Over the past 6 weeks, students in Ms. Lane’s 7th and 8th-grade math classes collaborated on a project-based learning opportunity. This a collaborative project with the Pittsburgh Zoo, the Unproject, and her students to uncover the link between Palm Tree Oil, deforestation, and the local effects on us and orangutans.
Highlights from the Project Based Learning opportunity include:
– Research and work surrounding an essential question took place weekly for 6 weeks
– Students applied foundational middle school math and ELA skills: data, observations, interviews, written and oral presentation
– Centered around real-world application
– Co-teaching and Co-planning occurred between the classroom teacher and Integration specialist
– Students interviewed and met with the mammal caretaker at the Pittsburgh Zoo
– Students connected virtually with an orangutan rehabilitation center in the Borneo Jungle
– Included regular use of iPads, Google Chromebooks, Google Classroom, ClassVR virtual reality
– Final presentations included a Call for Action to raise community awareness of the Palm Oil Crisis and how local efforts can impact global change
This project was Propel’s first Project Based Learning opportunity for 2017-2018 school year that utilizes the PBL approach recommended by the Bucks Institute for Education and the LUMA Problem Based Learning model; two leaders in the educational field surrounding PBL.
Thank you Ms.Lane for your leadership over your students’ learning the past 6 weeks. Mr. Keebler also deserves a shout out as well for helping with Film Production of the work, as well as support with VILS iPad usage.
