PBL projects focus on student learning goals and include Essential Project Design Elements:
· Key Knowledge, Understanding, and Success Skills - The project is focused on student learning goals, including standards-based content and skills such as critical thinking/problem solving, communication, collaboration, and self-management.
· Challenging Problem or Question - The project is framed by a meaningful problem to solve or a question to answer, at the appropriate level of challenge.
· Sustained Inquiry - Students engage in a rigorous, extended process of asking questions, finding resources, and applying information.
· Authenticity - The project features real-world context, tasks and tools, quality standards, or impact – or speaks to students’ personal concerns, interests, and issues in their lives.
· Student Voice & Choice - Students make some decisions about the project, including how they work and what they create.
· Reflection - Students and teachers reflect on learning, the effectiveness of their inquiry and project activities, the quality of student work, obstacles and how to overcome them.
· Critique & Revision - Students give, receive, and use feedback to improve their process and products.
· Public Product - Students make their project work public by explaining, displaying and/or presenting it to people beyond the classroom.