PBL Blog

Search Keywords

Teaching Engineering the Way Engineers Work: Gold Standard PBL in a Detroit Classroom

At University Prep Science and Math High School in Detroit, engineering teacher Jack Pierick runs his Principles of Engineering and Conceptual Design classes the way real engineers work: start with a problem, prototype, test, and improve. Pierick's advice to teachers starting with PBL: expect things to go wrong, reflect after every class, and remember that reaching even one student makes it worthwhile.

Students travel to US/Mexico border on field trip

Projects in Action

Traveling to Explore Complexities of PBL Topics

How visits to local sites opens students' minds about controversial issues in projects on immigration, criminal justice, and energy policy.

Students presenting their project at an exhibition

Projects in Action

Powerful PBL Ingredients: Authenticity, Co-Teaching, Community Connection, & Iteration

A project with the driving question, "How can we identify problems and create practical solutions to support communities impacted by natural disasters?"

Projects in Action

The Night of Beliefs Project and To Kill a Mockingbird

An English Language Arts project asks students to examine their own beliefs in light of the famous novel and express them in a community event.

a group of students around a coach who is giving instructions

Projects in Action

When PBL Hits the Gym

Why and how physical education teachers should use PBL, with a sample PBL unit.

Student and teacher reviewing project on computer

Projects in Action

Using PBL to Figure Out Social Media and Screen Time

Students create guidelines for parents on teens' use of social media, using resources from Common Sense Media.

Young students working on a project together

Projects in Action

Chaos, Kindness, and Kindergarten

A project that went beyond expectations, in which children planned and carried out a kindness campaign to help others in their community and beyond.

black and white photo of Hamlet holding a skull to his cheek

Projects in Action

The “Living Is…” Podcast Project: Connecting Hamlet to Our Lives

Students create podcasts to answer the driving question, inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet: What is the difference between living and existing?

Projects in Action

An Authentic Writing Project for English Learners

A project in which high school students studied a social justice issue of their choice and published their writing online.

Projects in Action

13 Projects About Immigration

A list of sample projects for exploring issues of immigration in the U.S., with links.

PBL Blog

Teaching Engineering the Way Engineers Work: Gold Standard PBL in a Detroit Classroom

Don't miss a thing! Get PBL resources, tips and news delivered to your inbox.