflections on the learning process. Here are 7 assessment strategies to jumpstart your journey. Teachers can use success criteria, exemplars and rubrics aligned with both project goals and academic standards to ensure clear expectations. For instance, in a STEM project, assessment criteria must included science learning out comes and might also include innovation, collaboration and agency. Regular check-ins with students throughout the process and the class ensure students stay on track while allowing room for iterative improvement.
Integrating PBL with Subject Matter Outcomes
To align PBL with curriculum goals, start by identifying the learning outcomes and work backward. Define the success criteria for students to provide clarity in the learning outcomes. Ask: What do students need to know and do? What authentic problems or tasks align with these goals? For example, a language arts class focusing on persuasive writing might design a campaign to address a school issue, such as promoting mental health awareness. This approach ensures that projects remain grounded in educational objectives while engaging students in meaningful work. Note- integrating various subject matters is very complex and can be challenging, it is ok to go slow to go far!
Conclusion
Re-engaging students in today’s classrooms requires a thoughtful balance of rigor, relevance, and creativity. By leveraging the 6A’s framework, educators can design PBL experiences that captivate students, cultivate critical skills, and achieve subject matter outcomes. When students see the connection between their learning and the world around them, education becomes not just a requirement but a powerful journey of discovery.
