project in education examples

20 Examples Of Project-Based Learning

From reducing environmental damage to imagining new forms of government, here are 20 examples of project-based learning.

20 Examples Of Project-Based Learning For A Modern World

by TeachThought Staff

In 13 Brilliant Outcomes Of Project-Based Learning , we gave a quick example of project-based learning to illustrate the relationship between learning objectives and the products and artifacts produced by project-based learning.

“As the name implies, project-based learning is simply learning through projects. What is being learned and how that learning is being measured isn’t strictly dictated by the project and any products or artifacts within that project. Rather, the reverse should be true: the desired learning objectives should help dictate the products and artifacts within the project.

For example, instead of wanting students to plan a garden as the core of the project, then deciding which learning objectives and academic standards fit that idea, planning backward–looking first at the learning objectives and academic standards, then brainstorm project ideas and components of that project (audience, purpose, duration, etc.) This can be useful in making sure that in the course of completing the project, they are actually learning what you want them to learn. That is, you can help align the work of the project with the desired learning outcomes and objectives.”

With that in mind, we thought it’d be useful to actually provide some real-world examples of project-based learning (as we’ve done in the past with project-based learning examples in math ). They are more or less grade-agnostic though most lend themselves. as stated, more towards late middle and high school.

Obviously, these are just examples of project-based learning but not necessarily examples of how and why these ideas are considered ‘pbl’ why others may not be. For that, we’d have to explain and illustrate different scenarios for each project, then anticipate and annotate the learning process itself–especially in light of specific learning objectives. The difference between projects and project-based learning is a crucial shift and without that shift, these are just ideas for projects.

However, that would be a short book in and of itself and is beyond the scope of our purpose here: to communicate what project-based learning might actually look like–especially in a ‘modern’ world. What actually makes each project idea actually an example of project-based learning depends on how the project is mapped out and planned, what learning is assessed and how, the degree of agency and voice the student is allowed, the period of time over which the ‘project’ is ‘completed,’ and so on. There is, obviously, a lot to consider.

See also What Is Project-Based Learning?

With that mind, here are 20 examples of project-based learning in a modern world with resources and technology available in most communities.

1. Planning a garden that meets specific design objectives, then plant and tend the garden. At the end of the growing season, iterate the design to improve it for the next season based on how the garden was or was not successful in meeting the objectives.

2. Launching a recycling program that solves an identified problem with existing recycling programs. This can be done at a household-level, school-level, neighborhood-level, or city-level.

3. Analyzing the five most popular social media platforms for teens, then predict and design a new platform based on existing trends and past trajectory of change.

4. Creating ‘visibility’ for something beautiful, useful, or otherwise deserving of attention that currently is under-appreciated (e.g., music, parks, people, acts of kindness, effort, movies, nature, etc.)

5. Mashing three existing video games together (i.e., the core ideas in those games) to create a new game. Obviously this wouldn’t be done digitally but through annotated planning and ‘blueprint’ design.

6. Solving the problem of negative and/or ‘fake news.’

7. Designing a new form of government (or democracy, specifically) that addresses some perceived shortcoming of existing democratic forms (partisanship, non-functioning checks-and-balances, etc.)

8. Helping local businesses increase environmental sustainability (e.g., reduce waste).

9. Creating an interactive family tree with voice-overs from living family members.

10. Documenting the ‘important’ stories from your family (immediate or extended), focusing on older generations first. Help your family tell their story by telling all of their individual stories, then come up with a way to ‘publish’ that story (likely only sharing it with the family itself).

11. Inventorying the world’s most compelling ideas in an elegant and browsable interface.

12. Imagining a dating app in 2050 considering anticipated shifts in technology (e.g., biotechnology) and social norms (e.g., gender, sexuality, class, etc.)

13. Identifying, analyzing, and visualizing recurring themes in human history; then contextualize those themes in modern society.

14. Choosing an issue you claim to be ‘important’ to you, then somehow addressing or supporting that issue with real-world work. Afterwards, documenting the learning process and what you learned and how that might change your approach next time.

15. With current trends in climate change in mind, one example of project-based learning might be to design a modern city for the year 2100 (clean-sheet design), or re-imagine existing cities and how they might cope with climate change.

16. Capturing, documenting, and sharing the wisdom of people living in nursing homes. Alternative: Interpreting very narrow and specific expertise for real-world application. For example, take knowledge of robotics or astrophysics or agriculture or music or theater, then somehow ‘apply’ that expertise in an authentic and real-world setting.

17. Dissecting the ‘anatomy’ of viral web content, memes, or social media arguments.

18. Launching a profitable business with actual documentation of real-world business metrics: profit, loss, cost control, etc. (depending on the nature of the product, service, or platform).

19. Artfully illustrating the global history of human/civil rights for the last 2000 years in one image, visual, or artifact.

20. Creating a photo documentary, then turning that into a film documentary, then turning that into a series of short social media videos.

Bonus: Restore something broken or beautiful.

TeachThought is an organization dedicated to innovation in education through the growth of outstanding teachers.

NextLesson Blog

Connect learning to the real world, 100+ project-based learning ideas for every age.

This blog series was authored by our own A.J. Juliani, Head of Learning & Growth.

“Everything begins with an idea.” – Earl Nightingale

When I started on my Project-Based Learning journey, I always wondered what other teachers were already doing with PBL in classrooms around the country and world. I remember joining Ning sites and finding other teachers who were doing PBL, it was like a dream come true to chat and discuss and learn.

With the growth of Twitter, blogging, and conference I was able to meet educators from around the world who have inspired me to go deeper into Project-Based Learning. Their ideas were what got me started documenting projects and step-by-step practices that would enhance any PBL experience.

PBL is growing because it engages and empowers students to learn experientially and share that learning in new and unique ways that go well beyond the classroom. Yet, many teachers are asking: How do we plan and implement PBL? How do we “fit it in” our current curriculum? How do we assess it using our current grading guidelines? How do we manage this type of learning?

These are all real concerns and questions that cannot be dismissed. PBL takes time to plan, implement, manage, and assess. Then it takes time to tweak, improve, and highlight.

If you asked any teacher, administrator, parent, school board member, student, or community member to list their top goals for an academic program, you would see achievement, 21st-century competencies, equity, and motivation all at the top.

Project-based learning is shown to work in all kinds of schools, in all different grade levels, with students of varying backgrounds and abilities.

So, if this is what the research says about PBL, then why do we still have so many schools falling into the test prep trap? Why do some many teachers feel like they cannot make the jump into PBL? Why haven’t we seen a nationwide movement towards PBL as a best and effective practice for all students?

It comes back to HOW to do PBL in the midst of standards and curriculum. I’ve put together a free workshop to show you the 5-step process to do just that.

I’m holding three workshops this week (for K-5, 6-12, and school leaders):

• For Elementary Teachers (K-5 Workshop)
• For Middle School and High School Teachers (6-12 Workshop)
• For School Leaders (Admin and Central Office Workshop)

Ideas to Get You Started

Grades 6-8 ela, grades 6-8 social studies, grades 6-8 science, grades 6-8 math, grades 9-12 ela, grades 9-12 math, grades 9-12 science, grades 9-12 social studies.

It comes back to HOW to do PBL in the midst of standards and curriculum. I’ve put together a free workshop to show you the 5-step process to do just that. You don’t need to start from scratch, instead, you can get a jumpstart on the process.

You can sign-up to be a part of the training right here! If you can’t make the time, please sign-up so you can get the recording.

Are you ready to hit the ground running? Let’s get started!

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Blog Education 10+ Project Based Learning Examples for Educators

10+ Project Based Learning Examples for Educators

Written by: Rada Abdo Jun 02, 2020

As a teacher, lesson planning can be time-consuming. I often spend hours on Pinterest searching for project ideas to enhance my teaching.

Project-based learning (PBL) shifts from the traditional teaching style to a more dynamic approach. Mastering PBL takes years, not days or weeks. It allows teachers to grow alongside their students, becoming easier with practice.

This guide offers project-based learning examples to inspire and engage your students. For even more ideas and tools, try using Venngage’s Education Content Maker or get started with one of our education templates to spark creativity in your classroom.

Table of Contents

What is project based learning?

10 project based learning examples to enhance student engagement, what are the important elements of project based learning, what are the benefits of project based learning, is project based learning effective, outcomes of pbl.

Project based learning is a teaching method that allows students to gain knowledge by requiring them to work for an extended period of time to investigate a complex problem or question.

Students are given the freedom and opportunity to explore real world problems and develop a deeper and more enriched understanding.

In this guide, we’ll look at project based learning examples to help you inspire and excite your students.

We know that teaching is a skill that requires a lot of planning and that people underestimate the amount of time it takes to create a thorough lesson plan, let alone an entire in depth project. 

The project based learning examples below will help to bring creativity in the way that your students present their information. Your students can use the templates for their projects, or you can use the templates as teaching resources for yourself.

Click to jump ahead:

• Building bridges with list infographics
• Writing to a Congressman with a letterhead template
• Develop a business plan
• Write a blog post to share your learning
• Compare a movie and book with a presentation
• Create a fundraising campaign for an issue you care about
• Create a family tree with a tree diagram
• Plan a community event
• Help businesses decrease environmental impact with flyers
• Use a tracking calendar to monitor your plant growth

Read More:  27+ Lesson Plan Examples for Effective Teaching

1. Building bridges with list infographics

Building bridges is a great project that allows teachers to implement all aspects of S.T.E.M. It requires a lot of problem solving skills and builds on competitive learning skills as well. Using a lesson plan template to create your criteria helps to keep your work organized:

List infographics are a great way to make things easy to remember in a creative way. Certain projects may require a long list of materials from your students, such as this bridge project. In order to keep track of their materials and keep students organized, a list is integral. 

Below are 2 great example of list infographics:

2. Writing to a Congressman with a letterhead template

A good project based learning example is one that can incorporate many different aspects of learning. Not only does this project based example develop writing skills, it takes learners beyond that.

By writing to a congressman students are moving beyond just writing a letter about their research and moving them towards taking action about it by expressing their opinions about an issue they care about. It encourages students to be agents of change by using their civic voice with elected officials. 

Below are great letterhead examples that can be customized to incorporate colour, a border, and a header. Your students will feel like professionals as they’re creating their letters. It could be powerful enough to get their letters noticed and read, with a possible response! 

Below are a couple of great examples to get you started:

Professional blue letterhead template

Creative letterhead template

3. Develop a business plan

This project based learning example allows students to work in groups to develop a business plan. 

Beginning with developing a concept, then doing market research and competitor analysis and ending off with a financial plan. These templates have outlines and examples prepared so that students don’t feel so overwhelmed and can pitch their ideas with ease and confidence.

Related reading: An in-depth guide to creating a business plan that you can share with your students.

The business plan templates below will ensure that any business plan created by students looks professional and inspiring. It may even lead to coming to life!

Here’s a business plan template your students can use:

4. Write a blog post to share your learning

Blog posts are great creative ideas for students to take ownership of their own learning in an expressive way. Instead of writing a traditional essay, a blog post will display the same information but with a kick. Blog posts are also a good asset to include for their portfolios, to help improve their personal brand. 

You don’t need to worry about having to do all the research on how to write a blog post and what to avoid. Sharing an infographic with your students that outlines the steps of how to create a blog post will help them understand the success criteria of their projects. 

When you visualize information, it’s harder to miss important information. Everything is in front of you and is easy to read.

Below are two infographics that explain how to write a blog and what mistakes to avoid that can be easily share with your students:

USE THIS infogRaphic TEMPLATE

5. Compare a movie and book with a presentation

Comparing a book to its movie adaptation is a fun project that incorporates a lot of learning skills. Reading, writing, analysis, with a touch of entertainment as well. The ideas are endless in the different tasks that could be done, what makes it easy is to display all the information by creating a presentation. 

The examples below include important elements to creating a great presentation design . Some of these include:

• Using text size, weight, and color for emphasis
• Including less texts and including only important information
• Emphasizing key points with text and images

Creative presentation template

Whimsical presentation template

6. Create a fundraising campaign for an issue you care about

Another great project based learning example is creating a fundraising campaign. Students again have an opportunity to be agents of change for an issue that they genuinely care about. 

Here is an example of how students can use a timeline infographic template to plan a fundraiser:

Once students have completed their planning, they can use a poster design to create an event which outlines all the details of their campaign.

Important elements of a poster include:

• Considering the target audience
• Including a clear call to action
• Using icons and visuals to improve the poster design

Fundraising poster template

7. Create a family tree with a tree diagram

A good real world question is: how does your family ancestry make you a unique person? Students will have to dive deep into their family history to answer that question. One of the outcomes may be that they make a family tree to trace back who was a part of their lineage. 

Using a family tree template helps eliminate disorganization and helps students stay focused. After designing their family tree, students can easily share it with their family members online!

Below are examples of family tree diagram templates students can use:

8. Plan a community event

Planning a community event takes a lot of work. Students have an opportunity to create change in their communities and take action. After doing the research in terms of food, theme, and decorations – students can create a proposal demonstrating how the event may look and cost. 

The end result of the planning would be creating the actual event poster . Students can make their planning into reality and be the change makers in their community. 

Some poster design tips:

• Leave plenty of white space on your poster
• Keep your poster design simple and professional
• Optimize your poster for social media to reach a bigger audience

To get started, here are some event poster templates:

9. Help businesses decrease environmental impact with flyers

The best projects are those that include multiple subjects in one.

Students can create digital flyers to inform businesses about ways to decrease their environmental impact by “going green”. They can share it with companies that are known to not be environmentally conscious. This is a great way of culminating their research. 

Below are some great examples of flyer templates that students can customize into their own by changing colors, fonts, and the text. 

10. Use a tracking calendar to monitor your plant growth

Students can learn all about plant by observing their growth patterns. They could learn about parts of the plant, what plants need to grow, and the functions of the plant. 

Students can track the progress of their plant growth by inputting their observations into each day of the week:

1. Significant content

This is where you outline learning goals. Looking at your standards and referring to them frequently is helpful. You don’t need to stress yourself and fit every learning standard, but enough to ensure you’re meeting some of them. 

2. A need to know

Creating a “hook” for the introduction of a project is important to get your students interested and engaged. Its purpose is to generate the curiosity of the classroom. It could be in the form of a video, a guest speaker, or a lively discussion. The driving questions should be abstract enough to get your students wanting more.

3. Driving question

This is the question that your students will be working towards answering with in-depth inquiry. It should have a sense of challenge and purpose. Every activity will work towards the answers to this question. The question should be complex enough that it cannot be answered with one google search.

4. Voice and choice by students

This is the fun part of the planning for students. Ownership comes into play in this stage of their project based learning because they get to set their own learning paths.  Below we outline many project based learning examples such as brochures, infographics , tree diagrams and more that allow students to choose what medium they would like to display their information in.

To spark your curiosity, here are some project based learning examples your students can use to display their learning:

• Presentations
• Newsletters

5. 21st century skills

Use of technology, collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thinking are all 21st century skills that authentic tasks should require. 

6. In depth inquiry and innovation

Students will be spending the most of their time working on this stage. This is where they will be finding answers to the many questions that will evolve as they conduct their research. They will be using websites, books, articles, and videos to dive deep into the subject they’re exploring. All this gathered information will be used to create their product.

7. Reflection and revision

At this stage, students will use rubrics, exemplars, peer editing, and feedback from their teacher to create high quality work. It’s an ongoing process that is a great way to self reflect on the process and drives students to continue improving. 

8. Public presentation

Time to show off all the hard work that students put into their projects in a public setting! It doesn’t have to be just to classmates, it can be to larger audiences including parents, experts, or a larger community. Public also doesn’t have to be in front of a live audience, it could be online as well. Students can brainstorm what they see best fit in terms of how they would like to present their own projects.

Other important elements to consider in project based learning:

• Does this project require innovation and critical thinking skills?
• Does this project include information, media, and technological skills?
• Does this project involve life and career skills?

• Engagement: Students are more likely to be engaged in their schooling when they feel autonomy over their own learning. Project based learning allows students to be drivers of their own learning. 
• Teach and assess multiple skills: Teachers have multiple assessment opportunities to test different skills.
• Differentiation: Students with various learning styles and differences are accommodated since PBL showcases a broad range of capabilities.
• Accountability: Students take greater responsibility for their own learning. 

Project based learning has been proven to be effective in the classroom. Many reports globally have been published encouraging educators to use the project based learning approach to deepen and enrich their student learning.

“One of the major advantages of project work is that it makes school more like real life. It’s an in-depth investigation of a real-world topic worthy of children’s attention and effort.”- Education researcher Sylvia Chard

The benefits of project based learning are endless. It allows for authentic assessment, promotes lifelong learning, and prepares students to develop skills for a highly technological society. Project based learning allows students to learn by doing–from language, to  data science , to history. 

A well designed project based learning experience will have great outcomes . 

Here is a great visual outlining all the different positive outcomes of project based learning:

Get started with project based learning in your classroom so that you can develop critical skills for your students. If you’ve already started and are just looking for more ideas and tools, this guide is also great for you. Whatever your teaching needs may be, your students will appreciate accessing so many of the template examples. 

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65+ Real-World Project-Based Learning Ideas for All Ages and Interests

Find and implement solutions to real-world problems.

Project-based learning is a hot topic in many schools these days, as educators work to make learning more meaningful for students. As students conduct hands-on projects addressing real-world issues, they dig deeper and make personal connections to the knowledge and skills they’re gaining. But not just any project fits into this concept. Learn more about strong project-based learning ideas, and find examples for any age or passion.

What is project-based learning?

Project-based learning (PBL) uses real-world projects and student-directed activities to build knowledge and skills. Kids choose a real-world topic that’s meaningful to them (some people call these “passion projects”), so they’re engaged in the process from the beginning. These projects are long-term, taking weeks, months, or even a full semester or school year. Students may complete them independently or working in small groups. Learn much more about project-based learning here.

What makes a good PBL project?

In many ways, PBL is more like the work adults do in their daily jobs, especially because student efforts have potential real-world effects. A strong PBL project:

• Addresses a real-world issue or problem
• Requires sustained and independent inquiry, in and out of the classroom
• Allows students voice and choice throughout the project
• Combines elements of many disciplines
• Includes collaboration with public partners, such as universities, community organizations, or businesses
• Produces a public product that is seen by those outside the school community
• Covers a complete process, including activities like research, design, production, marketing or public awareness, and enlisting supporters or investors

Outdoor Project-Based Learning Ideas

• Create a new local park, or improve an existing one by adding new features or providing needed maintenance.
• Plant a community garden to provide food for a soup kitchen, food pantry, or other organization.
• Design and create a butterfly, pollinator, or other wildlife garden to support the local ecosystem.
• Build a new walking or biking trail that’s safe for people of all ages to use.
• Devise and implement a way to reduce litter in your community.
• Set up and manage a school or community compost pile, and distribute the resulting soil to those who need it most.
• Find and help the public use a new way to grow food that requires less soil, water, or fertilizers, which are in short supply in some parts of the world.
• Design, build, and install a completely unique piece of playground equipment that serves a specific purpose or need.

School Community Project-Based Learning Ideas

• Start a comprehensive recycling program at school, or substantially improve participation in an existing one.
• Add collaborative artwork like murals or other displays to school hallways, bathrooms, or grounds.
• Determine a location or program at your school that needs improvement, then make a plan, raise the funds, and implement your ideas.
• Come up with ways to celebrate your school’s diversity and improve relationships between all students.
• Start and run a school store , including inventory, financial plans, and marketing.
• Write a school handbook for new students, with tips and tricks for helping them feel at home.
• Figure out how to offer healthier, better-tasting meals and snacks in the school cafeteria.
• Implement a mentoring program for older students to help younger students, with planned activities and appropriate training for older students.
• Design and propose a new style of grading system that ensures equity.
• Find ways to improve the indoor recess experience at your school.
• Set up and run a new school newspaper, magazine, podcast, video channel, etc.

Greater Community Project-Based Learning Ideas

• Coordinate a community art project in a central location to celebrate local culture or artists.
• Set up a program for schoolkids to socialize with senior citizens in nursing homes, hospitals, or retirement communities.
• Create a program to offer free translation services for ESL families in the community.
• Help a local animal shelter improve its facilities, or find new ways to match homeless pets with their forever families.
• Build and maintain Little Free Libraries around your community, especially in underserved areas.
• Help local businesses become more environmentally conscious, increasing sustainability and decreasing waste.
• Create and lead a walking tour of your community, highlighting its culture, history, landmarks, and more.
• Find a way to record and celebrate local voices in your community’s history.
• Come up with ideas for welcoming immigrants and other newcomers to your community.
• Set up a series of events that will encourage the community to mix and experience each others’ foods, cultures, and more.
• Create and implement a new program to inspire a love of books and reading in preschool students.
• Set up and help run a new charitable organization your community needs.

Social Issues Project-Based Learning Ideas

• Start an awareness campaign on a topic that’s important to you, like anti-bullying, healthy living, protecting the environment, civil rights, equality and equity, etc.
• Come up with and implement ways to increase voter turnout in your community, especially among younger voters.
• Write, record, and share with a wider audience your own TED Talk–style video on an issue that hasn’t been covered yet or on which you have a unique perspective.
• Devise and implement ways for unheard voices to be amplified in your school or community.
• Write and publicly perform a play that highlights a social issue that’s important to you.
• Look for areas in your community that present challenges to those with disabilities, and help to improve them to overcome those challenges.
• Research, write, and publicly present and defend a position paper on an issue that’s important to your community.
• Choose a real court case, then research the law and work with legal experts to prepare and present your own case as you would in a courtroom.
• Write, edit, seek, and incorporate real-world feedback, and publish or publicly present your own book, poem, or song on an issue that’s important to you.
• Start a program to teach a specific group (e.g., preschoolers, senior citizens, business owners) to care for and protect the environment.
• Plan and hold a fundraiser to support an issue you care about.
• Choose a law you feel is unjust, and write, research, and publicly present and defend a position paper about your desired change.

STEM Project-Based Learning Ideas

• Create an app that meets a specific purpose for a specific audience.
• Invent something new that the world needs, and then fund, create, and sell your product in the community.
• Design a game to help students learn important STEM concepts.
• Find a simple way to improve an existing product, especially if it cuts costs or improves environmental sustainability.
• Explore ways to reduce the amount of waste we produce, especially plastic and other landfill-bound items.
• Write a book or graphic novel that’s entertaining but also teaches kids about science or math.
• Devise new ways to provide clean drinking water to communities where water is scarce.
• Build an effective solar oven people can use to cook during extended power outages, or in areas where electricity isn’t available.
• Work with a university or STEM organization to gather, analyze, and present real-world scientific data.
• Design a building to fit a specific purpose or need, including researching the requirements and zoning laws, accurately drafting a plan, determining the costs, and presenting the plan to the proposed client.
• Create an interactive hands-on exhibit to teach people about STEM concepts.
• Determine a type of website you believe is missing, then research, build, and publish the site you envision.

Creative Arts Project-Based Learning Ideas

• Organize an art show for the community, seeking out those who ordinarily might not have a chance to display their work.
• Create and teach an art class in your area of expertise to children, the elderly, or another segment of the population.
• Design a mural for an area in your community that needs beautification, and seek funding or other assistance from community members to install it.
• Write a play about a topic that’s meaningful to you or your community. Work with the community to stage a performance for all to attend.
• Invite local dancers to perform at a school or community Festival of Dance, highlighting a variety of cultures and dance styles.
• Start a regular writer’s workshop where community writers can come together to share and seek feedback. Invite local authors or publishing experts to speak as guests.
• Collect stories, poems, and essays from local authors, and put them together into a book. Sell the book to raise money for a cause that’s important to local writers.
• Gather singers or instrumentalists from your community into a choir or band. Put on a concert to raise money for a special cause, or take your choir on tour to local retirement homes, hospitals, etc.
• Write a song about a person or cause that’s important to you. Produce and record the song, then find a way to share it with others.
• Make a short film about a local hero, community event, or local place. Invite others to do the same, and organize a local film festival.

What are some your favorite project-based learning ideas? Come share your thoughts in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook !

Plus, meaningful service learning projects for kids and teens ..

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What Is Project-Based Learning and How Can I Use It With My Students?

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10 Project Based Learning (PBL) Examples

If you’ve spent any amount of time in a K–12 classroom, you’ve likely heard about project-based learning (PBL). 

It’s more than just an education buzzword or catch-all for hands-on projects—if implemented properly, PBL can help young learners retain more knowledge, grow their understanding of the world around them, and even identify career possibilities for the future. This form of learning is an excellent way to engage students in their own education and prepare them for success in the real world. Perhaps most importantly, project-based learning can help students develop 21st century skills they’ll carry with them their entire lives, such as critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration. 

PBL can be used in any subject area and is adaptable to any grade level. It is an especially effective way to engage learners of differing abilities, including English language learners and students with special needs.

In this blog post, you’ll find 10 examples of PBL engagements you can try in your own K–12 classroom. You’ll be amazed at how PBL can transform your content! 

Explore project-based learning principles for elementary schools >>

Overview of Project-based Learning

Project-based learning is a mode of instruction that gives learners the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in the classroom. In PBL, classrooms are organized so that students work together on real-world tasks or problems. By inviting students to engage in hands-on learning activities, they acquire and solidify knowledge in a way that directly applies to their lives. 

PBL is appropriate for students from preschool through grade 12 and beyond. It comprises activities like classroom debates, community service activities, field trips, language immersion programs, and much more. There is no set time for PBL engagements; some last less than one class period, while others, such as long-term research projects, can take over a year or more to complete.

To be considered a PBL engagement, an activity must incorporate most or all of the following seven criteria:

• An open-ended question, challenge, or problem
• An inquiry-based process that stimulates curiosity and generates questions
• The acquisition of new knowledge and skills that build upon prior knowledge
• The use of higher-level skills such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity
• The promotion of student voice and choice
• Opportunities for instructor or peer feedback and revision
• A public presentation of the problem, research processes, methods, and results

PBL is used frequently in STEM or STEAM instruction, since so much of our everyday lives is influenced by the pillars of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. For many students, a “learning by doing” approach can make a potentially intimidating or challenging subject much more manageable and “real.”

Among other benefits , PBL encourages critical thinking, connects a student’s education to the real world, supports long-term knowledge retention, and helps build lifelong curiosity and a love for learning. 

It is important to remember that PBL is not a one-size-fits-all approach — activities such as the ones in this article should be adapted to meet the needs of your students and the curriculum.

10 Real World Examples of Project-Based Learning in the Classroom

The following 10 examples of project-based learning can be adapted to any classroom, for any grade level, and to fit specific curriculum and individual student needs. 

As you examine these examples, notice where you see evidence of the criteria for high-quality PBL.

1. Create Your Own Website

Project Challenge: Design a solution to a problem. Create a website to advertise your solution with clear reasons and relevant evidence to influence buyers.

Using a website builder platform such as Wix or Squarespace, have students create their own website for a product or service of their choosing. Exercising both research and computer skills, students will research their topic, draft the content, design the layout, and test their site for usability. The design process should incorporate testing and critiquing their classmates’ websites, providing constructive feedback to improve the user experience. 

Use the purpose for the website to integrate the targeted learning outcomes into this project. Remember, high-quality project-based learning requires learners to learn and apply new skills and knowledge in order to complete the project.

Targeted Learning Outcomes:  

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1. Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.

2. PSA Video Project

Project Challenge: Create a PSA about a change you’d like to see here at school. Support your opinion by surveying stakeholders (classmates, teachers, parents, staff) and creating visual representations with pictures or bar graphs. 

Have your students work in teams to create videos in the style of a public service announcement. Ask them to choose an issue they feel strongly about and craft an informative or persuasive argument that might air during primetime television commercial breaks, before YouTube videos, or as a targeted ad on social media. Each group would be responsible for researching their topic, writing the script, and filming the video, with each step being broken into discrete tasks based on individual students’ interests and abilities.

This project naturally lends itself to English Language Arts, but project-based learning innately creates so much opportunity for cross curricular connections.

Targeted Learning Outcomes: 

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1 . Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.MD.B.3 . Draw a scaled picture graph and a scaled bar graph to represent a data set with several categories. Solve one- and two-step “how many more” and “how many less” problems using information presented in scaled bar graphs.

3. Take Action on Current Events

Project Challenge: How might a price increase on avocados impact certain communities’ access to fresh produce? 

Use a current event and a question like the example above to inspire research, learn about different cultures or history, etc. and then do something about it—even if it’s as simple as writing a letter to the CEO of Whole Foods or WalMart explaining your proposed solution.

Teach students the importance of objective reporting and presenting all of the facts without taking a personal stance; provide examples of award-winning journalism students can use as a reference. Ask them to consider not only the factual elements of the story, but also their larger implications. What might the public at large need to know about this event to make them concerned? 

Students can use their research to write an article, create a presentation, or even film a video in the style of a breaking news report. Research projects like this are an excellent way for students to learn about a complex topic, especially one that is directly relevant to their world. 

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.8 . Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is valid and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; identify false statements and fallacious reasoning.

Education isn’t about just filling your head with facts. It’s about taking knowledge and doing something novel with it. So once the students have that experience [in the SmartLab], they start to see that what they’re learning about is bigger than just a fact or concept. Learning is no longer a job; it becomes this adventure. — Brian Beierle, SmartLab Facilitator Prairie View Elementary School, East Troy, WI 

4. Model Bridge Engineering & Construction

Project Challenge: Use physics principles to design and build a safe, durable structure.

STEM projects are an excellent way to engage students in science, technology, engineering, and math. In this type of project, students learn and apply physics concepts and mathematical skills to design, build, and test a model bridge.

Students can work either individually or in small groups. They will need to research different types of bridges, consider the materials they will use, and test their bridge to see if it can hold weight. Once they present their findings to the class, students can test their bridges against others’ to determine what combination of materials and design results in the highest structural integrity. This type of project encourages students to think critically and apply their knowledge to real-world situations.

The SmartLab HQ is helping us develop students who are critical thinkers, communicators, and collaborators. We hope this type of project-based learning will empower our students to make meaningful contributions to the world and be true trailblazers. — Dr. Tracy Bonday, Head of School Ursuline Academy, New Orleans, LA

5. Create a Community Mural

Project Challenge: Facilitate a public art project by focusing on the logistical requirements, such as permitting, materials, and stakeholder input.

Public art breathes new life into the most unassuming places! In this type of project, students will brainstorm as a group to identify a viable space for a new wall mural, whether on school property or somewhere in the community. They will work together to secure the necessary permissions, create a budget, source materials, conceptualize, design, plan, and paint the art.

Arts projects are not only an excellent way for students to exercise their creativity, but planning the logistical side of public art installation helps students build and exercise project management skills, taking into account the input of multiple stakeholders.

Creating a budget and planning a mural requires lots of math thinking! Kindergarteners can measure the dimensions of the wall using nonstandard units of measurement, while middle schoolers can use equations to balance their budget with the size of the mural and material choices.

In the SmartLab, students are engaged in hands-on, problem-based learning. It’s not only different, it’s fun! — Jenny Ledin, SmartLab Facilitator Prairie View Elementary, East Troy, WI

6. Food Bank Awareness & Volunteering

Project Challenge: How can we use our research skills to spread awareness of a local food bank and increase their donations?

Incorporate a visit to the food bank to interview staff, collect information for marketing materials, and interview community members who utilize it and want others to know about its value. Students can then use this research to create and disseminate calls for donations and volunteers, as well as advertise the service to communities who may not be aware of it.

The service component of this project may take place during school, after school hours, or even on the weekend, but students can use time in class to research issues related to food insecurity in their community and even conceptualize sustainable solutions. Projects like these can help students integrate with the local community, allow them to connect their learning to real-word problems, and develop empathy and compassion for others.

The skills that are developed in the SmartLab HQs create good citizens and good humans. It builds on foundational skills and creates the ideal attitudes you want to see in the classroom. — Hallinan Elementary School, Lake Oswego, OR

7. Produce Your Own Podcast

Project Challenge: How can you convey a compelling story or message using only an audio medium?

Creating and producing a podcast is a great example of a topical technology project. Students can research their own topic, develop the script, record, and then publish the podcast on a hosting platform such as Podbean or Soundcloud . Each individual or group can connect their podcast to an existing curriculum unit or subject, or come up with a topic or genre of their choosing, focusing instead on learning and applying critical research and communication skills.

8. Field Trip with a Purpose

Project Challenge: Solve an environmental issue in your backyard.

Plan a field trip to study the effects of human activity on the natural environment. For example, if your school is near a coastal area with heavy trash buildup that impacts waterways and marine life, take a trip to the affected area to record observations, collect samples, and take measurements.

Students can also enlist the help and expertise of local environmental conservation experts, interviewing them and gaining a more robust understanding of the problem and possible solutions. Students use this information to 3D print solutions to mitigate this problem. Conservation experts return to hear the presentations of these potential solutions and provide feedback on their viability.

The Elementary SmartLab HQs have been game-changers by allowing our district to fully integrate and align STEAM programming for our K–12 students. The unique methods of engaging students in meaningful, inquiry-based learning experiences are quickly helping our learners develop a stronger STEAM identity, and they now see themselves and their futures differently. They believe they can change the future! — Clint Allison, Executive Director of Student Achievement Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8, Fountain, CO

9. Mock Trial

Project Challenge: How can you build a case that holds up in a court of law?

Mock trials are an excellent way for students to engage their critical thinking, problem-solving, and persuasive argument skills. In this type of project, students act as lawyers and witnesses in a simulated court case, learning about the legal system and how it works along the way.

Each student will take on a specific courtroom role, such as the judge, defense attorney, prosecution, and jury. Once the facts of the crime have been established, they will prepare their cases and simulate a real trial.

Use the “court case” to integrate language arts and history. Bring students into the past by centering your mock trial around a historical event with impacted populations being represented by the defendants and plaintiffs.

10. Shark Tank Pitch

Project Challenge: Craft a compelling business plan that will make investors want to fund your company.

The popular television reality show “Shark Tank” provides a window into the high-stakes reality of business startups. Using the show as a template, students will embark on their own mock startup ventures, including conducting market research, testing products, and working to convince investors to help fund their business. This project requires that students use their skills of research, persuasion, public speaking, budgeting, and collaboration.

You can even see if your local SCORE chapter is willing to send representatives to coach students on pitching their business ventures. SCORE is a nonprofit network that provides free mentoring to small businesses across the U.S.

How to implement project-based learning in high school classrooms >>

Project-Based Learning Lesson Plans

Project-based learning is not a lesson in itself; rather, it’s a series of lessons that build upon multiple skills. The length of each PBL unit can vary, lasting from several weeks to multiple years—there is no formal rule governing how long you need to spend on a PBL engagement!

Above all, remember that a PBL unit should be more hands-on and interactive than traditional instruction, and should focus on problem solving and real-world applications (as opposed to rote memorization). In terms of the instructional method, PBL tends to be more student centered by design, while a traditional lesson may be more teacher centered.

When planning cross-curricular units, start with the seven criteria of a PBL engagement—or better yet, use these criteria as a checklist! Use the following steps as a guide:

• Identify the learning outcomes or standards you want to achieve or meet. This should happen before any actual lesson planning begins.
• Brainstorm lesson ideas by thinking about authentic problems that are relevant to individual students, their school, community, the state, the country, or the world.
• The project-based lessons you design should require students to learn targeted content or skills, and to apply those skills in developing a solution or completing the project. Start with content in one subject area, then look for cross-curricular connections to cover even more subject areas.
• Now you can begin to plan your unit. Break it down into project steps and think about where instruction or learning will take place in the sequence. It can be helpful to anchor the project steps to some kind of established process , such as the scientific method.
• Determine your students’ roles in completing the project. Will they work independently or in groups? Will each student be responsible for completing a discrete part of a class-wide project, or will each be expected to execute their own project from start to finish?
• How will you and your students know when the project is complete? What will signify success? Make sure your students understand the objective, including what skills they are expected to build during the engagement.
• Decide how you will assess the project. Your grading rubric should account for all the steps taken along the way, from students’ planning process, to their project execution, to the final product.

Creating effective PBL unit plans is not without its challenges—but you don’t have to do it alone! SmartLab helps schools and educators design and implement engaging PBL STEAM learning environments that link to core academic content and foster the development of important academic and life skills. The hands-on, authentic activities allow students to construct their own meaning and explore topics in greater depth.

Time to Get Started

Now that you’ve got some compelling ideas in mind, it’s time to start building your own PBL units. By following the tips in this article, you can create a successful project-based learning lesson plan covering a variety of topics to support your students in developing their skills. Don’t be afraid to get creative! Think about real-world problems and scenarios that your students might be faced with outside the classroom.

Reach out to fellow educators in your school or district to see how they align their PBL units to academic standards or required skills-building. Other teachers are excellent sounding boards for workshopping project ideas, learning what works in the classroom and what doesn’t, and finding resources that can help you achieve your PBL plans.

Look here for more STEM + PBL examples, including details about what makes for effective PBL + STEM programs and lessons >>

SmartLab Learning understands that no two students learn the same way. Our team helps schools implement standards-aligned, individualized learning solutions—created by teachers, for teachers—that meet the unique needs of every learner through a variety of hands-on, engaging activities. Our open-ended projects provide multiple challenge levels and allow students to shape and expand learning around their own interest, abilities, and learning styles. There are so many possibilities…with SmartLab Learning, the sky’s the limit!

Haley Ruman

Haley Ruman is a Sr. Educational Training Specialist at Creative Learning Systems. She holds a Bachelor's of Science in Childhood and Early Adolescent Education and a Master's of Education in learning and technology. Her passion for innovative teaching practices and high-quality tech integration led her to Creative Learning Systems where she works with educators across the country to implement student-led, project-based learning.

Increasing Student Outcomes With Project-Based Learning

With project-based learning (PBL), students tackle problems that connect them to their lived experience, thereby increasing their classroom engagement. And when students actively participate in their learning, their knowledge retention expands. 

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Innovative Project Based Learning Ideas for Every Classroom

Mikel Resaba

Project Based Learning (PBL) is transforming classrooms by immersing students in real-world challenges and fostering a deeper understanding through hands-on experiences. If you’re seeking innovative Project Based Learning Ideas, you’re in the right place.

We aim to fill in gap in traditional education resource and guides, by providing you with practical examples of effective project-based learning initiatives across different education levels.

Keep reading to discover how to bring Project Based Learning to life in your classroom:

Understanding Project-Based Learning (PBL)

What is project based learning.

Project-Based Learning (PBL) is an educational approach that goes beyond textbooks and tests. It’s where students actively explore real-world problems and challenges, gaining knowledge and skills through hands-on projects. Project Based Learning is not just a teaching method; it’s a journey into the heart of learning, fostering critical thinking , creativity, and collaborative skills.

Key Principles of Project-Based Learning

Project-Based Learning (PBL) is built on a set of core principles that distinguish it from traditional educational methods. These principles are the bedrock of creating a dynamic and effective Project Based Learning environment:

• Student-Centered Learning: Project-Based Learning puts students at the heart of the learning process. They take the lead in their projects, making decisions, solving problems, and directing their learning paths. This autonomy builds confidence and a sense of ownership over their work.
• Inquiry and Exploration: At the core of Project Based Learning is the spirit of inquiry. Students are encouraged to ask questions, seek out new information, and explore different perspectives . This approach fosters a deeper understanding and a more meaningful connection with the subject matter.
• Real-World Relevance: Project Based Learning projects are often tied to real-world scenarios, making learning more relevant and engaging for students. By tackling issues that matter in the real world, students see the practical application of their studies and are more motivated to learn.
• Collaboration: Project Based Learning often involves group work, where students collaborate , share ideas, and learn from each other. This collaborative environment helps develop communication and teamwork skills, which are vital in both academic and professional settings.
• Reflection and Revision: An integral part of Project Based Learning is reflecting on what’s been learned and how it’s been learned. Students are encouraged to think critically about their work and make revisions, learning that iteration is a key part of the creative process.
• Presentation and Sharing: Sharing their work with others is a common end-goal in Project Based Learning. This aspect helps students develop presentation skills and also allows for feedback from peers and teachers, which is crucial for learning and improvement.

How PBL Differs from Traditional Education

Why Project-Based Learning Works

Project-Based Learning stands out as a transformative educational approach, aligning perfectly with modern pedagogical needs and theories. Its effectiveness and popularity in educational settings stem from its ability to engage students, develop essential life skills, and cater to diverse learning styles, all while preparing them for real-life challenges. Here’s an integrated look at why project-based learning works so well, also linking it to key educational theories and practices:

• Engagement and Motivation : The hands-on approach of project-based learning makes learning more engaging and enjoyable. This increased interest leads to higher motivation and information retention. It aligns with Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) , where emotional engagement is crucial for educational success.
• Develops Critical Skills : Critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication are at the heart of project-based learning, echoing principles from constructivism . These skills are essential for navigating the complexities of the 21st-century world.
• Adapts to Diverse Learning Styles : The adaptability of project-based learning to various learning styles—visual, auditory, kinesthetic—makes it a highly inclusive educational approach. This flexibility reflects principles of cognitive learning theory , which emphasizes catering to individual cognitive processes.
• Encourages Lifelong Learning : By fostering curiosity and a love for learning, project-based learning helps cultivate lifelong learners, an aspect crucial in today’s fast-evolving world. This trait is a cornerstone of inquiry-based learning , which encourages perpetual curiosity and questioning.
• Real-World Application : Project-based learning prepares students for real-life scenarios, linking academic learning to real-world applications. This approach enhances students’ ability to apply classroom learning in external situations, a key aspect of preparing them for future challenges.
• Customizable and Flexible : The ability to tailor project-based learning to any subject matter and age group makes it an effective strategy across educational contexts. Its flexibility allows educators to mold it according to their classroom dynamics and student needs.
• Feedback and Improvement : Project-based learning involves an iterative process where students create, receive feedback, and improve. This reflects real-world problem-solving and continuous improvement processes, essential for student development.

A Closer Look of Project-Based Learning Across Educational Levels

Project-Based Learning (PBL) isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach; it’s versatile, catering to a wide range of learners. Understanding the target audience for Project Based Learning ideas is key to tailoring projects that resonate and inspire. Here’s a closer look:

• Kindergarten kids
• Elementary school students
• Middle schoolers
• Educators and teachers
• High school students
• Higher education students

Project-Based Learning in Kindergarten

Project-Based Learning (PBL) in kindergarten is a magical journey of discovery and creativity. At this foundational stage, Project Based Learning is not just about learning facts; it’s about sparking curiosity, fostering creativity, and developing social skills. Here’s how Project Based Learning unfolds in a kindergarten setting:

Embracing Exploration and Discovery

• Sensory-rich Projects: Young children learn best through sensory experiences. Project Based Learning in kindergarten often involves activities that engage the senses – touch, sight, sound, and even taste. Projects like creating a sensory garden or a tactile art piece allow children to explore and learn through direct interaction with materials.
• Story-based Learning: Stories captivate children’s imaginations like nothing else. Integrating storytelling into Project Based Learning can make learning more engaging. For instance, after reading a story about animals, children could engage in a project to create their own animal habitat.

Fostering Creativity and Expression

• Art and Craft Projects: These projects are a staple in kindergarten Project Based Learning. Children could create a mural depicting seasons, craft their own musical instruments, or build models using recyclable materials. Such activities not only unleash creativity but also enhance fine motor skills.
• Role-playing and Dramatization: Children love to pretend and role-play. Projects that involve dramatization, like reenacting a folk tale or creating a mini-theater show, help develop language skills and confidence.

Building Social and Emotional Skills

• Collaborative Projects: Group activities where children work together to achieve a common goal are excellent for teaching teamwork and empathy. Building a classroom treehouse model or a community helpers’ chart are projects that encourage collaboration.
• Emotional Learning Projects: Activities that focus on recognizing and expressing emotions, like creating an ‘emotions chart’ or storytelling sessions where children discuss feelings, are valuable for emotional development.

Integrating Basic Academic Concepts

• Mathematics Through Play: Projects like setting up a pretend shop can teach basic counting and arithmetic in a fun way. Children learn best when they don’t even realize they’re learning!
• Environmental Awareness: Projects that involve observing and interacting with nature, like planting a garden or observing weather changes, introduce science concepts in a tangible and enjoyable manner.

Involving Parents and Community

• Family Collaboration Projects: Involving parents in projects, like creating a family tree or a ‘my neighborhood’ map, not only enhances learning but also strengthens the home-school connection.
• Community Engagement: Projects that connect children with their community, like visiting a local fire station or creating artwork for a community center, help them understand their role in the larger world.

Project-Based Learning in Elementary School

Project-Based Learning (PBL) in elementary school lays the groundwork for a lifetime of curious, engaged learning. It’s here that children first encounter the joys of discovery and the satisfaction of solving problems. Let’s explore how Project Based Learning can be effectively implemented at this crucial stage of education through various collaborative projects .

Environmental Awareness Projects

• Building a Mini Ecosystem : Students create a small-scale ecosystem, learning about biology, sustainability, and environmental science.
• Designing a Sustainable Garden : Pupils plan and cultivate a garden, learning about plant life, sustainable practices, and teamwork.

Historical Exploration Projects

• Creating a Historical Timeline : This project involves researching and illustrating significant historical events, enhancing understanding of history and the concept of time.
• Cultural Exploration Project : Students explore and present different cultures, fostering global awareness and appreciation for diversity.

Scientific Inquiry Projects

• Young Meteorologist Program : Students explore weather patterns, conduct simple experiments, and present their findings on local weather phenomena.
• Simple Machines Playground : A project where students learn about basic physics by designing and building simple machines.

Art and Creativity Projects

• Community Mural Creation : A group project focused on creating a mural that represents the local community or a theme studied in class.
• Storybook Creation : Students write and illustrate their own storybooks, blending creative writing with artistic expression.

Mathematics and Problem-Solving Projects

• Math in Real Life : A project where students apply mathematical concepts to solve real-world problems, like budgeting for a mini event.
• Geometry in Architecture : Pupils use geometric shapes to design simple structures, understanding geometry’s practical applications.

Project-Based Learning in Middle School

Middle school is a pivotal time in students’ educational journeys, making it an ideal stage for implementing Project-Based Learning (PBL). This period is characterized by students’ growing abilities to think abstractly, reason logically, and engage with more complex subject matter. Project Based Learning in middle school harnesses these developmental strides, turning the classroom into a dynamic learning environment.

The Role of Project Based Learning in Middle School Education

• Fostering Independence: Middle school students are at an age where they crave independence. Project Based Learning offers them the chance to take charge of their learning, making choices and solving problems with minimal hand-holding.
• Catering to Varied Interests: At this age, students are exploring their interests. Project Based Learning can be tailored to these diverse interests, making learning more relevant and engaging.
• Building Critical Thinking: Middle schoolers are developing critical thinking skills. Project Based Learning challenges them to analyze, evaluate, and create, pushing their cognitive abilities.

Engaging Middle School Students with Project Based Learning

To engage middle school students effectively, Project Based Learning should be:

• Relevant and Real-World Focused: Projects should tie into real-world problems or students’ interests to keep them engaged and invested.
• Collaborative: Group projects encourage social interaction and teamwork, skills that are crucial during these formative years.
• Varied in Complexity: Projects should vary in complexity to cater to different learning levels and to keep all students challenged and interested.
• Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage students to ask and answer ‘why’ and ‘how’ questions, pushing them to think more deeply about their projects.
• Encourage Problem-Solving: Present students with real problems to solve in their projects, requiring them to think critically and creatively.
• Foster Debate and Discussion: Create opportunities for students to discuss and debate different aspects of their projects, encouraging them to consider various viewpoints and defend their ideas.

Examples of Project-Based Learning Ideas for Middle School

• Simulating Historical Events: Students could recreate a significant historical event, which helps them understand the complexities of history and its impact on the present.
• Designing and Building a Model City: This project incorporates principles of urban planning, environmental science, and engineering, encouraging students to think about sustainability and community planning.
• Investigating Environmental Issues: Students could explore current environmental challenges, conduct research, and propose actionable solutions. This project can also include a community service aspect, like a neighborhood clean-up or awareness campaign.

Assessing Middle School Project-Based Learning Projects

Assessment in Project Based Learning should be as dynamic as the learning process:

• Rubrics: Use detailed rubrics that assess various aspects of the project, from the research and planning stages to the final presentation.
• Peer and Self-Assessment: Encourage students to give and receive feedback. This process helps them develop critical thinking and reflective skills.
• Teacher Evaluation: Teacher assessment should focus not only on the end product but also on the learning process, including how students worked together, solved problems, and overcame challenges.

Project-Based Learning in High School

High school students are on the brink of entering higher education or the workforce. At this pivotal stage, project-based learning (PBL) can be a powerful tool to prepare them for the future.

Civic Engagement Projects

• Local History Documentation : Students research and document the history of their community, culminating in a presentation or a digital archive.
• Public Policy Analysis : Analyze a current policy issue, develop alternative solutions, and present findings to local stakeholders.

STEM Innovation Projects

• Robotics Challenge : Design and build a robot to perform specific tasks, integrating principles of engineering and computer science.
• Sustainable Energy Solutions : Research and propose alternative energy solutions for the school, presenting a feasible plan to the administration.

Creative Arts and Expression Projects

• Theatre Production : Produce and perform a play, allowing students to explore literature, history, and the performing arts.
• Art Installation : Create an art installation that comments on a social issue, combining art with social studies.

Project-Based Learning in Higher Education

In higher education, PBL is an excellent way to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

Research and Development Projects

• Undergraduate Research Project : Conduct original research in a chosen field of study, with the goal of presenting findings at a conference or publishing.
• Startup Incubator : Develop a business plan and prototype for a startup idea, potentially collaborating with business and engineering departments.

Community and Global Impact Projects

• Community Service Initiative : Design and implement a service project that addresses a local need, reflecting on the social impact.
• Global Collaboration Project : Collaborate with students from a university abroad to address global challenges, promoting cross-cultural understanding and cooperation.

Tips for Effective PBL at the Collegiate Level

• Encourage Scholarly Research : Promote the use of scholarly databases and research methods to deepen academic rigor in projects.
• Collaborate Across Departments : Take advantage of the diverse academic departments to build interdisciplinary projects that mirror professional and research complexities.
• Incorporate Industry Tools : Use industry-standard tools and methodologies to give students hands-on experience with the tools they will encounter in their careers.
• Global Perspective : Encourage projects that require students to engage with global issues or collaborate with international peers, expanding their cultural competence and global awareness.
• Outcome-Oriented Projects : Design projects with tangible outcomes, like published research, implemented programs, or exhibited works, to add to students’ portfolios and resumes.

8 Project-Based Learning Strategies You Cannot Miss!

Implementing Project-Based Learning (PBL) can be a game-changer in education, but it requires a thoughtful approach to ensure success. Here’s how educators can effectively integrate Project Based Learning into their teaching:

• Start with Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve with Project Based Learning. Are you focusing on developing specific skills, enhancing knowledge in a subject area, or fostering collaboration? Clear goals help in designing more focused and effective projects.
• Design Engaging Projects: The heart of Project Based Learning is the project itself. Design projects that are challenging yet achievable, relevant to students’ interests and real-world problems. Ensure they align with educational standards and learning objectives.
• Facilitate, Don’t Dictate: Shift from a teacher-led to a student-centered approach. Guide students through the process, but give them autonomy to make decisions and solve problems. This fosters independence and critical thinking.
• Incorporate Technology Wisely: Utilize technology to enhance Project Based Learning. Tools like ClassPoint can be used to create interactive presentations, conduct real-time quizzes, and provide instant feedback, making the learning process more dynamic and engaging.
• Build a Collaborative Environment: Encourage teamwork and collaboration among students. Group projects can help develop communication skills and the ability to work effectively with others.
• Continuously Assess and Reflect: Assessment in Project Based Learning goes beyond traditional tests. Include formative assessments throughout the project, encourage self and peer assessments, and have students reflect on their learning process and outcomes.
• Be Prepared for Challenges: Implementing Project Based Learning can come with challenges like managing diverse learning styles, ensuring equal participation, and aligning projects with curriculum standards. Be proactive in addressing these challenges and be flexible in your approach.
• Seek Feedback and Evolve: After each project, seek feedback from students and colleagues. Use this feedback to refine your approach and evolve your Project Based Learning strategies over time.

Bonus: Getting Started with Project-Based Learning Using ClassPoint

ClassPoint is not just an add-on for PowerPoint; it’s a powerful tool that can transform your approach to Project-Based Learning (PBL). Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can use ClassPoint to bring your PBL ideas to life.

Step-by-Step Implementation:

• Concept Introduction : Use ClassPoint’s Quick Poll or Word Cloud feature to survey students on their initial thoughts about a new topic.
• Project Proposal : Students articulate their project ideas in a short, written format and submit these proposals to the teacher for approval using Short Answer .
• Research and Design : Students conduct research using traditional methods or their devices and compile their findings in PowerPoint. The teacher can also facilitate this step by using ClassPoint’s embedded browser to showcase websites or resources during the presentation for guidance.
• Student Presentation : Students present their completed projects, integrating multimedia elements such as videos and images, alongside live demonstrations to showcase their work effectively.
• Audience Engagement : Encourage students to leverage ClassPoint’s draggable objects , live quizzes or quick polls to interact with other students and allow the audience to vote on their favorite projects or to facilitate a question-and-answer session.
• Assessment & Feedback : Implement real-time polling for a quick knowledge check and collect feedback from classmates, making the session interactive and engaging.

Take the Next Step in Project-Based Learning

You’ve seen the power of project based learning ideas – now it’s time to bring them into your classroom. With ClassPoint’s interactive features, you can elevate these projects from concept to reality.

• Turn your PowerPoint into an interactive learning hub.
• Engage students with real-time quizzes and polls.
• Track progress and celebrate achievements with gamification.

Don’t just read about it – experience the transformation. Try ClassPoint for free and watch your project based learning ideas come to life!

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100 Project-Based Learning Ideas

Already know about PBL? Skip to 100 PBL Ideas

What is project-based learning, project-based learning definition.

Project-based learning, or PBL, is an instructional approach that encourages students to explore real-world problems and challenges. It is an engaging and meaningful way for students to learn, allowing them to apply their knowledge in a practical context.

In practice, PBL is simply a series of activities designed to help students develop a deeper understanding of a particular topic or subject. These activities range from hands-on experiments and simulations to research projects and presentations.

Project-based learning is an effective way for teachers to engage their students in the classroom. It encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration , and communication skills. Plus, it allows students to take ownership of their learning and apply what they've learned to real-world situations, making the learning experience more meaningful and relevant.

How is project-based learning different than traditional instruction?

Project-based learning differs from traditional learning models in several ways:

• Curriculum: Traditional learning models typically follow a pre-determined curriculum with specific content that students must learn. On the other hand, project-based learning is driven by the project itself. The project is the vehicle through which students learn the content, and the curriculum is tailored to the project.
• Hands-on learning: In traditional learning models, students are often passive learners, listening to lectures and completing worksheets. In project-based learning, students are active learners, participating in hands-on activities that enable real-world application.
• Problem-based learning: In traditional models, the emphasis is on memorization and knowledge reproduction. In contrast, project-based learning is based on solving real-world problems, requires students to apply critical thinking skills, and develops problem-solving ability.
• Collaboration and teamwork: Traditional models tend to focus on individual achievement, whereas project-based learning encourages cooperation and teamwork. Students work together to complete a project, which teaches them how to communicate effectively and work well with others.
• Student-centered learning: Traditional models focus on the teacher as the primary source of knowledge, whereas project-based learning is student-centered, allowing students to take an active role in their education and develop a deeper understanding of the material.
• Assessment: Traditional models often rely on standardized tests, a one-size-fits-all approach to assessing student learning. In project-based learning, assessment is based on the project itself, with an emphasis on how well students have applied the content to the project.

Overall, Project-based learning is a holistic approach that emphasizes active, hands-on, and problem-based learning, while traditional models tend to be teacher-centered, lecture-based, and focused on knowledge reproduction.

Why should you use project-based learning?

Innovative instruction models like PBL are becoming increasingly important because they help students develop essential skills for succeeding in the 21st century. PBL encourages students to think critically, solve problems, collaborate with others, and communicate effectively. It also allows them to take ownership of their learning and apply their knowledge practically.

While traditional education models rely heavily on memorization and rote learning, PBL allows students to explore and discover new information. This encourages them to think outside the box and develop creative solutions to problems— a skill that is essential in the modern workplace.

Watch: Project Based Learning: Explained.

Project-based learning is helpful for various reasons:

• Relevance: Project-based learning provides students with relevant, real-world experiences that are meaningful to them. This allows them to connect what they're learning to the world around them, helping them to understand and retain the information better.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving : Project-based learning requires students to think critically and solve problems, essential skills for success in the 21st century. By working on a project, students can apply what they've learned in a real-world context, helping them develop a deeper understanding of the material.
• Collaboration and teamwork: Project-based learning encourages collaboration and teamwork, which are important skills for students to develop. By working together on a project, students learn how to communicate effectively and work well with others, which are valuable skills in their personal and professional lives.
• Creativity and innovation: Project-based learning allows students to be creative and innovative. As they work on a project, they can think outside the box and develop new and unique ideas. This helps to foster creativity and innovation in students, which are valuable skills for success in any field.
• Student-centered learning: Project-based learning is student-centered and encourages students to participate in their education actively. This allows them to develop a sense of ownership and responsibility for their growth, which can increase engagement and motivation.
• Preparation for the future: Project-based learning provides students with experiences closer to the real world, which can better prepare them for future careers. Additionally, project-based learning often requires students to use technology and other modern tools. This helps them develop the digital skills that are becoming increasingly necessary in the workforce.

Overall, Project-based learning is a dynamic, engaging, and effective way for students of all grade levels to learn and develop critical skills necessary for success in school and life.

Research & Evidence

Research on project-based learning has found that it can effectively improve student learning and engagement. Studies indicate that students who participate in project-based learning tend to have higher levels of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as better retention of the material. Additionally, students who participate in project-based learning often have increased engagement, motivation, and a better understanding of the material.

The following are a few studies that support the effectiveness of project-based learning:

• One study found that when teachers received training and support in using project-based learning (PBL) in the classroom, their students performed better on Advanced Placement (AP) exams than students whose teachers did not have this training. The study suggests that using PBL in classrooms can benefit students' learning and preparation for college-level exams and civic engagement and engagement with learning. (Saavedra, Liu, et al., 2021)
• A study in Michigan found that third-grade students who were instructed using Project-based Learning (PBL) and 3-dimensional learning outperformed those who continued with their usual curriculum on a science achievement test. The new curriculum also improved students' scores in self-reflection and collaboration in science classes, suggesting that it can be an effective way to teach science in elementary school and help students develop a deeper understanding of science and SEL skills. (Krajcik et al., 2021).
• A study of middle school students in California found that those who learned science through a project-based curriculum performed 11 percentage points better on a science assessment than their peers. Additionally, students who used the project-based curriculum did better on the end-of-year math and English language arts assessments. (Deutscher et al., 2021).

These studies are just a few examples of the research that's been done on project-based learning. So, while it's clear that PBL can be an effective way to improve student learning and engagement, it's also worth noting that the effectiveness of PBL will depend on the specific implementation of instruction and the context in which it is used.

Project-Based Learning Example

One example of PBL in a K-12 classroom might be an activity on environmental pollution. Students might be asked to research different types of pollution, create a presentation about their findings, and then design an action plan for reducing pollution in their community. 

From this project, students might learn the following:

• Research skills, such as locating and evaluating reliable sources
• Information literacy, such as understanding how to organize and present data.
• Environmental science concepts, such as the sources and impacts of pollution.
• Creative problem-solving and critical thinking skills when designing an action plan.
• Communication and collaboration skills when presenting their findings and working together on the project.

Example PBL Lesson Plan

Lesson title: taking action against environmental pollution, objectives:.

• Students will research different types of pollution and their effects on the environment.
• Students will understand the importance of taking action to reduce pollution in their community.
• Students will design an action plan for reducing pollution in their community.
• Internet access
• (optional) Research materials (books, articles, etc.)
• Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides)
• Poster board or other materials for creating an action plan
• Introduction: Begin by discussing the concept of pollution and its adverse effects on the environment. Ask students to brainstorm examples of different types of pollution and their environmental effects.
• Research: Divide students into small groups and assign each group a specific kind of pollution to research. Provide each group with internet access and research materials. Give students time to conduct research and take notes on their findings.
• Presentation: Have each group create a presentation on their research findings. Encourage students to be creative and use visual aids in their presentations. Allow time for each group to present their findings to the class.
• Action Plan: After presentations, have students work in groups to create an action plan for reducing pollution in their community. Encourage students to think creatively about ways to reduce pollution. Allow students time to research and gather additional information they may need for their action plans.
• Implementation and Reflection: Encourage students to present their action plans to the class or a community group. The students should explain their plan and how they will implement it. If feasible, help students implement the plan in their community; after that, ask students to reflect on what they've learned throughout the project, how they felt during the different steps, and the successes and challenges of their plan.
• Assessment: Assessment can be done in various ways, for example, by:
• Evidence-based, authentic assessment by using the Unrulr app
• Self-reflection and peer evaluations on the presentations and action plans
• Observation of students during research, presentation, and plan implementation
• Formal assessments such as quizzes on pollution, what was learned about pollution, and the effects it has on the environment

Adaptations:

• Depending on the grade level and the students, the project can be adapted to their needs. For younger students, it may be simpler to focus on one type of pollution and its effects on their community.
• Depending on the subject, the project can be modified for the subject area, for example, science, social studies, language arts, or math.
• For students with special needs, you can adapt the projects with specific materials or instructions.

One hundred project-based learning ideas

Whether you are new to PBL or a seasoned veteran, read on to discover 100 PBL project ideas for students to tackle in your classroom.

• Community Garden: design and plan a community garden, including selecting plants, fundraising, and organizing volunteers.
• Renewable Energy: research and build models or prototypes of a renewable energy source, such as solar, wind, or hydroelectric power.
• Historical Fiction: research a historical event or period, and then write and illustrate their own historical fiction story.
• Board Game Design: design and develop a board game, including creating the game rules, storyline, and artwork.
• Science Fair: choose a scientific topic and conduct experiments or research to present at a school science fair.
• Digital Photography: learn digital photography basics, including composition and editing, and create a photography portfolio.
• Environmental Impact: research the environmental impact of a particular industry or activity and then create a plan to reduce that impact.
• Cooking class: learn about nutrition and food preparation by planning and cooking a series of meals.
• Debate Club: students research and debate current events and social issues.
• Entrepreneurial Challenge: work in teams to develop and pitch a business idea to a panel of judges.
• Mock Trial: students research and stage a mock trial, playing the roles of attorneys, witnesses, and jurors.
• Community Service: research and plan a community service project, and then work to implement it in the community.
• Crime Scene Investigation: learn about forensic science and use critical thinking skills to solve a simulated crime scene.
• Current events: students keep track of current events and create a News show or podcast discussing the events.
• Music Production: learn about music production and create a digital audio track.
• City Planning: research and design a plan for a sustainable, livable city.
• Movie Making: write, direct, and produce a short film.
• Crime Statistics: analyze crime data to identify patterns and develop crime-prevention strategies.
• Public Speaking: students research and deliver speeches on a topic of their choice.
• Cultural Exchange: learn about different cultures and create a cultural exchange program with a school in another country.
• Fashion Design: design and create a clothing line or accessory collection.
• Psychology: students research the effects of a specific psychological phenomenon and conduct experiments to test their hypotheses.
• Art History: research a particular art movement or artist and create an artwork inspired by that movement or artist.
• Space Exploration: research and design a mission to explore a planet or moon in our solar system.
• Geography: create a digital map and report on a region's geography, culture, and economy.
• Poetry: research and analyze different types of poetry and write an original poem.
• Internet Safety: research the risks of social media and internet use and create a public service campaign to educate peers on how to stay safe online.
• Personal Finance: learn about personal finance and create a budget, saving, and investment plan.
• Archaeological Dig: plan and conduct an archaeological dig. Learn how to preserve and interpret the findings.
• Pop-up Book: design and create a pop-up book featuring original illustrations and stories.
• Green Architecture: research and design an energy-efficient, sustainable building.
• Ecosystems: research a specific ecosystem and create a model or presentation that illustrates the interconnectedness of its various components.
• iOS/Android App development: learn the basics of mobile app development and design an app.
• Radio Broadcasting: create a radio show featuring original content and interviews.
• Children's Literature: research and analyze children's literature and create a children's book.
• Human Rights: research a specific human rights issue and create a campaign to raise awareness and advocate for change.
• Creative Writing: students write and revise a short story or novel and receive feedback on their work.
• Anatomy: create a detailed diagram of the human body and learn about the functions of a specific body system.
• Climate Change: research the causes and effects of climate change and prototype solutions to combat it.
• Disaster Management: research and plan for natural or man-made disasters and create a disaster preparedness plan for the community.
• English as a Second Language (ESL): students teach English to non-native speakers in the school or community.
• Genealogy: students research their family history and create a family tree.
• Firefighting: learn about firefighting techniques and equipment and conduct a simulated fire drill.
• Rube Goldberg Machine: design and build a Rube Goldberg machine to perform a specific task.
• Stop-motion Animation: learn the basics of stop-motion animation and create an animated short.
• Medical Science: research a specific medical condition and create a public awareness campaign.
• Travel Planning: research and plan a fictional trip to a foreign country.
• Personal Growth: students reflect on their personal growth and create a plan to achieve their goals.
• Meteorology: learn about weather patterns and create a forecast for the local area.
• Video Game Design: design and develop a video game.
• Podcasting: produce a podcast on a chosen topic.
• Industrial Design: design and prototype a new product or piece of furniture.
• Personal Branding: students research and develop their personal brand.
• Social Media Marketing: learn about social media marketing and create a campaign for a local business.
• Jazz Band: learn how to play jazz music and perform in a school concert.
• Environmental Science: students research a specific environmental issue and propose solutions.
• World Religions: research and compare different world religions.
• Stand-up Comedy: learn the basics of stand-up comedy and perform an original comedy routine.
• Photo Essay: learn about photography and create a photo essay on a specific theme.
• Textile Design: learn about textile design and create a collection of original fabric designs.
• Geopolitics: research and analyze current geopolitical issues and events.
• Cybersecurity: research and learn about cyber threats and create a plan to protect your online identity.
• Earth Science: learn about the earth's systems and conduct experiments to test hypotheses.
• Coding: learn how to code and develop a software program or website.
• American Sign Language: learn American Sign Language and translate a popular song.
• Nutrition: research the effects of nutrition on health and create a healthy meal plan.
• Environmental Science: Students learn about the effects of pollution and create a plan to reduce waste and conserve resources.
• Stress Management: learn about stress management and create a personal stress-reduction plan.
• Game Theory:   students research game theory and create their own game to demonstrate a game theory concept.
• Street Art: learn about street art and create a mural for the school or community.
• Data Analysis: collect and analyze data on a specific topic and create a dashboard or visualization for the data.
• Carbon Footprint: students calculate their carbon footprint and create a plan to reduce it.
• Political Science: research and analyze a current political issue and propose solutions.
• Economics: research a current economic issue and create a report or presentation to share the findings.
• Astrology: create a horoscope or astrological chart for your birth sign.
• Sustainable Agriculture: research sustainable agriculture practices and create a plan to implement them in the community.
• Astronomy: learn about astronomy and create a model of the solar system.
• Human Development: research human development and create a report or presentation on a specific stage or aspect of human development.
• Media Studies: research and analyze a specific medium, such as television or film, and create a report or presentation to share the findings.
• Gender Studies: research and analyze the social construction of gender and create a report or presentation to share the findings.
• Automotive Technology: learn about the mechanics and technology behind cars and work on a car engine repair project.
• Robotics: Students work on a project to design and develop a robot that can perform specific tasks like assistance for disabled individuals or food delivery.
• Medical Science: research and build a model of the human body to explore the intricacies of the different body systems.
• CNC Programming: learn the basics of CNC programming and use it to design and create a 3D project, like a piece of furniture or art piece.
• Aerospace Engineering: design and build a spacecraft model, then plan a space mission.
• Cybersecurity: research different types of cyber-attacks and imagine a security system to protect against them.
• Biotechnology: work on a project to genetically modify a plant or microorganism to make it resistant to a particular disease or increase its yield
• Human Resources Management: learn about the different aspects of human resources management, such as recruitment, employee development, and performance management, and create an HR plan for a hypothetical company.
• Machine Learning: learn about machine learning techniques and build a model that can perform a specific task like image recognition or natural language processing.
• Supply Chain Management: work on a project to create an efficient supply chain management plan for a hypothetical company
• Lean Management: learn about lean management principles and apply them to a specific production process.
• Futures Studies: students research and analyze future trends and developments in a specific field and create a report or presentation on their findings.
• 3D Printing: learn about 3D printing technology and create and print a physical object using CAD software.
• Artificial Intelligence: learn about the basics of AI and its applications and use it to create a project such as a chatbot or a game.
• User Experience (UX) Design: learn about user experience design and use it to design a mockup for a website or application.
• Augmented Reality: learn about augmented reality technology and use it to create an educational game or interactive experience.
• Virtual Reality: learn about virtual reality technology and use it to create a virtual tour of a historical location or museum, or a journey through a specific ecosystem
• Educational Resources for Local Schools : create educational resources that can be used by local schools in different subject areas. They will research potential topics, create engaging lessons, and produce materials that can be used in the classroom.
• Plan an Accessible Playground : work together to plan an accessible playground for the community. Research different playground designs that meet accessibility needs and develop a budget for supplies.

Keep in mind that these are only examples of project ideas to help you brainstorm. You will need to tailor projects based on what you know about your students and the resources available in your classroom.

Also, remember that project-based learning should be student-centered and engaging, and allow students to work in collaborative groups. Projects should be as relevant and as applicable to the real world as possible.

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The Comprehensive Guide to Project-Based Learning: Empowering Student Choice through an Effective Teaching Method

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Resources and Tools

In K-12 education, project-based learning (PBL) has gained momentum as an effective inquiry-based, teaching strategy that encourages students to take ownership of their learning journey. 

By integrating authentic projects into the curriculum, project-based learning fosters active engagement, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. This comprehensive guide explores the principles, benefits, implementation strategies, and evaluation techniques associated with project-based instruction, highlighting its emphasis on student choice and its potential to revolutionize education.

What is Project-Based Learning?

Project-based learning (PBL) is a inquiry-based and learner-centered instructional approach that immerses students in real-world projects that foster deep learning and critical thinking skills. Project-based learning can be implemented in a classroom as single or multiple units or it can be implemented across various subject areas and school-wide. 

In contrast to teacher led instruction, project-based learning encourages student engagement, collaboration, and problem-solving, empowering students to become active participants in their own learning. Students collaborate to solve a real world problem that requires content knowledge, critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills.

Students aren’t only assessed on their understanding of academic content but on their ability to successfully apply that content when solving authentic problems. Through this process, project-based learning gives students the opportunity to develop the real-life skills required for success in today’s world. 

Positive Impacts of Project-Based Learning

By integrating project-based learning into the classroom, educators can unlock a multitude of benefits for students. The research evidence overwhelmingly supports the positive impact of PBL on students, teachers, and school communities. According to numerous studies (see  Deutscher et al, 2021 ;  Duke et al, 2020 ;  Krajick et al, 2022 ;  Harris et al, 2015 ) students in PBL classrooms not only outperform non-PBL classrooms academically, such as on state tests and AP exams, but also the benefits of PBL extend beyond academic achievement, as students develop essential skills, including creativity, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. Additional studies documenting the impact of PBL on K-12 learning are available in the  PBL research annotated bibliography  on the New Tech Network website.

New Tech Network Project-Based Learning Impacts

Established in 1996, New Tech Network NTN is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming teaching and learning through innovative instructional practices, with project-based learning at its core.

NTN has an extensive network of schools across the United States that have embraced the power of PBL to engage students in meaningful, relevant, and challenging projects, with professional development to support teachers in deepening understanding of “What is project-based learning?” and “How can we deliver high quality project-based learning to all students?”

With over 20 years of experience in project-based learning, NTN schools have achieved impactful results. Several research studies documented that students in New Tech Network schools outperform their peers in non-NTN schools on SAT/ACT tests and state exams in both math and reading (see  Hinnant-Crawford & Virtue, 2019 ;  Lynch et al, 2018 ;  Stocks et al, 2019 ).  Additionally, students in NTN schools are more engaged and more likely to develop skills in collaboration, agency, critical thinking, and communication—skills highly valued in today’s workforce (see  Ancess & Kafka, 2020 ;  Muller & Hiller, 2020 ;  Zeiser, Taylor, et al, 2019 ). 

NTN provides comprehensive support to educators, including training, resources, and ongoing coaching, to ensure the effective implementation of problem-based learning and project-based learning. Through their collaborative network, NTN continuously shares best practices, fosters innovation, enables replication across districts, and empowers educators to create transformative learning experiences for their students (see  Barnett et al, 2020 ;  Hernández et al, 2019 ).

Key Concepts of Project-Based Learning

Project-based learning is rooted in several key principles that distinguish it from other teaching methods. The pedagogical theories that underpin project-based learning and problem-based learning draw from constructivism and socio-cultural learning. Constructivism posits that learners construct knowledge through active learning and real world applications. Project-based learning aligns with this theory by providing students with opportunities to actively construct knowledge through inquiry, hands-on projects, real-world contexts, and collaboration.

Students as active participants

Project-based learning is characterized by learner-centered, inquiry-based, real world learning, which encourages students to take an active role in their own learning. Instead of rote memorization of information, students engage in meaningful learning opportunities, exercise voice and choice, and develop student agency skills. This empowers students to explore their interests, make choices, and take ownership of their learning process, with teachers acting as facilitators rather than the center of instruction.

Real-world and authentic contexts

Project-based learning emphasizes real-world problems that encourage students to connect academic content to meaningful contexts, enabling students to see the practical application of what they are learning. By tackling personally meaningful projects and engaging in hands-on tasks, students develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter and its relevance in their lives.

Collaboration and teamwork

Another essential element of project-based learning is collaborative work. Students collaborating with their peers towards the culmination of a project, mirrors real-world scenarios where teamwork and effective communication are crucial. Through collaboration, students develop essential social and emotional skills, learn from diverse perspectives, and engage in constructive dialogue.

Project-based learning embodies student-centered learning, real-world relevance, and collaborative work. These principles, rooted in pedagogical theories like constructivism, socio-cultural learning, and experiential learning, create a powerful learning environment, across multiple academic domains, that foster active engagement, thinking critically, and the development of essential skills for success in college or career or life beyond school.

A Unique Approach to Project-Based Learning: New Tech Network

New Tech Network schools are committed to these key focus areas: college and career ready outcomes, supportive and inclusive culture, meaningful and equitable instruction, and purposeful assessment.

In the New Tech Network Model, rigorous project-based learning allows students to engage with material in creative, culturally relevant ways, experience it in context, and share their learning with peers.

Why Undertake this Work?

Teachers, administrators, and district leaders undertake this work because it produces critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and collaborators who are vital to the long-term health and wellbeing of our communities.

Reynoldsburg City Schools (RCS) Superintendent Dr. Melvin J. Brown observed that “Prior to (our partnership with New Tech Network) we were just doing the things we’ve always done, while at the same time, our local industry was evolving and changing— and we were not changing with it. We recognized we had to do better to prepare kids for the reality they were going to walk into after high school and beyond.

Students embrace the Model because they feel a sense of belonging. They are challenged to learn in relevant, meaningful ways that shape the way they interact with the world, like  these students from Owensboro Innovation Academy in Owensboro, Kentucky . 

When change is collectively held and supported rather than siloed, and all stakeholders are engaged rather than alienated, schools and districts build their own capacity to sustain innovation and continuously improve. New Tech Network’s approach to change provides teachers, administrators, and district leaders with clear roles in adopting and adapting student-centered learning. 

Part of NTN’s process for equipping schools with the data they need to serve their students involves conducting research surveys about their student’s experiences. 

“The information we received back from our NTN surveys about our kids’ experiences was so powerful,” said Amanda Ziaer, Managing Director of Strategic Initiatives for Frisco ISD. “It’s so helpful to be reminded about these types of tactics when you’re trying to develop an authentic student-centered learning experience. It’s just simple things you might skip because we live in such a traditional adult-centered world.” 

NTN’s experienced staff lead professional development activities that enable educators to adapt to student needs and strengths, and amplify those strengths while adjusting what is needed to address challenges.

Meaningful and Equitable Instruction

The New Tech Network model is centered on a PBL instructional core. PBL as an instructional method overlaps with key features of equitable pedagogical approaches including student voice, student choice, and authentic contexts. The New Tech Network model extends the power of PBL as a tool for creating more equitable learning by building asset-based equity pedagogical practices into the the design using key practices drawn from the literature on culturally sustaining teaching methods so that PBL instruction leverages the assets of diverse students, supports teachers as warm demanders, and develops critically conscious students in PBL classrooms (see  Good teaching, warm and demanding classrooms, and critically conscious students: Measuring student perceptions of asset-based equity pedagogy in the classroom ).

Examples of Project-Based Learning

New Tech Network schools across the country create relevant projects and interdisciplinary learning that bring a learner-centered approach to their school.  Examples of NTN Model PBL Projects  are available in the NTN Help and Learning Center and enable educators to preview projects and gather project ideas from various grade levels and content areas.

The NTN Project Planning Toolkit is used as a guide in the planning and design of PBL. The Project-based learning examples linked above include a third grade Social Studies/ELA project, a seventh grade Science project, and a high school American Studies project (11th grade English Language Arts/American History).

The Role of Technology in Project-Based Learning

A tool for creativity

Technology plays a vital role in enhancing PBL in schools, facilitating student  engagement, collaboration, and access to information. At the forefront, technology provides students with tools and resources to research, analyze data, and create multimedia content for their projects.

A tool for collaboration

Technology tools enable students to express their understanding creatively through digital media, such as videos, presentations, vlogs, blogs and interactive websites, enhancing their communication and presentation skills.

A tool for feedback

Technology offers opportunities for authentic audiences and feedback. Students can showcase their projects to a global audience through online platforms, blogs, or social media, receiving feedback and perspectives from beyond the classroom. This authentic audience keeps students engaged and striving for high-quality work and encourages them to take pride in their accomplishments.

By integrating technology into project-based learning, educators can enhance student engagement, deepen learning, and prepare students for a digitally interconnected world.

Interactive PBL Resources

New Tech Network offers a wealth of resources and articles to support educators in gaining a deeper understanding of project-based learning. One valuable tool is the NTN Help Center, which provides comprehensive articles and resources on the principles and practices of implementing project-based learning.

Educators can explore project examples in the NTN Help Center to gain inspiration and practical insights into designing and implementing PBL projects that align with their curriculum and student needs.

Educators can start with the article “ What are the basic principles and practices of Project-Based Learning? Doing Projects vs. PBL . ” The image within the article clarifies the difference between the traditional education approach of “doing projects” and true project-based learning.

Project Launch

Students are introduced to a project by an Entry Event in the Project Launch (designated in purple on the image) this project component typically requires students to take on a role beyond that of ‘student’ or ‘learner’. This occurs either by placing students in a scenario that has real world applications, in which they simulate tasks performed by adults and/or by requiring learners to address a challenge or problem facing a particular community group.

The Entry Event not only introduces students to a project but also serves as the “hook” that purposefully engages students in the launch of a project. The Entry Event is followed by the Need to Know process in which students name what they already know about a topic and the project ask and what they “need to know” in order to solve the problem named in the project. Next steps are created which support students as they complete the Project Launch phase of a project.

Scaffolding

Shown in the image in red, facilitators ensure students gain content knowledge and skills through ‘scaffolding’. Scaffolding is defined as temporary supports for students to build the skills and knowledge needed to create the final product. Similar to scaffolding in building construction, it is removed when these supports are no longer needed by students.

Scaffolding can take the form of a teacher providing support by hosting small group workshops, students engaging in independent research or groups completing learner-centered activities, lab investigations, formative assessments and more.

Benchmarks (seen in orange in the image) can be checks for understanding that allow educators to give feedback on student work and/or checks to ensure students are progressing in the project as a team. After each benchmark, students should be given time to reflect on their individual goals as well as their team goals. Benchmarks are designed to build on each other to support project teams towards the culminating product at the end of the project.

NTN’s Help Center also provides resources on what effective teaching and learning look like within the context of project-based learning. The article “ What does effective teaching and learning look like? ” outlines the key elements of a successful project-based learning classroom, emphasizing learner-centered learning, collaborative work, and authentic assessments. 

Educators can refer to this resource to gain insights into best practices, instructional strategies, and classroom management techniques that foster an engaging and effective project-based learning environment.

From understanding the principles and practices of PBL to accessing examples of a particular project, evaluating project quality, and exploring effective teaching and learning strategies, educators can leverage these resources to enhance their PBL instruction and create meaningful learning experiences for their students.

Preparing Students for the Future with PBL

The power of PBL is the way in which it encourages students to think critically, collaborate, and sharpen communication skills, which are all highly sought-after in today’s rapidly evolving workforce. By engaging in authentic, real-world projects, and collaborating with business and community leaders and community members, students develop the ability to tackle complex problems, think creatively, and adapt to changing circumstances.

These skills are essential in preparing students for the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the future job market, where flexibility, innovation, and adaptability are paramount. 

“Joining New Tech Network provides us an opportunity to reframe many things about the school, not just PBL,” said Bay City Public Schools Chief Academic Officer Patrick Malley. “Eliminating the deficit mindset about kids is the first step to establishing a culture that makes sure everyone in that school is focused on next-level readiness for these kids.”

The New Tech Network Learning Outcomes align with the qualities companies are looking for in new hires: Knowledge and Thinking, Oral Communication, Written Communication, Collaboration and Agency.

NTN schools prioritize equipping students with the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue postsecondary education or training successfully. By integrating college readiness and career readiness into the fabric of PBL, NTN ensures that students develop the academic, technical, and professional skills needed for future success. 

Through authentic projects, students learn to engage in research, analysis, and presentation of their work, mirroring the expectations and demands of postsecondary education and the workplace. NTN’s commitment to college and career readiness ensures that students are well-prepared to transition seamlessly into higher education or enter the workforce with the skills and confidence to excel in their chosen paths.

The Impact of PBL on College and Career Readiness

PBL has a profound impact on college and career readiness. Numerous studies document the academic benefits for students, including performance in AP courses, SAT/ACT tests, and state exams (see  Deutscher et al, 2021 ;  Duke et al, 2020 ;  Krajick et al, 2022 ;  Harris et al, 2015 ). New Tech Network schools demonstrate higher graduation rates and college persistence rates than the national average as outlined in the  New Tech Network 2022 Impact Report . Over 95% of NTN graduates reported feeling prepared for the expectations and demands of college. 

Practices that Support Equitable College Access and Readiness

According to  a literature review conducted by New York University’s Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools  ( Perez et al, 2021 ) classroom level, school level, and district level practices can be implemented to create more equitable college access and readiness and these recommendations align with many of the practices built into the the NTN model, including culturally sustaining instructional approaches, foundational literacy, positive student-teacher relationships, and developing shared asset-based mindsets.

About New Tech Network

New Tech Network is committed to meeting schools and districts where they are and helping them achieve their vision of student success. For a full list of our additional paths to impact or to speak with someone about how the NTN Model can make an impact in your district, please send an email to  [email protected] .

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Project-Based Learning: Top Examples, Benefits & Ideas

f you want to make your learning or training engaging and relevant, a traditional ‘one-fits-all’ model won’t help. 

But what will? 

Project-based learning! And trust us, it is more common than you think.

Within the modern education landscape, it emerges as a transformative approach. It links learning to real-world scenarios, focuses on key knowledge, and allows deeper understanding. 

That’s why it is applied in schools, academies, business settings, and leadership programs. Yet, it has its principles and rules. 

Read on to explore this concept, its key benefits, project-based examples and ideas, and ways to use it online.

What is Project-Based Learning?

Let’s start with a project-based learning definition and how it is different from traditional learning.

Project-based learning is a method by which students gain knowledge and skills during their active involvement in meaningful projects that apply to the real world.

Usually, a project spans from a week to a half year. During this time, students address an issue or real-world problem and develop a solution with the knowledge they get. 

The result of such a work is a product or presentation that shows how deeply they understand the issue and how they apply the knowledge.

Note. For students in schools, the result of PBL learning can be a mural or presentation, while for students in business or tech boot camps , it can be a web app, site, product, or even a business launch.

For instance, Futur Academy builds the whole business beta program around this approach.

Project-based learning vs traditional learning

How does project-based learning differ from traditional learning methods?

Traditional learning is rather academic, while project-based learning focuses on real-world problems supporting interdisciplinary knowledge and putting student inquiry in the center.

Why is Project-Based Learning Important?

Project-based learning is important as it offers a transformative approach to learning with increased student engagement and practical learning outcomes. 

💡Subject to the research , project-based learning has a positive effect on critical thinking development and adds to creative thinking, reflective thinking, communication, and cooperation skills.

But why this approach is so transformative? 

It focuses on projects, uses real-world questions to prepare students for future challenges, and teaches 21st-century skills. The latter refer to: 

• Personal or social responsibility;
• Design thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills;
• Creativity and decision-making;
• Ability to look at things from different perspectives;
• Use of technology and flexibility.

In terms of classroom engagement, project-based learning brings more freedom and does not kill the creativity affected by routine activities and the student’s passive role under the traditional learning approach.

Read more: How to Boost Online Classroom Engagement?

Key Characteristics of Project-Based Learning

Interestingly, project-based learning is the approach that is widely used not only in schools, but in academies, business organizations, and training centers. Yet, it can have different names and be integrated into various programs. It may be a school project, coding bootcamp, or training simulation at work.

In many cases, they follow the principle of “learning by doing”, presented by John Dewey, whom some consider a father of project-based learning. 

Your learning can be considered project-based if it includes the particular characteristics:

• Open-ended issues . The project usually aims to answer a big question, a student can offer a solution based on the research.
• Connection to classroom knowledge. Project-based learning requires students to use the knowledge they acquire in the classroom and understand how it can help them with the project.
• Students create solutions based on inquiry. Inquiries encourage interest, add to understanding, and allow for asking the right questions with the help of instructors.
• Student-centered learning. It puts the solutions and decisions of the students into the center.
• Clear and authentic assessment criteria. Alongside the presentation, teachers evaluate problems, research processes, tools, and outcomes, and bring other peers to evaluation.

As a result, from posing a question and making an inquiry to reflection and evaluation, the students take a journey where they explore new concepts, get a deep understanding, and acquire the necessary skills to realize the project.

Benefits of Project-Based Learning

Considering the importance and key characteristics, we can identify key advantages that project-based learning brings to students and teachers:

• Enhanced Critical Thinking Skills: This approach significantly relies on students’ analysis, evaluation, and creation, which are essential for future academic, life, and career success. 
• Improved Collaboration Skills: When students work on research projects, they learn how to collaborate, share responsibilities, and value diverse perspectives. 
• Real-World Application of Knowledge: As students aim to solve real-world problems, students see the relevance of their learning, making programs more meaningful and applicable. 
• Increased Student Motivation: Such projects boost student interest and motivation, leading to a more enthusiastic and invested learning experience. 
• Promotes life learning: Project-based learning encourages students to find solutions to complex issues and step out of the school or organization setting. It enhances their ability to be active, think creatively, and solve problems effectively. 

Read more: 10 Benefits of Collaborative Learning

Top 10 Project-Based Learning Examples 

As the project-based learning concept is crucial for many organizations, instructors have numeous forms to resort to. 

There are some universal project ideas that can be used in different settings, like role-playing scenarios, while others should be changed significantly for business settings.

In this section, we are to show some effective project-based learning examples for young learners, students, and even employees.

Example #1. Developing the Website

There, the project-based learning goal is to answer an issue with the creation of a website. It may be for a community issue, a product, or an interesting initiative. For instance, with it, students can raise awareness about recycling, organize an event, or address public health issues. 

What skills and knowledge will they learn? There is a significant focus on development skills, like basic HTML, content creation, creativity, and design thinking and principles. 

What are alternative project-based learning ideas for businesses and academies? For a development bootcamp, you can turn it into web app design; for academies, students can create an e-portfolio creation; for employee training, it can be an internal corporate culture page. 

Example #2. Creating a Video Piece for PSA or Raising Awareness

Another case of using project learning may be creating a video piece on a public issue, change, or topic. It may resort to a health issue, new policy, or social stereotypes. Such an activity will require students to do polls, research the issue, script, and film the video. 

How will it contribute? Well, it will certainly foster creativity and media literacy and develop scriptwriting skills. Thus, such a task can be a great fit for arts, media, or technology curriculums. 

What are project-based learning ideas that can be used for business training and academies?  Within corporate training , trainers may ask for a video promoting corporate culture or a training piece for new employees. In the case of film courses, the PBL example may be an ad for the product or a documentary on a certain issue.

Example#3. Answering Events or Shifts with a Report

Within this project, students will have to analyze and respond to current events, such as changes in prices, new policies, or cultural shifts. The students will need to gather data, evaluate the impact of events, and create reports or presentations. 

What will they learn? There will be a significant focus on data analysis and skills related to problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making. Also, such a project will foster civic engagement and improve students’ knowledge of social studies and economics.

What are similar project-based learning ideas for academics? In academies, a similar project will relate to market analysis; under leadership programs, it can refer to the analysis of the management style change.

Example#4. Making a Community Mural

One more popular project learning example is the creation of a community mural that reflects local culture and answers certain issues. Within such a project, they are likely to collaborate a lot, do planning and sketching, as well as creating the mural.

Learning outcomes and impact on skills: This project will help them improve design thinking, develop artistic expression, teamwork, and communication skills, and add to their understanding of the local community. 

What are alternatives to this project in business settings or academies? In academies, the project may refer to large-scale installations. For a corporate setting, an alternative can be a project on developing a corporate culture or team building.

Example#5. Launching a Donation Event & Volunteering

Next, we’d like to consider donation events and volunteering which are popular events for universities or summer schools. There, students have a task to organize a donation event or create a volunteer project to support a local cause. 

What knowledge do students acquire? They learn how to plan, promote, and execute events and explore the concept of social responsibility. It also adds to community development and project management skills. This project can significantly contribute to students’ organizational and leadership abilities. 

In business settings, this PBL can be adapted to corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Example#6. Recording Your Podcast

What is the way to teach your students some technical and creative skills? Challenge students to produce a podcast related to a specific topic. To succeed, they will need to analyze the issue, prepare information, plan, and script the interview, invite a guest, and do the recording.

What is the impact on students? For students, it can result in learning skills related to content creation and audio production, storytelling, and interviewing. The project can add to the technical and communication abilities of young students.

In employee training , this PBL can be adapted to internal communication projects or expertise-sharing workshops within personal development plans.

Example#7. Going on a Field Trip 

Besides, you can organize a trip for students outside of the educational facility to study another organization, event, or ecosystem and make a presentation.

As students develop questions, analyze the environment and plan activities, it will allow them to develop critical thinking. Moreover, if it is a trip to a certain organization, like a governmental agency students can study via vicarious and experiential types of learning.

What about project learning ideas for business? For employee training, you can organize cross-departmental sessions for employees to learn from their colleagues. In particular, you can run an online tour for sales teams, where the Head of Product shows how the product is developed to help them understand and sell it better.

Example#8. Organizing a Role Playing Game

Besides, an example of project-based learning is a role-playing game or scenario. It can relate to a specific event, a legal trial, or a round of negotiations. 

As a student will represent a certain person, specialist, or expert, they will need to research the role, prepare their position and arguments, and engage in a debate.

What are the benefits of problem-based learning in this regard? It will allow deep learning of a certain issue and improve their public speaking and argumentation skills. It is a way to raise critical thinkers. Depending on the task, it can contribute to the understanding of history, law, and social studies.

What about using similar cases or project-based learning ideas for business? You can organize role-playing for leadership training regarding management or conflict resolution. In academies, you can develop simulation exercises. 

Example#9. Preparing a Business or Elevator Pitch

Lastly, you can integrate the following PBL project: elevator pitch for a startup, business, or product. For this project, they will need to develop business plans, analyze strengths, practice pitching, and persuade peers to support the idea. ‍

What are learning outcomes? Well, the students are likely to develop entrepreneurial skills, learn business planning, and enhance public speaking. Besides, they will know more about economics, PR, and marketing. 

Is there an application for academies or enterprises? Corporate trainers can adopt it for sales training; academies can use it for startup incubator or accelerator programs.

What Are the Challenges of Project-Based Learning?

Teachers can find numerous ways to integrate project-based learning into the curriculum. However, with the numerous benefits the exciting projects allow, such an approach can bring challenges. 

What are the common project-based challenges?

• Difficulties in implementation;
• Lack of readiness and preparedness from instructors;
• Lack of time and resources;
• Project management issues;
• Effective assessment tools.

There, the possible solutions will refer to clear learning goals and increased staff collaboration, institutional support and training for instructors; effective planning strategies; and support of formative and summative assessments alongside peer reviews.

How to Get Started With Project-Based Learning?

So, project-based learning is indeed a powerful method for teachers, instructors, instructional designers, and training providers. It fits not only classrooms but employee training programs and business academies. So where to start? 

First, you should resort to PBL Golden Standard , a research-improved model for teachers by Buck Institute for Education, to know project-based learning key elements and design a project. 

It means you will need to pose a challenging problem and ask students to focus on making an inquiry. Next, you will create an environment to support a student voice, provide room for reflection, offer check-ins, and ask them to showcase the result.

What is a more common framework? Use a standard model for program creation and consider the peculiarities of this teaching method. 

The Steps to Implement PBL in the Classroom

• Step #1. Begin with the challenge or issue. Do the research and find a problem that is big enough, relevant to your students or community members, is open-ended, and does not offer one solution.
• Step #2. Create a plan for a project. Based on your analysis of the issue, consider the subject areas, activities, and materials for the students to encounter, and link them to learning outcomes and curriculum. Also, add a separate project-based instruction on the task for students.
• Step #3. Develop a schedule. Despite that students do the project, you should thoroughly plan the timeline, benchmarks, and deadlines.
• Step #4. Keep track of what students do and the project’s status. Next, you should help define roles, support their collaboration, offer relevant materials in class, help with assigning responsibilities, and provide guidance.
• Step #5. Evaluate the result and experience. Next, based on the criteria, define how well students did the project. Evaluate how well they engaged, how they answered the questions, and which skills they developed. At the same time, do not ignore their experience, form discussions for students to reflect and share opinions.

Note . Consider using resources and technology tools for effective project-based learning. What are they? Think of using special project-based lesson plans or different foundations . For online or blended projects, you should consider collaborative learning tools or a learning management system to plan assignments correctly.

How Can LMS Contribute to Online Project-Based Learning?

Implementing project-based learning in a classroom can be tough. But what if you want to use it for your online course or blended learning? It is not easy as well. 

There, you are likely to need a set of tools to collaborate with students, set and manage tasks, and provide content. What are your options? 

• 1. Set of collaboration, communication, and project management tools. 
• 2. A learning management system with management and social learning features. 

Read more: How Projector Institute Uses LMS to Provide Courses?  

LMS can be a better option for large projects, especially within schools, academies, or bootcamps. Why? 

It offers an environment similar to the classroom, focusing on the provision of a centralized system for learning provision and management. 

Let’s look at the particular features that can help set an environment for project learning.

• Collaboration tools: An LMS with such a tool helps an instructor to break students into groups, organize live sessions, and set communication channels to collaborate effectively.
• Peer and instructor reviews. The LMS allows instructors to set up regular check-ins with groups, gather feedback, and ask other students to review the tasks of peers.
• Assignment management: Some LMSs simplify the process of managing assignments. For instance, EducateMe provides a Kanban approach and Calendar feature. That way, it is easier to track progress, remind students about the deadlines, and set Q&A sessions.
• Content provision options: Lastly, most LMS platforms provide decent ways to deliver content for the students and guide them in a project.

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What is PBL?

Project Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects.

In Project Based Learning, teachers make learning come alive for students.

Students work on a project over an extended period of time – from a week up to a semester – that engages them in solving a real-world problem or answering a complex question. They demonstrate their knowledge and skills by creating a public product or presentation for a real audience.

As a result, students develop deep content knowledge as well as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication skills. Project Based Learning unleashes a contagious, creative energy among students and teachers.

And in case you were looking for a more formal definition...

Project Based Learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging, and complex question, problem, or challenge.

Watch Project Based Learning in Action

These 7-10 minute videos show the Gold Standard PBL model in action, capturing the nuts and bolts of a PBL unit from beginning to end.

VIDEO: The Water Quality Project

VIDEO: March Through Nashville

VIDEO: The Tiny House Project

How does pbl differ from “doing a project”.

PBL is becoming widely used in schools and other educational settings, with different varieties being practiced. However, there are key characteristics that differentiate "doing a project" from engaging in rigorous Project Based Learning.

We find it helpful to distinguish a "dessert project" -  a short, intellectually-light project served up after the teacher covers the content of a unit in the usual way - from a "main course" project, in which the project is the unit. In Project Based Learning, the project is the vehicle for teaching the important knowledge and skills student need to learn. The project contains and frames curriculum and instruction.

In contrast to dessert projects, PBL requires critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, and various forms of communication. To answer a driving question and create high-quality work, students need to do much more than remember information. They need to use higher-order thinking skills and learn to work as a team.

Learn more about "dessert" projects vs PBL

The gold standard for high-quality PBL

To help ensure your students are getting the main course and are engaging in quality Project Based Learning, PBLWorks promotes a research-informed model for “Gold Standard PBL.” 

The Gold Standard PBL model encompasses two useful guides for educators: 

1)  Seven Essential Project Design Elements  provide a framework for developing high quality projects for your classroom, and

2)  Seven Project Based Teaching Practices   help teachers, schools, and organizations improve, calibrate, and assess their practice.

The Gold Standard PBL model aligns with the High Quality PBL Framework . This framework describes what students should be doing, learning, and experiencing in a good project. Learn more at HQPBL.org .

Yes, we provide PBL training for educators! PBLWorks offers a variety of workshops, courses and services for teachers, school and district leaders, and instructional coaches to get started and advance their practice with Project Based Learning. Learn more

See Sample Projects

Explore our expanding library of project ideas, with over 80 projects that are standards-aligned, and cover a range of grade levels and subject areas.

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Project-Based Learning (PBL) Benefits, Examples & 10 Ideas for Classroom Implementation

Written by Marcus Guido

• Teacher Resources
• Teaching Strategies

• Project-based learning definition
• Why is project-based learning important?
• Key characteristics of project-based learning
• What are some project-based learning examples
• 10 Project-based learning ideas for your classroom
• Notable and effective project-based learning examples
• Pros and cons of project-based learning in the 21st century

For some teachers, project-based learning (PBL)  is classroom bliss.

Students work together to investigate an authentic and nuanced real-world problem. They build curriculum-aligned skills in the process. They’re rewarded with enhanced communication and problem-solving skills .

But organizing and running suitable PBL activities isn’t always easy, as the pedagogy is surrounded by debate and takes form in a range of exercises.

Find and facilitate the most appropriate project-based learning examples for your students.

These sections will help you determine if the pedagogy is worthwhile. If so, you’ll come away with a handful of effective ideas to implement easily.

What is project-based learning?

Project-based learning (PBL) or project-based instruction is a student-centered teaching method that encourages learning through engaging, real-world, curriculum-related questions or challenges.

This, of course, goes deeper than doing any old project. The goal is to get students to engage with a question or challenge that requires concentration and nuanced problem-solving skills.

This question or challenge must:

• Be open-ended
• Encourage students to apply skills and knowledge they’ve developed in your classes
• Allow students to take their own approaches to develop an answer and deliver a product

As you can see, project-based learning doesn’t conform to rote approaches or teacher-led instruction.

Driven by critical thinking, it’s often interdisciplinary and encourages students to take a rewarding-yet-challenging road to skill-building and knowledge acquisition through a nuanced learning process.

Project-based learning boosts classroom engagement and has a direct impact on how well students are prepared to enter the workforce once they graduate. 

A growing focus on 21st century skills and critical thinking means project-based learning is gaining steam in education. In addition, PBL can help educators:

• Teach students personal responsibility and critical time management skills
• Design assignments that hit higher-order stages in Bloom’s taxonomy like analysis, synthesis and evaluation
• Provide multiple ways of assessing students at different stages of the project, whether through a portfolio, annotated bibliography, outline, draft product or finished project

When students leave school, they’ll need to understand that work isn’t as straightforward as lectures and homework. It’s more aligned with a project-based approach, where employees are expected to prioritize, manage their time and deliver work on a deadline. Project-based learning helps teach students:

• Creative problem-solving skills
• The importance of collaboration
• How to find the right tools for the job
• How to build independent learning and project management skills
• How to use relevant technology to find resources, communicate and produce a final product

Project-based learning is important because it helps students approach meaningful learning opportunities with curiosity, while also giving them real-world skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives. 

Project-based learning isn’t just group work or a randomly assigned project. Let’s take a look at some of the key characteristics to help you build your own project-based learning assignment:

1. Project-based learning presents an open-ended, appropriately complex question.

Students should have to do deep research, draw on existing knowledge and come up with a solution in the form of a final project — whether that’s a presentation, proposal, essay or other product. 

Students should have a choice in what they explore, and the questions they answer should be genuinely challenging with real-world applications.

2. Project-based learning relates to knowledge acquired through classroom lessons.

Not only should project-based learning build on your classroom lessons, but it should give students the opportunity to put them to use in a real-world setting. Project-based learning encourages students to dive deeper into the subject matter and builds on content knowledge.

Ultimately, this content knowledge should have real-world applications that students can focus on during the project.

3. Project-based learning requires students to find their own solutions to a given problem or question.

Just because the inspiration for project-based learning assignments comes from your lectures, doesn’t mean it should stay there. Effective PBL comes from requiring students to find their own solutions to a given problem — not just plugging in a formula to find the answer. 

In practice, this looks like a real-world project with extended inquiry. It should be a multi-stage process with, if necessary, multiple deliverables at different stages to keep students on track.

4. Project-based learning gives students a choice in how they learn. 

Students learn best when they’re studying something that captures their imagination and interest. Regardless of the end product, students should have as much autonomy as possible in what they make and how. They should learn how to communicate ideas in a group and on their own, and really bring their passion for the project to the forefront.

5. Project-based learning follows a clear, well-defined set of assessment criteria.

The best way to keep project-based learning on track and effective is to let students know what’s expected of them.

At the beginning of the project, give students a rubric and handouts outlining:

• How the project will be graded
• All the products they’ll be required to hand in
• How they should work independently or in a group

Some teachers may even choose to collaborate with students in the development of the rubric and project criteria so they may feel a deeper understanding of the project expectations.

When students know what’s expected of them, they’re more likely to succeed.

A simple example of project-based learning

The PBL process is straightforward.

• You present the  issue, methods of investigation and any supplementary materials.  It’s up to your students to  deliver a defined product .
• Next, encourage students to  reflect  on their work and make revisions, ultimately  delivering a presentation  to their peers.

In social studies, for example, you could task students with conceptualizing and mapping out a smartphone app that addresses a problem within your country. To add a math element, they can budget the necessary resources to develop it.

Despite this clear-cut process, there’s a lot of space for diverse tasks and differentiation in general.

As a type of active learning and inquiry-based learning , examples of project-based learning depend on yourself and your students. As John Dewey famously wrote in My Pedagogic Creed :

The teacher is not in the school to impose certain ideas or to form certain habits in the child, but is there as a member of the community to select the influences which shall affect the child and to assist him in properly responding.

Following this philosophy, it’s probable – and ideal – that any project-based learning exercise you run looks different from those run by your colleagues.

What matters is prioritizing your students’ needs and learning styles above the curriculum.

10 Project-based learning ideas your class will love

As you can see, it’s not always easy to come up with a “project” that meets these requirements. Ideating a driving question into meaningful learning experiences that have real-world applications is no small task. 

But that’s what we’re here to help with. Below are 10 of our ideas to inspire your project-based learning exercises.

1. Play area

Give students an opportunity to apply their geometry skills by designing a new playground for the school.

Using a range of free web applications, or simply grid paper and a pencil, task them with mapping out the playground while meeting certain conditions. These conditions should be based on including a certain number of 2D or 3D shapes in the components of the playground, such as slides and monkey bars. For example, at least two isosceles triangles, three equilateral triangles, four squares and so on. Once complete, each student must calculate the area and perimeter of his or her playground, as well as each component.

2. Your very own math story

Fuse math with visual and language arts by asking students to write their own  math books .

Taking the form of an original short story, require students to cover a certain number of curriculum skills. They should explain and exemplify each skill within the context of the story, inherently allowing them to improve understanding. In exemplifying how to use a given skill, students should teach themselves its importance for a real-world scenario. You should notice improved retention as a result.

Is it hard to get your students excited about math? Try turning it into an engaging game-based learning adventure!

3. Favorite recipes

Take a mathematical approach to nutrition by having your class analyze their favorite foods and dishes for presentations about select recipes.

Each student should choose a main course, two sides and a dessert. They must then create and deliver presentations about how to make the dishes. But instead of standard cooking advice, the focus is nutritional values – calories, carbohydrates, daily vitamin intake and so on – based on the ingredients. You may need to provide a go-to resource for students to find this information, but the onus for creating a healthy meal is on them. Bon appetit !

4. What happened to the dinosaurs?

Satiate your students’ curiosity and probable love of dinosaurs by having them research and argue what caused their extinction, crafting a visual display to illustrate findings.

As the dinosaurs’ extinction remains a debate that can draw students into a rabbit hole, consider providing questions to guide their research. How did the planet change from the Triassic to Cretaceous period? How prevalent were carnivores compared with omnivores and herbivores? Such guiding questions should allow students to reach informed opinions, writing reports to defend those opinions and allowing them to craft creative visualizations.

5. Ancient civilization of needs

Combine history, anthropology and psychology through this project, requiring learners to envision newly-discovered ancient civilizations.

The basic premise is to borrow elements from other ancient societies, creating a unique one. But there’s a catch – the society must satisfy each tier in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. If students are not familiar with the theory, present it along with guiding questions.

For example, “Which tier of the pyramid is most important for society to function?” These questions should encourage students to develop a collection of products, including: a written explanation of the society and how it meets Maslow’s hierarchy of needs ; an analysis of the elements borrowed from other ancient civilizations; a visual depiction of the society and more.

6. Where it comes from

Launch this independent or paired study activity to explore how ancient machines are still present in modern-day science and engineering.

The exercise starts with each student or pair choosing a simple machine – a pulley, lever, wedge and so on – or another ancient tool. They must research the history of their tools, determining how and where scientists and engineers still use them today. Students can then envision how the same tools will work as part of inventions 100 years into the future. They can produce videos, presentations or mock interviews with inventors to showcase their research and ideas.

7. The Oscar goes to …

Have students script a part of a significant historical event to exercise their drama, history, and creative writing skills.

Whether a battle, court proceeding or formation of a powerful organization, have students choose from a list of events. Each learner’s goal is to thoroughly research an event, forming a cohesive string of scenes they’d watch in a movie or television show. This will allow them to write scripts, highlighting each figure’s motives and background. They must also pay particular attention to historical accuracy in terms of dialogue and settings. After you’ve approved each student’s script, they can form small groups and choose their favorite, acting it out in front of the class.

8. Fashionista

Encourage students to take the roles of fashion designers and marketers with a scenario that combines business with visual and language arts.

This scenario entails a client – played by you – asking fashion agencies – played by small student groups – to manage the creation and launch of a specific clothing item, such as a dress or jacket. Although your idea is crystal clear, you’re having a hard time communicating it. So, the agencies must start the project by developing a questionnaire to draw answers from you. As you respond to each agency, they can begin the next steps. These can include designing mock-ups, writing advertisements and calculating an appropriate sale price. After this work is done, each agency will pitch their version of the item to you. You determine who best captured the client’s ideas.

9. A career with math

Give students a chance to look towards the future, investigating a career path that heavily relies on math.

You can present a list of relevant careers or have students suggest their own. Either way, choosing a career will launch the investigation process. Each student must research the career, writing a brief report about how professionals use math in daily duties. From there, students should be able to choose a skill used in their selected procession, linking it to a skill in the curriculum. The final task is to write a textbook chapter that explains the skill while offering specific examples of how and when it is used in the given career.  

10. The economics of pizza

Analyze, from a mathematical perspective , many students’ favorite meal: pizza.

This project-based learning assessment starts by choosing a pizza chain, researching its prices and applying linear algebra concepts to find the base cost of a pizza. These same concepts will allow students to determine how much each additional topping costs.

But the task isn’t done there. Students should research – individually or in small groups – how much it costs to source each topping. They can then determine which type of pizza yields the greatest and smallest profit margins. Doing so acts as an introduction to basic economic concepts, encouraging students to critically think about business.

Notable examples of project-based learning

Your inspiration doesn’t have to be limited to isolated activities like the ones above! There are many notable examples of project-based learning initiatives.

You’ll likely be able to freely borrow ideas from these institutions:

1. THINK Global School

Calling itself the “world’s first traveling high school,” THINK Global School  has its students live in four countries per year while developing curriculum knowledge entirely through project-based learning.

The projects are rooted in the cultures and environments surrounding the students.

2. Muscatine High School

An oft-referenced example of commitment to project-based learning, Muscatine High School  in Iowa worked with a third-party organization to implement project-based learning opportunities across classes and subjects.

The projects are diverse, ranging from developing personal financial plans to exploring local history through interviews with community members.

3. EdVisions

A non-profit organization,  EdVisions ’ mission is “to help create and sustain great schools … using the most student-centered teaching and learning.” This largely involves partnering with schools to implement project-based learning opportunities.

The organization does so by working with a given school to identify students’ learning needs and preferences, tailoring projects to them. This serves as an important reminder: project-based learning starts and ends with students in mind.

However, educators are still asking some important questions...

With such complex demands in today’s educational system, educators worldwide are asking if elementary students can effectively complete research projects?

Will they still meet required learning objectives with the teacher serving as a guide instead of teaching the curriculum in a direct, traditional manner?

The project-based learning ideas above can be incredibly useful in the right setting and with the right students. However, there are some perceived benefits and disadvantages worth outlining.

Benefits and disadvantages of project-based learning

Debate permeates discussions about project-based learning.

It’s up to you to understand the pros and cons, applying them to your classroom situation to make a decision about a given activity.

Key benefits of project-based learning:

• Increased engagement –  Project-based learning empowers students to play an active role in learning, as the complex tasks they take on demand novel approaches and are relevant to real-world contexts. This creates a classroom environment in which students overwhelmingly report feeling engaged, according to a  meta analysis of 82 studies .
• Better knowledge retention –  Compared with traditional instruction,  extensive research  indicates that students who complete project-based learning exercises and assessments often show superior knowledge retention in a range of subjects from math to second-language learning. This can translate to higher performance on tests, according to a  2011 study .
• Improved critical thinking abilities –  The process of completing and delivering a project-generated product inherently builds problem-solving abilities, according to  research from as recent as 2010 . This is because students must heavily exercise those abilities, applying them in tangible contexts. For these reasons, the research indicates that students in project-based learning environments can better use problem-solving skills out of school than those in traditional learning settings.
• More opportunities to explore EdTech –  Project-based learning, by nature, enables students to use EdTech and explore Internet resources and technology tools. For example, independent research is likely rooted in online searches. EdTech, on the other hand, can lend itself to creating and delivering artifacts.

Disadvantages of project-based learning

• Subjectivity in assessments –  When grading a project-based learning product, many critics will say you’re closing the door on objectivity. This is because, as opposed to using standardized forms of measurement, you’ll rely on subjectively assessing a range of products. For these reasons, there’s an argument that you shouldn’t use project-based learning for a large part of students’ marks.
• Hyper-focus on product creation –  It’s possible for the day-to-day focus of project-based learning to transition from developing and applying essential skills to merely working on a product. When this happens, you can debate that students won’t reap benefits such as improved problem solving and knowledge retention.
• Questionable application in mathematics –  Largely skill-based for elementary learners, dedicating time to project-based learning may not be the best use of time. Consider this: Would students better understand multiplication by applying it in a project-based learning context, or by running through drills and  word problems ?

Armed with this knowledge, it’s ultimately your decision to bring project-based learning into your classroom.

A quality project will both engage students’ interests and align with what’s being taught, so keep that in mind for the most successful outcome. 

Final thoughts on building PBL exercises

After going through this, you should have a better understanding of project-based learning as a pedagogy, as well as how to create a project design and launch it.

Just remember that the teaching method must be student-centered. What works for some teachers may not work for you, and what works for you may not work for others.

But you’ll never know until you try.

👉 Create or log in to your teacher on Prodigy – a game-based learning platform for math that’s curriculum-aligned and used by over 100 million teachers, students and parents worldwide.

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12 Creative Project Based Learning Examples

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Are you looking for some great project based learning examples? In education, teachers are continually seeking creative ways to captivate their students’ interest and foster a love for learning. One approach gaining popularity is Project-Based Learning (PBL), a student-centered type of learning that allows students to explore real-world problems and challenges. For upper elementary teachers, integrating PBL into the curriculum can be an amazing experience, promoting critical thinking, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of academic concepts. In this blog post, we’ll explore a variety of engaging project-based learning examples that can be easily incorporated into upper elementary classrooms.

Looking for project based learning activities for the entire year? The amazing Project Based Learning Bundle is jam-packet with fun and engaging PBL Units for the year!

12 Fun Project Based Learning Examples

1.Plan a Road Trip:

What better way to have students use real-life math, reading, and writing skills than with this fun, high-interest Plan a Road Trip Project ? Now includes a DIGITAL version! In this unit, students will have the opportunity to plan a trip and persuade others to visit their chosen destination!

2. City Planning Simulation:

Opinion writing challenges students to think critically about the world around them. As they form and defend their opinions, they learn to analyze information, consider multiple viewpoints, and make informed decisions. This is not an easy task, but these prompts do help! Use prompts that require students to support their opinions with evidence, helping them develop the skills needed for logical reasoning.

3. Science Fair Investigation

Have students conduct their own scientific experiments and present their findings in a science fair format. This project promotes inquiry-based learning, scientific method understanding, and presentation skills.

4. Create a Planet:

Students LOVE real-life learning, and this Create a Planet PBL unit will have them asking for more units just like it! Students can plan their very own planet, create a model, design a planet brochure, and so much more! This is a favorite in our list of project based learning examples.

5. Entrepreneurship Challenge

Encourage students to develop and launch their own small businesses. From creating a business plan to marketing and financial management, this project integrates concepts from mathematics, language arts, and social studies while fostering entrepreneurial skills.

6. Weather Station Design

Challenge students to design and build their own weather stations. This interdisciplinary project incorporates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) principles as students learn about meteorology, design sensors, and analyze data. This is a must-do on our list of project based learning examples!

7. Design a Waterpark

Students LOVE real-life learning, and this Design a Water Park Project will have them asking for more units just like it! Students will have the opportunity to design their very own waterpark, create and design a park map, write a description of the world’s best waterpark, and so much more! What better way to have students use real-life math, reading, and writing skills than with this fun project based learning activity?

8. Culinary Exploration

Engage students in a culinary project where they research, plan, and prepare a meal from a specific culture. This hands-on experience not only connects to social studies but also incorporates math skills through measurements and conversions. How fun is this option on our list of project based learning examples?

9. Design a Haunted House

Halloween activities like this original Design a Haunted House PBL Unit will get your students excited about learning like never before! What better way to have students use real-life Halloween math, reading, and writing skills? In this unit, students will have the opportunity to plan and design a haunted house and persuade others to visit their haunted attraction!

10. Start a Smoothie Stand

Students LOVE real-life learning, and this Start a Smoothie Stand PBL unit will have them asking for more units just like it! Students will have the opportunity to plan their very own smoothie stand, create and design a menu, write directions for making the world’s best smoothie, and so much more! What better way to have students use real-life math, reading, and writing skills than with this fun project based learning activity?

11. Biography Multimedia Showcase

Assign each student or group a historical figure and task them with creating a multimedia showcase. This can include research, written biographies, artistic representations, and oral presentations, fostering a deeper understanding of history, language arts, and technology.

12. Invention Convention

Inspire creativity and problem-solving by organizing an Invention Convention. Students can identify everyday problems, brainstorm solutions, and prototype their inventions. This project involves science, engineering, and presentation skills. What a great option on our list of project based learning examples!

As we finish this list of project based learning examples, picture your classroom buzzing with excitement, curiosity, and collaboration! These projects not only align with academic standards but also cultivate essential life skills, preparing our students for a future where adaptability, creativity, and critical thinking are top priority. Embrace the journey of Project-Based Learning, where education transcends the confines of textbooks and is a world of authentic, hands-on discovery.

READY-TO-GO PBL ACTIVITIES

I hope you and your students love project based learning as much as I do!

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Shelly Rees

Hi, I’m Shelly! Thank you for being here. I love helping third, fourth, and fifth grade teachers with fun and engaging activities that require no to little prep! Let me help you by taking some of the stress and work off your plate.

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How Does Project-Based Learning Work?

Tools for understanding the process of planning and building projects.

Project-based learning, as with all lessons, requires much preparation and planning. It begins with an idea and an essential question. When you are designing the project and the essential question that will launch the activities, it is important to remember that many content standards will be addressed. With these standards in mind, devise a plan that will integrate as many subjects as possible into the project.

Have in mind what materials and resources will be accessible to the students. Next, students will need assistance in managing their time -- a definite life skill. Finally, have multiple means for assessing your students' completion of the project: Did the students master the content? Were they able to apply their new knowledge and skills? Many educators involve their students in developing these rubrics.

Here are steps for implementing PBL, which are detailed below:

Start with the Essential Question

Design a plan for the project, create a schedule, monitor the students and the progress of the project, assess the outcome, evaluate the experience.

The question that will launch a PBL lesson must be one that will engage your students. It is greater than the task at hand. It is open ended. It will pose a problem or a situation they can tackle, knowing that there is no one answer or solution.

"Questions may be the most powerful technology we have ever created. Questions and questioning allow us to make sense of a confusing world. They are the tools that lead to insight and understanding." --Jamie McKenzie, The Question Mark

Take a real-world topic and begin an in-depth investigation. Base your question on an authentic situation or topic. What is happening in your classroom? In your community? Select a question about an issue students will believe that, by answering, they are having an impact on. Make it relevant for them. The question should be a "now" question -- a question that has meaning in your students' lives.

Among many other wonderful resources for understanding PBL, the Buck Institute for Education (BIE) offers a great tutorial on how to "Craft the Driving Question." BIE consultant Andrew Miller recently wrote two blog posts for Edutopia.org, How to Write Effective Driving Questions for Project-Based Learning and How to Refine Driving Questions for Effective Project-Based Learning .

Edutopia.org PBL blogger Suzie Boss describes a variety of project kickoff ideas in How to Get Projects Off to a Good Start .

When designing the project, it is essential that you have in mind which content standards will be addressed. Involve the students in planning; they will feel ownership of the project when they are actively involved in decision making. Select activities that support the question and utilize the curriculum, thus fueling the process. Integrate as many subjects as possible into the project. Know what materials and resources will be accessible to the students to assist them. Be prepared to delve deeper into new topics and new issues that arise as the students become increasingly involved in the active pursuit of answers.

Design a timeline for project components. Realize that changes to the schedule will happen. Be flexible, but help the students realize that a time will come when they need to finalize their thoughts, findings, and evaluations. Consider these issues when creating a schedule:

"We have to know the curriculum. We've got to know the standards inside and out. Even though it looks like the kids are doing all the hard work, there's a lot of planning that goes on behind it to make sure that the work is there for them." --Patty Vreeland, kindergarten and first-grade teacher, Newsome Park Elementary School, Newport News, Virginia

• What time allotment will be given to the project?
• Will this project be conducted during the entire school day or during dedicated blocks of time?
• How many days will be devoted to the project?

Enable success by practicing the following tactics:

• Help students who may not perceive time limits.
• Set benchmarks.
• Give students direction for managing their time.
• Teach them how to schedule their tasks.
• Remind them of the timeline.
• Help them set deadlines.
• Keep the essential question simple and age appropriate.
• Initiate projects that will let all students meet with success.

Also, allow students to go in new directions, but guide them when they appear to digress from the project. When a group seems to be going in a different direction, ask the students to explain the reasoning behind their actions. They may have an insight to a solution you haven't seen. Help the children stay on course, but don't accidentally set limitations.

Check out guest blogger Andrew Miller's post How to Build a Calendar for Project-Based Learning for more tips on scheduling.

To maintain control without preventing students from taking responsibility for their work, follow these steps:

• Facilitate the process and the love of learning.
• Teach the students how to work collaboratively.
• Designate fluid roles for group members.
• Have students choose their primary roles, but assume responsibility and interactivity for all group roles.
• Remind them that every part of the process belongs to each individual and needs each student's total involvement.
• Provide resources and guidance.
• Assess the process by creating team and project rubrics.

"As the number of ideas to consider or the number of procedures that need to be followed increases, students may need to stay organized, track their progress, and maintain a focus on the problem rather than get confused by its elements." --Phyllis P. Blumenfeld and others, "Motivating Project-Based Learning: Sustaining the Doing, Supporting the Learning," Educational Psychologist magazine

What's the difference between team rubrics and project rubrics?

Team rubrics state the expectations of each team member: Watch the group dynamics. How well are the members participating? How engaged are they in the process? Assess the outcome.

Project rubrics, on the other hand, ask these questions: What is required for project completion? What is the final product: A document? A multimedia presentation? A poster? A combination of products? What does a good report, multimedia presentation, poster, or other product look like? Make the requirements clear to the students so they can all meet with success.

Discovery Education offers a great resource; a collection of assessment rubrics and graphic organizers that may be helpful to you as you create your own.

Assessment meets many needs. It

• provides diagnostic feedback.
• helps educators set standards.
• allows one to evaluate progress and relate that progress to others.
• gives students feedback on how well they understand the information and on what they need to improve.
• helps the teacher design instruction to teach more effectively.

"Project-based learning is focused on teaching by engaging students in investigation. Within this framework, students pursue solutions to nontrivial problems by asking and refining questions, debating ideas, making predictions, designing plans and/or experiments, collecting and analyzing data, drawing conclusions, communicating their ideas and findings to others, asking new questions, and creating artifacts (e.g., a model, a report, a videotape, or a computer program)." --Phyllis P. Blumenfeld and others, "Motivating Project-Based Learning: Sustaining the Doing, Supporting the Learning," Educational Psychologist magazine

Whenever possible, give the students the opportunity to conduct self-assessment. When a student's assessment and the teacher's assessment don't agree, schedule a student-teacher conference to let the student explain in more detail his or her understanding of the content and justify the outcome.

Edutopia.org PBL blogger Suzie Boss also wrote a great post on culminating events in How to End Projects on a High Note .

Little time for reflection is available in the busy schedule of the school day, yet reflection is a key component of learning. How do we expect our students to synthesize new knowledge if they are not given time to reflect on what they have discovered? Too often, we teachers do not allow ourselves that time, either. Designate a time for reflection of the daily activities. Allow for individual reflection, such as journaling, as well as group reflection and discussion. (For example, validate what students have learned and make suggestions for improvements.)

To enable effective self-evaluation, follow these steps:

• Take time to reflect, individually and as a group.
• Share feelings and experiences.
• Discuss what worked well.
• Discuss what needs change.
• Share ideas that will lead to new questions and new projects.

Continue to the next section of the guide, Workshop Activities .

This guide is organized into six sections:

• Introduction
• Why Is PBL Important?
• What Is PBL About?
• How Does PBL Work?
• Workshop Activities
• Resources for PBL

10 creative service learning projects to inspire your students

Service-learning is a fantastic pedagogie to use in the classroom to create student engagement and facilitate student’s personal growth. Service-learning projects enable students to connect what is being learned in the classroom with practical experience with the community. Not only does this give students a different insight into their lives, but challenges their perspective of the world around them and how they fit into it.

What learning objectives do service-learning projects answer to?

Service-learning is a versatile instructional strategy that can be applied to several different subjects across different grades. It is particularly useful in achieving learning objectives that involve [1] :

• Critical thinking – the synthesis and analysis of information to solve complex problems with multiple possible solutions
• Problem-solving – the application of concepts and knowledge to practice in new contexts
• Communication skills – effective written, oral and visual communication
• Teamwork – working collaboratively with others, especially across difference and diversity
• Responsibility – exercise well-reasoned judgement and taking ownership of learning

  Citizenship – using the disciplines knowledge base to address social issues, as well as developing the skills and habits for critical reflection

These different learning objectives are built into the five stages of service-learning, which include:

• Investigate – Learners understand that investigating the needs of the community makes service effective
• Preparation and Planning – Learners understand that preparation and planning ensure that the goals and needs are met
• Action – Learners understand that implementing a plan of action generates change and results
• Reflection (trans-disciplinary)- Learners understand that reflection is ongoing, prompting deep thinking and analysis about themselves and their relationship to society
• Demonstration/Communication (trans-disciplinary) – Learners recognize that through demonstration and communication they solidify their understanding and evoke a response from others.

Throughout the five stages of any service-learning project, students are challenged to expand their thinking of the world around them, which leads to personal growth. The skills learnt in each stage of the service-learning project creates opportunities for personal growth in terms of how students think and act. This fosters passion and empathy, helping students understand diversity and the challenges that others are going through and how to find solutions to them.

What do service-learning projects look like in and out of classrooms?

The benefits of service-learning within the school environment are endless, although finding the right projects to take part in can sometimes be a challenge. When deciding on a service-learning project, it is essential to look at the needs, challenges, issues and problems within your community. Finding a community partner who is open to working with your school and developing  projects around their needs and your learning outcomes is essential. We advise on partnerships with people, animals and the environment to provide voice and choice with students and projects. We have selected a few examples and these can be found on our Serve Learn Youtube channel: LINK

Take a look at some of our favorite examples of service-learning projects below [2][3] :

Health and wellness focus

• Create a campaign focused on health or prevention topics
• Establish a project that aims to provide elderly members of the community with companionship
•   Learn and create a program around good nutrition and its importance to the community

Community service focus

• Survey your school or neighborhood to find out what people think the issues are that need to be addressed. Publish and present the results
• Find, interview and write the histories of diverse people in your community
• Hold a clothing drive and deliver items to homeless shelters or communities in need

Environmental focus

• Fundraise for money to plant trees or gardens in the community that will feed people
• Grow trees for reforestation in the local community
• Create community gardens to help feed those in need
• Test school and community drinking water for dangerous chemicals and inform people of the results
• Clean up a vacant lot and landscape with native vegetation
•   Research the need to reduce litter inside and outside your school or other public areas and propose a solution and action campaign

Safety focus

• Produce an anti-crime, anti-drug, anti-violence play and perform it for the community
•   Create a public service announcement (PSA) on a safety issue
• Create a play that teaches young children how to stay safe at home while their parents are away and perform this in underprivileged schools
• Hold a silent auction in support of a cause, with artwork created by students around a concept such as Human Rights
•   Have students host a holiday art class, create art with community partners
• Use recycling to produce products to generate an income for a partner 

Inclusion focus

• Make maps of your community for newcomers and highlight useful resources
• Create and distribute a list of hotlines or agency links for kids who might need help
• Make posters or collages that promote tolerance and understanding of difference. Post them in your school
• Start an anti-bullying campaign
• Set up a buddy system at your school for kids with special needs

Animal focus

• Create fliers to distribute to pet owners about the nutritional needs of pets
• Start a bird sanctuary. Build bird feeders, plant trees and write journal entries about birds for younger grades
• Knit nests, pouches, or build bird boxes for wildlife sanctuaries

Internal school focus

• Design and paint a mural for the outside of your school to inspire learning
• Create a student-run conference on a concept such as poverty, diversity, equity, sustainability to build understanding of global and local issues. Have booths, breakout sessions and speakers

Literacy focus

• Develop booklets on cultures within your school or community. Give them to the library, partners and the Chamber of Commerce
• Translate Advocacy pamphlets and flyers into other languages to help community members who do not speak English
• Help teach literacy to younger students in homework help classes

Creative focus

• Write a children’s reading book, then read and give away books to children in hospitals and community partners
• Design and decorate duvets, pillows and blankets, knit hats, gloves for homeless children in the winter
• Create a play for an audience on an issue for advocacy

Sports focus

• Create a tournament for partners, students, community to participate for a cause
• Organize a fun run/walk for cancer
• Seek sponsorship for a cause for a period of time – run, skip, play a sport, swim, etc.

Technology focus

• Create a website for a community partner
• Create PSA blogs on a website for advocacy of a cause
• Utilize social media for various causes, promote UN SDGs, bring awareness to an issue such as pollution, human rights or the extinction of animals

Service-learning projects are not only beneficial for student’s personal growth they help the community by meeting verified needs through various types of action (direct, indirect, advocacy, research). It is so versatile that service learning projects can be implemented across several different subjects and grades.

Students develop passion through being involved in service learning projects that they are interested in. Providing students with agency-voice and choice of what project they would like to be involved with the community generates enthusiasm and engagement.

Insight into your community needs and a spark of creativity is all you need to make a difference.

[1] Jacoby,B, Howard,J. (2015).Service-Learning Essentials: Questions, Answers and Lessons Learned. United States of America, Jossey-Bass. PG81

[2]   The School for Ethical Education. (2017). Project Ideas for Service Learning. Viewed on 24 January 2020. https://www.ethicsed.org/project-ideas-for-service-learning.html

[3] West. D. (2018). 9 Powerful Service-Learning Projects to Inspire Your Students. The Art of Education University. Viewed on 24 January 2020. https://theartofeducation.edu/2017/10/24/october-art-purpose-service-learning-ideas-teach-kids-real-world-learning/

Tara brings passion and a deep understanding of service learning, rooted in years of experience, to her training. Her training builds bridges from theory to implementation while generously sharing her resources and knowledge to ensure our success. Tara works with the whole school (administration, teachers, students, and SL leaders) to build a sustainable program that is embedded in the curriculum and tied to the mission. She energized a faculty on a Friday afternoon, no easy feat, leaving them with a desire to learn more about SL and to become more involved. I cannot recommend Tara highly enough.

Tara Barton

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2. information-data organizing projects, 3. major investigation projects, 4. design projects, 5. problem solving/decision making projects, 6. “argumentation” projects, 7. real world, authentic projects, some final thoughts.

1. Reading/Writing Projects

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Research Topics & Ideas: Education

170+ Research Ideas To Fast-Track Your Project

If you’re just starting out exploring education-related topics for your dissertation, thesis or research project, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll help kickstart your research topic ideation process by providing a hearty list of research topics and ideas , including examples from actual dissertations and theses..

PS – This is just the start…

We know it’s exciting to run through a list of research topics, but please keep in mind that this list is just a starting point . To develop a suitable education-related research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , and a viable plan of action to fill that gap.

If this sounds foreign to you, check out our free research topic webinar that explores how to find and refine a high-quality research topic, from scratch. Alternatively, if you’d like hands-on help, consider our 1-on-1 coaching service .

Overview: Education Research Topics

• How to find a research topic (video)
• List of 50+ education-related research topics/ideas
• List of 120+ level-specific research topics 
• Examples of actual dissertation topics in education
• Tips to fast-track your topic ideation (video)
• Free Webinar : Topic Ideation 101
• Where to get extra help

Education-Related Research Topics & Ideas

Below you’ll find a list of education-related research topics and idea kickstarters. These are fairly broad and flexible to various contexts, so keep in mind that you will need to refine them a little. Nevertheless, they should inspire some ideas for your project.

• The impact of school funding on student achievement
• The effects of social and emotional learning on student well-being
• The effects of parental involvement on student behaviour
• The impact of teacher training on student learning
• The impact of classroom design on student learning
• The impact of poverty on education
• The use of student data to inform instruction
• The role of parental involvement in education
• The effects of mindfulness practices in the classroom
• The use of technology in the classroom
• The role of critical thinking in education
• The use of formative and summative assessments in the classroom
• The use of differentiated instruction in the classroom
• The use of gamification in education
• The effects of teacher burnout on student learning
• The impact of school leadership on student achievement
• The effects of teacher diversity on student outcomes
• The role of teacher collaboration in improving student outcomes
• The implementation of blended and online learning
• The effects of teacher accountability on student achievement
• The effects of standardized testing on student learning
• The effects of classroom management on student behaviour
• The effects of school culture on student achievement
• The use of student-centred learning in the classroom
• The impact of teacher-student relationships on student outcomes
• The achievement gap in minority and low-income students
• The use of culturally responsive teaching in the classroom
• The impact of teacher professional development on student learning
• The use of project-based learning in the classroom
• The effects of teacher expectations on student achievement
• The use of adaptive learning technology in the classroom
• The impact of teacher turnover on student learning
• The effects of teacher recruitment and retention on student learning
• The impact of early childhood education on later academic success
• The impact of parental involvement on student engagement
• The use of positive reinforcement in education
• The impact of school climate on student engagement
• The role of STEM education in preparing students for the workforce
• The effects of school choice on student achievement
• The use of technology in the form of online tutoring

Level-Specific Research Topics

Looking for research topics for a specific level of education? We’ve got you covered. Below you can find research topic ideas for primary, secondary and tertiary-level education contexts. Click the relevant level to view the respective list.

Research Topics: Pick An Education Level

Primary education.

• Investigating the effects of peer tutoring on academic achievement in primary school
• Exploring the benefits of mindfulness practices in primary school classrooms
• Examining the effects of different teaching strategies on primary school students’ problem-solving skills
• The use of storytelling as a teaching strategy in primary school literacy instruction
• The role of cultural diversity in promoting tolerance and understanding in primary schools
• The impact of character education programs on moral development in primary school students
• Investigating the use of technology in enhancing primary school mathematics education
• The impact of inclusive curriculum on promoting equity and diversity in primary schools
• The impact of outdoor education programs on environmental awareness in primary school students
• The influence of school climate on student motivation and engagement in primary schools
• Investigating the effects of early literacy interventions on reading comprehension in primary school students
• The impact of parental involvement in school decision-making processes on student achievement in primary schools
• Exploring the benefits of inclusive education for students with special needs in primary schools
• Investigating the effects of teacher-student feedback on academic motivation in primary schools
• The role of technology in developing digital literacy skills in primary school students
• Effective strategies for fostering a growth mindset in primary school students
• Investigating the role of parental support in reducing academic stress in primary school children
• The role of arts education in fostering creativity and self-expression in primary school students
• Examining the effects of early childhood education programs on primary school readiness
• Examining the effects of homework on primary school students’ academic performance
• The role of formative assessment in improving learning outcomes in primary school classrooms
• The impact of teacher-student relationships on academic outcomes in primary school
• Investigating the effects of classroom environment on student behavior and learning outcomes in primary schools
• Investigating the role of creativity and imagination in primary school curriculum
• The impact of nutrition and healthy eating programs on academic performance in primary schools
• The impact of social-emotional learning programs on primary school students’ well-being and academic performance
• The role of parental involvement in academic achievement of primary school children
• Examining the effects of classroom management strategies on student behavior in primary school
• The role of school leadership in creating a positive school climate Exploring the benefits of bilingual education in primary schools
• The effectiveness of project-based learning in developing critical thinking skills in primary school students
• The role of inquiry-based learning in fostering curiosity and critical thinking in primary school students
• The effects of class size on student engagement and achievement in primary schools
• Investigating the effects of recess and physical activity breaks on attention and learning in primary school
• Exploring the benefits of outdoor play in developing gross motor skills in primary school children
• The effects of educational field trips on knowledge retention in primary school students
• Examining the effects of inclusive classroom practices on students’ attitudes towards diversity in primary schools
• The impact of parental involvement in homework on primary school students’ academic achievement
• Investigating the effectiveness of different assessment methods in primary school classrooms
• The influence of physical activity and exercise on cognitive development in primary school children
• Exploring the benefits of cooperative learning in promoting social skills in primary school students

Secondary Education

• Investigating the effects of school discipline policies on student behavior and academic success in secondary education
• The role of social media in enhancing communication and collaboration among secondary school students
• The impact of school leadership on teacher effectiveness and student outcomes in secondary schools
• Investigating the effects of technology integration on teaching and learning in secondary education
• Exploring the benefits of interdisciplinary instruction in promoting critical thinking skills in secondary schools
• The impact of arts education on creativity and self-expression in secondary school students
• The effectiveness of flipped classrooms in promoting student learning in secondary education
• The role of career guidance programs in preparing secondary school students for future employment
• Investigating the effects of student-centered learning approaches on student autonomy and academic success in secondary schools
• The impact of socio-economic factors on educational attainment in secondary education
• Investigating the impact of project-based learning on student engagement and academic achievement in secondary schools
• Investigating the effects of multicultural education on cultural understanding and tolerance in secondary schools
• The influence of standardized testing on teaching practices and student learning in secondary education
• Investigating the effects of classroom management strategies on student behavior and academic engagement in secondary education
• The influence of teacher professional development on instructional practices and student outcomes in secondary schools
• The role of extracurricular activities in promoting holistic development and well-roundedness in secondary school students
• Investigating the effects of blended learning models on student engagement and achievement in secondary education
• The role of physical education in promoting physical health and well-being among secondary school students
• Investigating the effects of gender on academic achievement and career aspirations in secondary education
• Exploring the benefits of multicultural literature in promoting cultural awareness and empathy among secondary school students
• The impact of school counseling services on student mental health and well-being in secondary schools
• Exploring the benefits of vocational education and training in preparing secondary school students for the workforce
• The role of digital literacy in preparing secondary school students for the digital age
• The influence of parental involvement on academic success and well-being of secondary school students
• The impact of social-emotional learning programs on secondary school students’ well-being and academic success
• The role of character education in fostering ethical and responsible behavior in secondary school students
• Examining the effects of digital citizenship education on responsible and ethical technology use among secondary school students
• The impact of parental involvement in school decision-making processes on student outcomes in secondary schools
• The role of educational technology in promoting personalized learning experiences in secondary schools
• The impact of inclusive education on the social and academic outcomes of students with disabilities in secondary schools
• The influence of parental support on academic motivation and achievement in secondary education
• The role of school climate in promoting positive behavior and well-being among secondary school students
• Examining the effects of peer mentoring programs on academic achievement and social-emotional development in secondary schools
• Examining the effects of teacher-student relationships on student motivation and achievement in secondary schools
• Exploring the benefits of service-learning programs in promoting civic engagement among secondary school students
• The impact of educational policies on educational equity and access in secondary education
• Examining the effects of homework on academic achievement and student well-being in secondary education
• Investigating the effects of different assessment methods on student performance in secondary schools
• Examining the effects of single-sex education on academic performance and gender stereotypes in secondary schools
• The role of mentoring programs in supporting the transition from secondary to post-secondary education

Tertiary Education

• The role of student support services in promoting academic success and well-being in higher education
• The impact of internationalization initiatives on students’ intercultural competence and global perspectives in tertiary education
• Investigating the effects of active learning classrooms and learning spaces on student engagement and learning outcomes in tertiary education
• Exploring the benefits of service-learning experiences in fostering civic engagement and social responsibility in higher education
• The influence of learning communities and collaborative learning environments on student academic and social integration in higher education
• Exploring the benefits of undergraduate research experiences in fostering critical thinking and scientific inquiry skills
• Investigating the effects of academic advising and mentoring on student retention and degree completion in higher education
• The role of student engagement and involvement in co-curricular activities on holistic student development in higher education
• The impact of multicultural education on fostering cultural competence and diversity appreciation in higher education
• The role of internships and work-integrated learning experiences in enhancing students’ employability and career outcomes
• Examining the effects of assessment and feedback practices on student learning and academic achievement in tertiary education
• The influence of faculty professional development on instructional practices and student outcomes in tertiary education
• The influence of faculty-student relationships on student success and well-being in tertiary education
• The impact of college transition programs on students’ academic and social adjustment to higher education
• The impact of online learning platforms on student learning outcomes in higher education
• The impact of financial aid and scholarships on access and persistence in higher education
• The influence of student leadership and involvement in extracurricular activities on personal development and campus engagement
• Exploring the benefits of competency-based education in developing job-specific skills in tertiary students
• Examining the effects of flipped classroom models on student learning and retention in higher education
• Exploring the benefits of online collaboration and virtual team projects in developing teamwork skills in tertiary students
• Investigating the effects of diversity and inclusion initiatives on campus climate and student experiences in tertiary education
• The influence of study abroad programs on intercultural competence and global perspectives of college students
• Investigating the effects of peer mentoring and tutoring programs on student retention and academic performance in tertiary education
• Investigating the effectiveness of active learning strategies in promoting student engagement and achievement in tertiary education
• Investigating the effects of blended learning models and hybrid courses on student learning and satisfaction in higher education
• The role of digital literacy and information literacy skills in supporting student success in the digital age
• Investigating the effects of experiential learning opportunities on career readiness and employability of college students
• The impact of e-portfolios on student reflection, self-assessment, and showcasing of learning in higher education
• The role of technology in enhancing collaborative learning experiences in tertiary classrooms
• The impact of research opportunities on undergraduate student engagement and pursuit of advanced degrees
• Examining the effects of competency-based assessment on measuring student learning and achievement in tertiary education
• Examining the effects of interdisciplinary programs and courses on critical thinking and problem-solving skills in college students
• The role of inclusive education and accessibility in promoting equitable learning experiences for diverse student populations
• The role of career counseling and guidance in supporting students’ career decision-making in tertiary education
• The influence of faculty diversity and representation on student success and inclusive learning environments in higher education

Education-Related Dissertations & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic in education, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses in the education space to see how this all comes together in practice.

Below, we’ve included a selection of education-related research projects to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• From Rural to Urban: Education Conditions of Migrant Children in China (Wang, 2019)
• Energy Renovation While Learning English: A Guidebook for Elementary ESL Teachers (Yang, 2019)
• A Reanalyses of Intercorrelational Matrices of Visual and Verbal Learners’ Abilities, Cognitive Styles, and Learning Preferences (Fox, 2020)
• A study of the elementary math program utilized by a mid-Missouri school district (Barabas, 2020)
• Instructor formative assessment practices in virtual learning environments : a posthumanist sociomaterial perspective (Burcks, 2019)
• Higher education students services: a qualitative study of two mid-size universities’ direct exchange programs (Kinde, 2020)
• Exploring editorial leadership : a qualitative study of scholastic journalism advisers teaching leadership in Missouri secondary schools (Lewis, 2020)
• Selling the virtual university: a multimodal discourse analysis of marketing for online learning (Ludwig, 2020)
• Advocacy and accountability in school counselling: assessing the use of data as related to professional self-efficacy (Matthews, 2020)
• The use of an application screening assessment as a predictor of teaching retention at a midwestern, K-12, public school district (Scarbrough, 2020)
• Core values driving sustained elite performance cultures (Beiner, 2020)
• Educative features of upper elementary Eureka math curriculum (Dwiggins, 2020)
• How female principals nurture adult learning opportunities in successful high schools with challenging student demographics (Woodward, 2020)
• The disproportionality of Black Males in Special Education: A Case Study Analysis of Educator Perceptions in a Southeastern Urban High School (McCrae, 2021)

As you can see, these research topics are a lot more focused than the generic topic ideas we presented earlier. So, in order for you to develop a high-quality research topic, you’ll need to get specific and laser-focused on a specific context with specific variables of interest.  In the video below, we explore some other important things you’ll need to consider when crafting your research topic.

Get 1-On-1 Help

If you’re still unsure about how to find a quality research topic within education, check out our Research Topic Kickstarter service, which is the perfect starting point for developing a unique, well-justified research topic.

70 Comments

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Research title related to school of students

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Research title related to students

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Write on action research topic, using guidance and counseling to address unwanted teenage pregnancy in school

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parental involvement and students academic performance

Science education topics?

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How about School management and supervision pls.?

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Kindly help me with the research questions on the topic” Effects of workplace conflict on the employees’ job performance”. The effects can be applicable in every institution,enterprise or organisation.

Greetings, I am a student majoring in Sociology and minoring in Public Administration. I’m considering any recommended research topic in the field of Sociology.

I’m a student pursuing Mphil in Basic education and I’m considering any recommended research proposal topic in my field of study

Research Defense for students in senior high

Kindly help me with a research topic in educational psychology. Ph.D level. Thank you.

Project-based learning is a teaching/learning type,if well applied in a classroom setting will yield serious positive impact. What can a teacher do to implement this in a disadvantaged zone like “North West Region of Cameroon ( hinterland) where war has brought about prolonged and untold sufferings on the indegins?

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I wish to get help on topics of research on educational administration PhD level

I am also looking for such type of title

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request suggestion on topic in masters in medical education .

Look at British Library as they keep a copy of all PhDs in the UK Core.ac.uk to access Open University and 6 other university e-archives, pdf downloads mostly available, all free.

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Please I am a masters student of the department of Teacher Education, Faculty of Education Please I am in need of proposed project topics to help with my final year thesis

Am a PhD student in Educational Foundations would like a sociological topic. Thank

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Greetings and Regards I am a doctoral student in the field of philosophy of education. I am looking for a new topic for my thesis. Because of my work in the elementary school, I am looking for a topic that is from the field of elementary education and is related to the philosophy of education.

Masters student in the field of curriculum, any ideas of a research topic on low achiever students

In the field of curriculum any ideas of a research topic on deconalization in contextualization of digital teaching and learning through in higher education

Amazing guidelines

I am a graduate with two masters. 1) Master of arts in religious studies and 2) Master in education in foundations of education. I intend to do a Ph.D. on my second master’s, however, I need to bring both masters together through my Ph.D. research. can I do something like, ” The contribution of Philosophy of education for a quality religion education in Kenya”? kindly, assist and be free to suggest a similar topic that will bring together the two masters. thanks in advance

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I’m a student in upper level secondary school and I need your support in this research topics: “Impact of incorporating project -based learning in teaching English language skills in secondary schools”.

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Your style is unique in comparison to other folks I’ve read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this site.

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Education Project Proposal

Proposal maker.

Whenever you desire to see something to happen what do you do? Of course! You make an excellent proposal to encourage people to see the need from your standpoint and help you achieve your goals. However, if you find yourself inadequate to create an exceptional and excellent Education Project Proposal , you don’t have to worry because we got you covered. We provided you with an excellent collection of Project Proposal Samples that you can pull up whenever you need one. Nonetheless, that’s not the end. We also created a concise guide so you can create one without breaking a sweat. Go on take a scroll below and see it for yourself.

10+ Education Project Proposal Examples

1. university project proposal template.

• Google Docs

Size: A4, US

2. School Project Proposal Template

3. College Project Proposal Template

4. Free Sample School Project Proposal Template

5. Child-Friendly Education Proposal

Size: 34 KB

6. Project Proposal for Girl Child Education

Size: 827 KB

7. Education Project Proposal Example

Size: 214 KB

8. Project Proposal for Poor Child Education

Size: 51 KB

9. Project Proposal Educational Support to Poverty

Size: 60 KB

10. Recycling Education Project Proposal

Size: 106 KB

11. Education Project Proposal in PDF

Size: 130 KB

What is an Education Project Proposal?

An Education Project Proposal is a document that anyone can use within the education industry. This type of proposal is something students , teachers , and other staff can use to showcase their ideas to the school board or to the PTA.

What are the characteristics of a project life cycle?

A project life cycle is a process in which people from an organization or a project management team go through to finish a project successfully. In this way, people can gauge if what they are doing is advantageous to the overall project or not, and how it affects the company in the long run. 

The Initiation stage of the project is the conception part of it. It is the part where people create the ideas and concepts of the whole project. Determining the purpose and desired outcome of the project is within this stage.

The Planning stage is all about determining the details and processes to ensure that the project will hit the desired outcome. It is also in this phase that the proposal submission should be done.

The execution stage is usually the longest stage. The whole duration of this stage is not something the other stages can eclipse. However, this is the most hectic and time-consuming of them all. This is also the stage where all the plans are executed and come to life.

At this stage of the project, the whole execution is done and people are ready to close the project. Maybe some projects opt to become a program like the Indian Poshan Project that pushed for health and nutrition or ultimately ending the project in view of another. Nonetheless, this should never be done quickly but instead by a proper and deliberate process.

How to Create an Education Project Proposal

Education is one of the most favorable works that the older generation can do for its successor. Without a proper and genuine early childhood education , even our civilizations can be endangered. That’s why to help you make the most of their education we provided steps below for you to create an excellent project proposal.

Step 1: Determine the Readers

Your first step in creating your education project proposal should be on determining the reader of the said proposal. In this way, you can be sure that what you’re writing is tailor-made to the specific person and will see its fruits. So make sure to write something that your readers would appreciate.

Step 2: Define Project Summary

After having a definite audience you should also make sure that what you’re writing should include all the details of the project. However, since it is a proposal you may only opt to provide a summary of the project plan itself.

Step 3: Establish a Work Plan

The actions your team will do has a cause and effect, in this way, you can also see that it has further effects in the long run that might affect the readers. So make sure that you determine these within your work plan. If you’re planning to tackle school health in a certain primary school make sure that you detail it.

Step 4: Tackle the Budget and Schedule

Lastly, ensure that your proposal has a budget and schedule document or section. If you check the internet for some proposal templates you may also see these embedded usually in the later pages of the document. However, this is important and you should make sure that you write these well.

What details should I put in the project proposal?

The main details that a project proposal should have are the vision and goals, key deliverables, schedule, and ownership. Other resources and details that can also be included are the success criteria, key issues and risks, and reporting.

What is the proposal format?

The major format of creating a proposal includes: 1. Introduction 2. Issue 3. Solution 4. Qualification 5. Conclusion

What are the five elements of a concept paper?

The five elements of a concept paper are: 1. Vision 2. Scope of Work 3. Goals 4. Schedule/Timetable 5. Milestones/Criteria

With the rise of the internet and the promulgation of its uses, comes the rise of higher education. The concepts that once thought impossible are now right around the corner. However, it is still necessary to put forth ideas and concepts to the test. Use PDF, Word, or other formats as you see fit, but make sure that you are creating proposals to make the world a better place.

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Generate a proposal for a new school recycling program

Compose a proposal for a school field trip to a science museum.

Project 2025 and education: A lot of bad ideas, some more actionable than others

Subscribe to the brown center on education policy newsletter, rachel m. perera , rachel m. perera fellow - governance studies , brown center on education policy jon valant , and jon valant director - brown center on education policy , senior fellow - governance studies katharine meyer katharine meyer fellow - governance studies , brown center on education policy.

August 12, 2024

• Project 2025 is rife with bad ideas that, if enacted, would inflict harm on students and schools across the country.
• Many proposals would require an unlikely degree of cooperation from Congress, though others could be enacted unilaterally by a second Trump administration.
• Parts of Project 2025 are more closely aligned with a white Christian nationalist worldview than a traditional, conservative education policy agenda.

Project 2025 outlines a radical policy agenda that would dramatically reshape the federal government. The report was spearheaded by the right-wing Heritage Foundation and represents the policy aims of a large coalition of conservative activists. While former President Trump has attempted to distance himself from Project 2025, many of the report’s authors worked in the previous Trump administration and could return for a second round. Trump, himself, said in 2022 , “This is a great group, and they’re going to lay the groundwork and detail plans for exactly what our movement will do.”

In other words, Project 2025 warrants a close look, even if the Trump campaign would like Americans to avert their gaze.

Project 2025’s education agenda proposes a drastic overhaul of federal education policy, from early childhood through higher education. Here’s just a sample of the Project 2025 education-related recommendations:

• Dismantle the U.S. Department of Education (ED)
• Eliminate the Head Start program for young children in poverty
• Discontinue the Title I program that provides federal funding to schools serving low-income children
• Rescind federal civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ students
• Undercut federal capacity to enforce civil rights law
• Reduce federal funding for students with disabilities and remove guardrails designed to ensure these children are adequately served by schools
• Promote universal private school choice
• Privatize the federal student loan portfolio

It’s an outrageous list, and that’s just the start of it.

We’ve reviewed the Project 2025 chapter on education (Chapter 11), along with other chapters with implications for students. We’ve come away with four main observations:

1. Most of the major policy proposals in Project 2025 would require an unlikely amount of congressional cooperation

Project 2025 is presented as a to-do list for an incoming Trump administration. However, most of its big-ticket education items would require a great deal of cooperation from Congress.

Proposals to create controversial, new laws or programs would require majority support in the House and, very likely, a filibuster-proof, 60-vote majority in the Senate. Ideas like a Parents’ Bill of Rights, the Department of Education Reorganization Act, and a federal tax-credit scholarship program fall into this category. Even if Republicans outperform expectations in this fall’s Senate races , they’d have to attract several Democratic votes to get to 60. That’s not happening for these types of proposals.  

The same goes for major changes to existing legislation. This includes, for example, a proposal to convert funding associated with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to no-strings-attached block grants and education savings accounts (with, presumably, much less accountability for spending those funds appropriately). It also includes a proposal to end the “ negotiated rulemaking ” (“neg-reg”) process that ED follows when developing regulations related to programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA). The neg-reg requirement is written into HEA itself, which means that unwinding neg-reg would require Congress to amend the HEA. That’s unlikely given that HEA reauthorization is already more than a decade overdue—and that’s without the political baggage of Project 2025 weighing down the process.

The prospect of changing funding levels for existing programs is a little more complicated. Programs like Title I are permanently authorized. Eliminating Title I or changing the formulas it uses to allocate funds to local educational agencies would require new and unlikely legislation. Year-to-year funding levels can and do change , but the vast majority of ED’s budget consists of discretionary funding that’s provided through the regular, annual appropriations process and subject to a filibuster. This limits the ability of one party to make major, unilateral changes. (ED’s mandatory funding is more vulnerable.)

In sum, one limiting factor on what an incoming Trump administration could realistically enact from Project 2025 is that many of these proposals are too unpopular with Democrats to overcome their legislative hurdles.

2. Some Project 2025 proposals would disproportionately harm conservative, rural areas and likely encounter Republican opposition

Another limiting factor is that some of Project 2025’s most substantive proposals probably wouldn’t be all that popular with Republicans either.

Let’s take, for example, the proposed sunsetting of the Title I program. Project 2025 proposes to phase out federal spending on Title I over a 10-year period, with states left to decide whether and how to continue that funding. It justifies this with misleading suggestions that persistent test score gaps between wealthy and poor students indicate that investments like Title I funding aren’t paying off. (In fact, evidence from school finance reforms suggests real benefits from education spending, especially for students from low-income families.)

The phrase “Title I schools” might conjure up images of under-resourced schools in urban areas that predominantly serve students of color, and it’s true that these schools are major beneficiaries of Title I. However, many types of schools, across many types of communities, receive critical support through Title I. In fact, schools in Republican-leaning areas could be hit the hardest by major cuts or changes to Title I. In the map below, we show the share of total per-pupil funding coming from Title I by state. Note that many of the states that rely the most on Title I funds (darkest blue) are politically conservative.

Of course, the impact of shifting from federal to state control of Title I would depend on how states choose to handle their newfound decision-making power. Given that several red states are among the lowest spenders on education —and have skimped on programs like Summer EBT and Medicaid expansion —it’s hard to believe that low-income students in red states would benefit from a shift to state control.

What does that mean for the type of support that Project 2025 proposals might get from red-state Republicans in Congress? It’s hard to know. It’s worth keeping in mind, though, that the GOP’s push for universal private school voucher programs has encountered some of its fiercest resistance from rural Republicans across several states .

3. Project 2025 also has significant proposals that a second Trump administration could enact unilaterally

While a second Trump administration couldn’t enact everything outlined in Project 2025 even if it wanted to, several consequential proposals wouldn’t require cooperation from Congress. This includes some actions that ED took during the first Trump administration and certainly could take again.

Here are a few of the Project 2025 proposals that the Trump administration could enact with the authority of the executive branch alone:

• Roll back civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ students
• Roll back Title IX protections against sex-based discrimination
• Dismantle the federal civil rights enforcement apparatus
• Eliminate current income-driven repayment plans and require higher monthly payments for low-income borrowers
• Remove protections from predatory colleges that leave students with excessive debt

Federal education policy has suffered from regulatory whiplash over the last decade, with presidential administrations launching counter-regulations to undo the executive actions of the prior administration. Take, for example, “gainful employment” regulations that Democratic administrations have used to limit eligibility for federal financial aid for colleges that leave students with excessive loan debt. A second Trump administration would likely seek to reverse the Biden administration’s “gainful employment” regulations like the first Trump administration did to the Obama administration’s rules . (Then again, with the Supreme Court striking down Chevron , which provided deference to agency expertise in setting regulations, the Trump administration might not even need to formally undo regulations.)

Other Project 2025 proposals, not explicitly about education, also could wreak havoc. This includes a major overhaul of the federal civil service. Specifically, Project 2025 seeks to reinstate Schedule F, an executive order that Trump signed during his final weeks in office. Schedule F would reclassify thousands of civil service positions in the federal government to policy roles—a shift that would empower the president to fire civil servants and fill their positions with political appointees. Much has been written about the consequences of decimating the civil service, and the U.S. Department of Education, along with other federal agencies that serve students, would feel its effects.

4. Project 2025 reflects a white Christian nationalist agenda as much as it reflects a traditional conservative education policy agenda

If one were to read Project 2025’s appeals to principles such as local control and parental choice, they might think this is a standard conservative agenda for education policy. Republicans, after all, have been calling for the dismantling of ED since the Reagan administration, and every administration since has supported some types of school choice reforms.

But in many ways, Project 2025’s proposals really don’t look conservative at all. For example, a large-scale, tax-credit scholarship program would substantially increase the federal government’s role in K-12 education. A Parents’ Bill of Rights would require the construction of a massive federal oversight and enforcement function that does not currently exist. And a proposal that “states should require schools to post classroom materials online to provide maximum transparency to parents” would impose an enormous compliance burden on schools, districts, and teachers.

Much of Project 2025 is more easily interpretable through the lens of white Christian nationalism than traditional political conservatism. Scholars Philip Gorski and Samuel Perry describe white Christian nationalism as being “about ethno-traditionalism and protecting the freedoms of a very narrowly defined ‘us’.” The Project 2025 chapter on education is loaded with proposals fitting this description. That includes a stunning number of proposals focused on gender identity, with transgender students as a frequent target. Project 2025 seeks to secure rights for certain people (e.g., parents who support a particular vision of parental rights) while removing protections for many others (e.g., LGBTQ+ and racially minoritized children). Case in point, its proposal for “Safeguarding civil rights” says only, “Enforcement of civil rights should be based on a proper understanding of those laws, rejecting gender ideology and critical race theory.”

These types of proposals don’t come from the traditional conservative playbook for education policy reform. They come from a white Christian nationalist playbook that has gained prominence in far-right politics in recent years.

At this point, it’s clear that the Trump campaign sees Project 2025 as a political liability that requires distance through the election season. Let’s not confuse that with what might happen during a second Trump administration.

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Actuality: Example of Risk Management Education Partnership Project

Date :  Thu, 08/22/2024    Broadcast: 05

Remark :  Mary Conklin of the University of Connecticut discusses a recently awarded Risk Management Education Partnership Project to explain the types of efforts receiving funding.

Duration :  00:00:31.164

Author :  RBAIN

MP3 :  Your browser does not support the audio element. AOC5DE005D6SLY3_040F3B43D6934CFC876CF110947E38BB.mp3