Getting Started: Finding a Central Problem
Around Which To Construct a New Project

Generally speaking, when we give students a problem, they solve the problem and they're done. However, give them a project, and they begin to work like a team of scientists, writers, investigators, dreamers, inventors, engineers, and captains of their own education. I have listed here a great number of resources to search for problems/cases. It has been my experience that using these as the centerpieces to build more extensive, collaborative, real world, "in the news" projects is what makes classroom learning come alive!
                                                                                                                                                         

General

• ** CASES Online – Scientific Method – 4 projects – grades 6-12
• Intel PBL – All sciences – 45 projects – grades 3-12
• iEARN – Science projects – mostly environmental – 11 projects – grades K-12
• ** PBL Online – Science projects – 27 projects – K-12
• ** Take Action Curriculum – Take Action Science Projects – grades 6-12
• Teach 21 – All sciences by grade level – 32 projects – grades K-12

Earth Sciences

• CIESE – Environmental projects – water, soil, sun – 6 projects – grades 1-12
• ** CASES Online – Earth Science – 24 projects – grades 6-12
• ** CASES Online – Environmental Science – 10 projects – grades 9-12
• ** ePals – Collaboration with other Schools – 5 projects – grades 1-8
• JASON Project – Earth and Environment - 4 projects – grades 6-8
• My Science Box – Ecology Box – ecosystems, habitat, water & soil – grades 3-12
• My Science Box – Geology Box – 19 projects – grades 3-12
• My Science Box – Watersheds Box – watersheds, wetlands, bay – grades 3-12
• My Science Box – Plate Tectonics Box – grades K-12
• ** PBL Online – Down the Drain – water cycle, environment – grades 9-12
• ** PBL Online – Am I Too Hot for You? – climate change debate – grades 9-12

Life Sciences

• CIESE – Human Genetics – on-line collaboration  until June 2011 – grades 6-12
• ** CASES Online – Anatomy/Physiology – 14 projects – grades 9-12
• ** CASES Online – Biology – 51 projects – grades 9-12
• ** CASES Online – Health Science – 11 projects – grades 6-12
• ** CASES Online – Life Science – 19 projects – grades 6-12
• ** CASES Online – Microbiology – 3 projects – grades 9-12
• High Tech High – San Diego Bay Field Guide – better stewards of bay – grade 11
• My Science Box – Genetics & Evolution Box –  grades K-12
• My Science Box – Physiology Box – biology, plants, animals – grades K-12
• ** PBL Online – Hard Body, Perfect Brain – physiology, drugs – grades 9-12
• Project Approach – Project Examples – bugs, animals, health – preK-K
• Project Approach – Project  Examples – trees, health – grades 1-4
• Salvadori Center – Your Body, A Building – grades 1-5
• What's Up with the Bees?
  
• Save the Honeybees!
  

Space Sciences

• NASA – Outreach Projects – 11 projects – grades 3-12
• ** PBL Online – One World, One Home – solar system, Earth – grades 9-12

Chemistry

• ** CASES Online – Chemistry – 42 projects – grades 6-12
• High Tech High – Drug Movie – impact of drugs on people & society – grade 10
• Teach 21 – Chemistry Projects – 2 projects – grades 9-12

Engineering & Architecture

• CIESE – Engineering projects – some have real-time collaboration & start in Feb – 16 projects – grades preK-12
• F.L. Wright Preservation Trust – Architect Studio 3D – grades 7-12
• High Tech High – This New House - design environmentally friendly home – grades 9-12
• High Tech High – Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? – construct an electrical product – grade 9
• Salvadori Center – Science Curriculum – building systems – grades K-5
• EIE – Engineering is Elementary – problem solving using science & math – grades 1-5

Physics

• ** CASES Online – Physics – 40 projects – grades 9-12
• Teach 21 – Physics Projects – 3 projects – grades 9-12
• APlusPhysics – Physics Projects – 6 projects – grades 9-12

Physical Science

• ** CASES Online – Physical Science – 21 projects – grades 6-12
• HOO – Hands-on Optics – lasers, light, magnification – grade 1-8
• Project 21 – Physical Science – 5 projects – grades 6-12

Technology

• ** CASES Online – Science, Technology & Society - 1 project – grades 9-12
• High Tech High – Today’s Machines – ancient technologies – grades 9-12
• Indiana U. – Molecules Matter – applied nanoscience – grades 9-12

Other Searchable Databases of PBL Cases

• National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science 
  science, engineering, medicine, dentistry, sociology, public policy / international affairs, business 
  State University of New York at Buffalo
• Investigative Cases 
  BioQUEST Curriculum Consortium
  
• Problem-Based Learning Clearinghouse 
  requires free registration 
  University of Delaware
• Science Case Network 
  SCN supports science educators, learners, researchers, developers and professional organizations, furthering access and development of the use of cases and PBL in science education.
  
• PBL Across the Curriculum links 
  links to cases in history, social sciences, humanities, english/language arts, mathematics, and business
  Emory College Center for Science Education, Emory University
• Other PBL Institutions 
  undergraduate, medical school, K-12, mailing lists, international PBL networks, miscellaneous 
  University of Delaware
  
• ScienceNET Problem-Based Learning Links 
  links for undergraduate education 
  ScienceNET, Emory College Center for Science Education, Emory University
• The Buck Institute for Education's Project-Based Learning Site
• West Virginia Department of Education 21st Century Project-Based Learning
  
• Global SchoolNet (Internet project registry)
  
• ePals Projects for Global Communication
  
• Challenge Based Learning (Apple)
  
• iEarn Collaboration Center
  
• Global Virtual Schoolhouse: Clubhouse
  
• PBLE App for iPad ($1.99)
  
• Teacher's Guide to PBL
  
• Create Your Own!  Watch the News or NewsFeeds for Issues Like These...