Project Planning with Youth
Engineering a Solution
Solutions come in all sizes and shapes - each uniquely suited to a particular community, group of students, and community partners. Solutions are one step forward in address an issue but it is not likely to completely fix the problem. PBSE is one way for your students to see how collectively they have the power to change their world one action at a time.
Remember: while your PBSE project might not be focused in science, the process of engaging youth in brainstorming and evaluating potential solutions is a key component of Engineering Design (NGSS).
We use the term “engineering” in a very broad sense to mean any engagement in a systematic practice of design to achieve solutions to particular human problems. (NRC 2012, p. 11-12)
#1 Research and Brainstorm Solutions
The issue you identified should be broad and have room for multiple solutions.
Issue: Invasive frog bit needs to be pulled from your local watershed (this issue is too narrow, but this action item could be incorporated into your solution)
Issue: Plastic pollution is showing up on local beaches (this issue is broad and several action items can be identified)
Give students time to research potential solutions with a reminder to evaluate the source of the information and to cite their sources. Wikipedia is a compilation of information that can be a useful starting point but not an ending point and a reminder for them that....
Not everything you read on internet is real.
As a class, develop a list of possible solutions for the issue you identified.
All ideas are good ideas!
#2 Evaluate Solution Feasability
<< Setting S.M.A.R.T. goals will ensure that all possible solutions take into account the budget, timeline, community and partner considerations.
Using the above criteria and a tool like the Stoplight Evaluation Tool , determine which solutions get the "green light" for further consideration.
COMMUNITY PARTNER CONNECTION: Allow community partners the opportunity to share their priorities, funding potential, and other information they have that might impact the projects. You will want a solution that meet both your needs and the needs of the community.
#3 Choose Your Solution(s)
Allowing your students to determine the democratic process (anonymous vote, debating, etc.) by which they will select their solution(s) gives them agency and ownership of the project. If voting, consider including your community partners in the process.
<<A SWOT analysis is another great tool for students to use to determine if their solutions are strong and relevant.
Each solution may include multiple action items. If the issue is plastic pollution showing up on local beaches, as part of the solution some actions items could include:
Removing any litter by hand
Collecting data about which types of litter are the most prevalent
Producing outreach materials that target individuals' plastic consumption
Reaching out to local restaurants to advocate for less single-use plastic items
Doing a waste audit at school to determine how much waste is being generated in the classroom or through school lunches
Below are four aspects of project planning that we ask you to consider in your project planning form. Each aspect holds the opportunity to be student-created and student-led.
COMMUNITY PARTNER CONNECTION: NEMIGLSI partners are available to help facilitate brainstorming and project planning with students
Planning a Budget
Planning and sticking to a budget is an essential skill and what better way to practice than through PBSE!
Budget considerations: Can project partners contribute any supplies or equipment? What are the project priorities? Are there any maintenance costs once the project is complete?
RESOURCE: The Watershed Game is a great tool for practicing budget/prioritization skills.
RESOURCE: Google Sheets and its formula capabilities lends itself well as a budget tooling. How to use Google Sheets to make a budget.
RESOURCE: Consider modifying the budget tab from your project planning form to create a template for students to fill in. NEMIGLSI can help with this!
PBSE IN ACTION: Student-generated timeline for rain garden project at Au Gres - Sims High School
Creating a Timeline
By creating a timeline with tasks and deadlines, students will feel a sense of ownership of their project.
For each action item on the timeline students need to consider: WHEN it is happening, HOW it is happening and WHO is responsible.
Do any actions need to happen sequentially? Is it realistic? Is it for one school year or does it go beyond that?
RESOURCE: Mindomo is a great mindmapping tool to generate action items and organize or group tasks.
RESOURCE: Consider modifying the timeline from your project planning form to create a template for students to fill in. NEMIGLSI can help with this!
Communication Plan
How do you plan to share your project findings? Google Site, video, pamphlet, presentation, newsletter, social media account (Facebook, Tiktok, etc.)
Who is your target audience? Community leaders/decision makers, fellow students, parents, etc.
What kinds of communication products would benefit your partners and how can partners provide support?
PBSE IN ACTION: Explore the student-created Au Gres Sims Rain Garden Google Site
RESOURCE: COMPASS and the Message Box Workbook are helpful tools for effective science communication. Students can use the workbook to further explore their PBSE effort. Learn more here!
RESOURCE: Canva for Education is a FREE tool students can use to take the lead on designing communication products related to their PBSE effort (while also connecting to ELA standards).
Check out this flyer made by Au Gres-Sims School District students to promote an upcoming community visioning meeting they hosted. Partners picked the final design after students selected the top 3 flyers.
Planning Your Project's Legacy
Have students consider the impact their project will have on their community and classes that come after them.
Legacy considerations: Is there a "final chapter" to your project or is it something your students can expand over the years?
Does your project have any maintenance or annual costs? Consider consulting with community partners or your school maintenance workers about sharing responsibilities.
Could monitoring be incorporated into this project for students to share and maintain data from year to year?
Are there communication products that can have a lasting impact after your project is complete?
Pro tip: Help students develop the plan that YOU want to maintain
Chicken or Egg?
So wait, which one of these planning components comes first? Do we create our budget, then our timeline? Or communication plan, then budget?
Answer: however best works for your class and project.
Consider dividing students into groups to manage each of the planning components. Communication among groups is KEY.
Celebrating & Reflecting on Your Stewardship Efforts
You and your students put in time and effort toward protecting the Great Lakes and natural resources, now it's time to share your success and reflect on your journey.
We encourage you to include time for your students to reflect on what they did, who/what it will impact and how it will change their community (i.e. new partnerships between schools, knowledge gained, changed attitudes and behaviors about the environment)
Do your students think people will make different choices or change their behavior due to their efforts?
RESOURCE: Google Master Slides is a tool that could be used to conduct an assessment over time. Google Forms is another tool that could be used for summative assessments.
Creating student perspective videos before, during and/or after the project can show the progression of the project, can be used a reflection tool and can be shared with future classes.