In this episode of the PBL Simplified for Teachers podcast, host Ryan Steuer talks with two passionate educators, Joanna Clark and Angela Stein, who are jumping into Project Based Learning for the first time and absolutely loving it.
Joanna, a 7th-grade science teacher with a PhD in chemistry, and Angela, an 8th-grade math and algebra teacher with a background in construction management, bring a wealth of experience and fresh perspective to their new PBL journey. They share how their first and second PBL units brought engagement, creativity, and empowerment to their middle schoolers—yes, even the ones who usually “don’t care”.
Takeaways:
Why middle school is a pivotal time for launching PBL
Two engaging PBL units: designing bath bombs and redesigning learning spaces
How real-world partnerships and student voice elevated the learning
Honest reflections from teachers just starting out with PBL
Student stories that prove PBL brings hidden talents to the surface
Why it’s way more fun to grade PBL projects than quizzes!
Whether you’re new to PBL or looking for ideas to refresh your classroom, this episode will leave you encouraged, energized, and maybe even smiling like our guests.
Resources and links:
