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
Earth Sciences
Life Sciences
Space Sciences
Chemistry
Engineering & Architecture
Physics
Physical Science
Technology
Other Searchable Databases of PBL Cases
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...