Research: The objective of project-based learning is to engage students in projects that will help them learn content and skills in ways that traditional nose-to-textbook methods can’t offer. When learning is connected to real world situations it becomes relevant to students’ lives and provides the foundation for deeper, more joyful learning, and better retention. Aside from building critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, project-based learning also encourages independence, collaboration, communication, goal-setting, and creativity.
Practice: Project-based learning is a critical avenue for students whose learning style favors kinesthetic or “hands-on” activities. Our students take up a myriad of projects each year at all ages and grades, ranging from constructing a milk jug igloo to better understand geometry, to combining a Physics of Flight course with actual flying lessons to understand the principles of physics, to participating in a crime to learn about forensic science. By engaging themselves in every detail of a project, students learn lessons they’ll never forget. It’s not only fun…it’s learning at its finest!
Tuesday, October 30th – Mike Bauer, Kenmore Safeway Manager, welcomed the Tuesday Service Learning class into his store to explain how the grocery industry operated. He took the kids on a tour, explaining profit margin, product placement and how to run a successful store. The students had an opportunity to have a question and answer period afterwards. This hands-on experience would not have been achievable in a classroom. Thank you Mike.