Projects

= = =Project Based Learning Project Ideas = The projects are organized by grade level, but may be adapted and used at any grade level.

=__High School projects __=

//Increase the health of a wetland/pond //
 __Big Idea:__ Ecology  __Overview:__ Wetlands are an important ecological niche for many species, but they are becoming scarce, in part, due to urbanization. It is becoming a necessity that we take care of the wetlands and small bodies of water that we have available, in order to preserve those habitats for the creatures that rely on them.  __Essential question:__ How can we get more wildlife to utilize our pond?  __Guiding activities:__ Research wetland/pond habitats  Perform water quality tests and analyze results  Contact local fish and wildlife for advice on where to begin and to answer any questions.

//How to create a STEM environment in the school //
 __Big Idea__: School culture  __Overview__: With many schools adopting a STEM initiative, changes need to occur, both physical and mental, in classrooms. STEM classrooms should have a different look and feel than other classrooms. Also, students need an understanding of STEM and how it can shape their careers.  __Essential question__: How do we start a STEM movement in our school?  __Guiding activities__: Research an industrial room design and decoration for the STEM rooms. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Give surveys to students asking about what they know about STEM or what would motivate them to take STEM classes. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Organize an informational session to have with students to educate and motivate them about STEM.

//<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Increase voter awareness //
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Big Idea__: Elections <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Overview__: Students should understand how important it is to exercise their right to vote. Being involved in the election process at a young age will teach students about the process and how to learn what they need to know to make an informed decision. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Essential question__: How do I know who should get my vote? <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Guiding activities__: Research each of the candidates and compile a handout that lists how the candidates view different topics <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Students can also stage a mock debate between candidates and allow the public to come and watch. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Survey the community to see what keeps them from voting during elections.

//<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Design a bridge //
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Big Idea__: Math <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Overview__: Engineering and math skills are needed to design bridges. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Essential question__: How is a bridge constructed? <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Guiding activities__: Take measurements for an area that needs a footbridge. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Research bridge design and decide on a design that works best for the area in question. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Draw a blueprint of the bridge to be constructed.

//<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Increase awareness of art/music in the community //
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Big Idea__: Art appreciation <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Overview__: The arts are usually the hardest hit program when budget cuts affect a K-12 school system. This results in a reduction of student opportunities in the fine arts. Increasing appreciation of the arts through community involvement will benefit the programs at the K-12 level. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Essential question__: How do we increase art awareness and appreciation in the community. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Guiding activities__: Research to design a setup for displaying artwork <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Contact local artists and musicians to take part in the program <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Organize the schedule for the day <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Advertise the event to the community

//<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Increase cultural awareness outside of the classroom. //
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Big Idea__: Cultural awareness <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Overview__: Students in rural communities have little knowledge of other cultures. The foreign language classes in these schools represent a perfect opportunity to learn more about the culture of other ethnic groups and then share that knowledge with the community. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Essential question__: How do we increase cultural awareness in our community? <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Guiding activities__: Research Spanish and/or Mexican culture and community <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Contact community members to participate or volunteer <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Create a schedule for the day and advertise for the event

=__Middle School Projects__=

//<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">What are my career choices? //
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Big Idea__: Careers <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Overview__: Students at the middle school level are usually learning about themselves and the things that interest them. Many times, students are not aware of the opportunities they have with respect to career choices. Introducing career choices at this age will help to motivate students and direct them to the appropriate classes for their future career. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Essential question__: What are my career choices? <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Guiding activities__: Survey students to find interest level in different careers <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Research various careers and contact people in those fields to answer questions or speak to the class. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Find a location for the career fair <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Organize the schedule for the career fair.

//<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Estimate the cost of a new basketball court //
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Big Idea__: Math <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Overview__: In order to assist the school board, students will use their math skills to determine the cost of replacing the basketball court. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Essential question__: How much will we have to spend to replace the basketball court? <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Guiding activities__: Measure the size of the basketball court <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Research the cost of materials and labor <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Prepare a report to present to the school board summarizing the findings.

//<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Reduce water use in the school //
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Big Idea__: Ecology <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Overview__: Water is an important resource. We need to find ways to conserve water in our school. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Essential question__: How can we reduce water usage in the school? <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Guiding activities__: Research water usage in the school. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Survey students and staff about water usage in the school <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Calculate money saved by implementing new strategies. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Prepare a report to present to school board.

//<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Podcasts for walking history tour //
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Big Idea__: History <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Overview__: Some local history sites do not have guided tours and finding information about the site can be time consuming. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Essential question__: How can we educate the public about our local historical sites? <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Guiding activities__: Research to find information about local historical sites. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Create podcasts to teach people about the sites <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Create a website to post the podcasts on so that the public can access them.

=<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">__Elementary/Primary Projects__ =

//<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Increase diversity of wildlife around the school or other location. //
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Big Idea__: Ecology <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Overview__: In order to study and observe wildlife, an area will be set aside and maintained as a specific habitat for that wildlife. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Essential question__: How can we increase the diversity of wildlife around the school? <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Guiding activities__: Research local wildlife and habitats to assist in the design of the new area. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Find an area that can be designated as a wildlife habitat <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Contact local fish and wildlife to assist and answer questions. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Contact local businesses for donations of money or supplies.

//<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">What’s with the coupon craziness? //
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Big Idea__: Money Management <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Overview__: With household budgets tight, saving a few dollars at the grocery store would be beneficial. Students can learn to use coupons and weekly specials to assist their families in saving money. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Essential question__: How can we save money at the supermarket? <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Guiding activities__: Spend time at home making a list of what items are purchased at the grocery store. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Look over weekly circulars and coupons to find ways for the family to save money. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Calculate savings when using weekly sales and coupons and then compile a report to present those findings

//<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Increase recycling in the school //
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Big Idea__: Recycling <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Overview__: Recycling has become a necessity. Setting a culture of reuse and recycling in the school will help to make more ecologically conscious students. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Essential question__: How can we increase recycling in the school? <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> __Guiding activities__: Research ways to increase recycling in a school. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Devise a plan to have the recycling picked up and taken to the recycling center <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Research ways that recycling is beneficial to the community <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Prepare a presentation to show to the student body to increase recycling efforts. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"> Contact local businesses for donations of money or supplies.

//<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Developing healthy eating habits //
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">__Big Idea__: Nutrition <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">__Overview__: Childhood obesity is a problem in the US today. Schools have the opportunity to help teach students healthy eating habits and keep childhood obesity from becoming an epidemic. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">__Essential question__: How can we help to develop healthy eating habits? <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">__Guiding activities__: Survey classmates to see what types of snacks they usually eat. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Research foods/snacks to find which are healthiest and why they are healthy. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Host a tasting party to expose students to new snacks and get their opinion on the healthy snacks. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Make a newsletter to report to parents about the healthy snacks and their findings.

=<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">__Links to websites with other sample project ideas__ =

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">[|Challengebasedlearning.org] [|Project Based Learning (similar to CBL)]