Implementing Active Learning in STEM Teaching
May 6, 2024
Implementing the Engineering Design Process
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KEY POINTS
- Develop a question or problem to serve as the focus of your project
- Narrow the scope of the project
- Seek feedback and improve your project
Project-based learning is all about cultivating valuable learning experiences in a project-oriented environment where creativity and innovation take center stage. This makes project-based learning an integral component of the modern STEM classroom.
LOOK AROUND FOR SIMILAR PROJECTS
A great way to get started is by seeing what other projects have been done before. Conduct some research online to see what kinds of projects other classrooms have engaged in. From there, select a project that interests you and your students and, if needed, adapt it to work in your classroom. You might choose to change some of the criteria or constraints of the project and broaden or narrow the scope of the project. Regardless of your final selection, ensure there is flexibility for student innovation and creativity within the project. These skills play an important role in the STEM learning process, and utilizing previously-done projects will eliminate the sometimes-daunting task of starting from scratch.
GIVE THE PROJECT A NARROW FOCUS
While projects do offer students the opportunity to be creative, the burden is on the teacher to get students moving in the right direction. It is important to provide a framework for each project, and the easiest way to do this is to focus on a particular question or problem. Find topics of interest and allow that to guide your selection. From there, narrow the scope of the project by determining a reasonable timeframe. While extended projects may offer students an opportunity to learn more, it is important that students remain interested throughout. Typically, a few weeks is a very workable timeframe, providing students with plenty of learning opportunities while still keeping their attention.
GET FEEDBACK AND TEST IT OUT
Nothing comes with the guarantee of success, and of course, perfecting any teaching method takes time. Once your project has been formulated, seek advice from other educators about its implementation. After you have added any finishing touches, assign the project to your class. Once it has been completed, assess its effectiveness. Ask students what they liked and what they might want to adjust in the future. After a few semesters, the project should be moving along smoothly, and you will have successfully incorporated project-based STEM learning into your classroom.
