Every trimester, students in grades K-2, 3-5 and 6-8 are led by teachers and integration specialists in the completion of projects reflective of 21st Century Skills and focus on the LUMA Human Centered Design model for techniques in problem solving.

Project Based Learning are standards-based and occur during teaching and learning to extend lessons. Students build a personal connection with the lesson through these projects, ultimately deepening their understanding of the content. Participation with one of over 40 Propel Partnerships may be embedded within this projects, offering students with a even deeper personal connection to the topics being investigated.

Examples of project based learning can be found across all of our grades -- second grade students creating digital storyboards to practice narrative writing, middle school students exploring local non-profits and designing one of their own to better serve the Pittsburgh community after a novel study in ELA, or high schools music students investigating music from around the world to collaborate on a production. 

Third grade students at Propel Northside extended their third trimester focus of plants to birds. They studied how birds affect plant growth by eating the seeds and spreading them again in their waste. Students visited the Audobon Society where they learned about seed balls and different types of seeds.  They studied local birds of Pittsburgh and spent two weeks tracking and collecting data on the types of birds that visited the outdoor garden bird feeders that the kids made and hung at Propel Northside. The students even used Scratch, a coding program, to make birds in a maker center activity.

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Our Studio 4C classrooms, open at Propel Braddock Hills and Montour Middle Schools, blend creativity, collaboration, communication and critical thinking into weekly skill-based projects. Projects will stem from Educurious and include 21st century skills focused on technology and art integration. From creating graphic novels to launching social awareness campaigns, students work together in all core content areas while using onsite, cutting-edge technology from the Carnegie Science Center's FabLab including laser cutters, 3D printers, drawing iPads and personal computers.

Check out what is going on in Propel Montour's 4C Classroom anytime by clicking here!

Integration teachers work hands-on with students and educators in grades K-4 at BHES, MES and Propel Homestead. These teachers collaborate with the student's classroom teacher to bring weekly, through co-taught, skill-based lessons to the classroom. Students dive into projects in all content areas. They use the LUMA Human Centered Design techniques and methods for problem solving, "How Can I/We Build Create Something for a Public Purpose?" to help them fully understand how to create and solve real-world problems.

Verizon, through a partnership with Digital Promise, has equipped every child and teacher at BHMS and Propel Northside's middle school with a tablet and two-year data plan. Through this partnership, our students have the opportunity to learn through technology that they may otherwise never have the opportunity to use. You can learn more here!

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