Richard White, an award-winning high school science teacher, joins the PBL Simplified podcast to share his experience using project-based learning (PBL) in his classroom. Richard has been teaching science for 17 years and has found that PBL is an effective way to engage students, especially those from low socioeconomic backgrounds. Richard has seen his students’ ACT scores increase since he began using PBL.
One notable PBL project involved Richard’s engineering students designing and building a rotating stage for the school’s theater department. This project was featured in the news and provided students with real-world experience in engineering and design. Students had to overcome challenges, including weight distribution and friction, to create a functional stage. Students were rewarded with free tickets to the play and the satisfaction of seeing their work used in a real-world setting.
Richard also shared a story about a struggling student who excelled in a PBL project about repurposing single-use plastics. Richard believes that PBL is an effective way to engage all students, regardless of their academic ability or future plans. Richard encourages teachers who are considering using PBL to jump in and give it a try. He emphasizes that PBL does not hinder standardized test scores and can actually lead to increased engagement and learning. Richard’s advice to students is to “dream big and work hard” and to be purposeful in their education and career choices.
RESOURCES & LINKS RELATED TO THIS EPISODE
News article: https://www.ozarksfirst.com/top-stories/reeds-spring-high-school-students-engineer-rotating-stage/
Richard’s social media handles: @rbwhitey
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