PBL Showcases

Strong student presentations are at the heart of a successful showcase.🩷

Consider including:

• Clear expectations or rubrics for presentations

• Student-friendly presentation checklists

• Sentence stems and speaking supports (especially for ELL students)

• Practice opportunities (peer feedback, rehearsal protocols)

• Options for presentation formats (live presentation, recorded video, tri-fold boards, digital slides)

• Have students "dress" for the part. 

Tips:

• Focus on helping students explain their learning process, not just the final product

• Encourage use of academic vocabulary and content-specific language

• Provide scaffolds so all students can confidently present

Showcases should visually highlight student thinking and the learning journey. 🧠

Ideas for displays:

• Tri-fold boards with visuals, labels, and explanations

• Digital displays (slideshows, videos, QR codes linking to projects)

• Models, prototypes, or interactive artifacts

• Process work (notes, drafts, revisions) alongside final products

• Brochures that can be taken by the public.

  • See these examples from around the district.

Tips:

• Post your driving question, and project information for the public to understand the project

• Include labels or captions so visitors can understand the work independently

• Emphasize both the process and final product

• Ensure displays are organized and easy to navigate

A great showcase invites the audience to interact, ask questions, and connect with student learning. 👏

 Strategies:

• Provide guiding questions for visitors to ask students

• Include interactive elements (demonstrations, hands-on components)

• Create feedback opportunities (sticky notes, comment cards, digital forms)

• Use QR codes for additional information or audience feedback/reflections

Tips:

• Prepare students to answer questions and explain their thinking

• Encourage authentic conversation between students and visitors

• Consider assigning student roles (greeter, presenter, guide)

Strong organization ensures a smooth and successful event. 📍

Key components:

• Event layout and maps for classrooms or showcase spaces

• Schedule (arrival times, rotations, presentation windows) 

• Clear signage and directions for visitors

• Technology needs (devices, Wi-Fi access, charging stations)

• Staffing plan (who supports where)

Tips:

• Create and share a simple map of the event space

• Engage the public in visiting all grades with a "Passport" and stamps

• Plan for crowd flow and accessibility

• Communicate expectations clearly with staff, students, and families

• Have staggered times for live presentations so other grades can go see each other!