Project-Based Learning Resources

Project-based learning is a teaching and learning strategy that engages students in complex activities. It usually requires several steps and some duration-more than a couple of class days and up to a semester-and cooperative group learning. Projects may focus on the development of a product or performance, and they generally call upon students to organize their activities, conduct research, solve problems, and synthesize information. Projects are often interdisciplinary. For example, a project in which students draft plans for and build a structure, investigate its environmental impact, document the building process, and develop spreadsheets for the associated accounting would involve the use of skills and concepts drawn from courses in English, mathematics, building trades, drafting and/or design, and biology.

Although projects as a methodology are not a new concept; it is an approach that supports the many tasks facing teachers today such as meeting state standards, incorporating authentic assessment, infusing higher-order thinking skills, guiding students in life choices, and providing experiences that tap individual student interests and abilities. Furthermore, the student products created during projects provide the means by which teachers can include authentic assessment in their instruction.

The STEM Transitions curriculum development initiative led by CORD, has developed 63 integrated curriculum projects for use in math, science, and technical courses at the community college level to engage students in six Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics related career clusters. The materials are available for classroom implementation at the project website. For more information, please visit the STEM Transitions project page.