My teaching philosophy aligns with a mission of empowering students to achieve at their highest level of academic success. I believe in emphasizing a problem-based learning (PBL) approach students will be solving real world problems, with a focus on 21st century skills needed to be successful in college and/or in the workplace. I view myself as a facilitator: I will provide chapter question guides, lecture notes, and presentations for all units, but the majority of learning occurs in small groups through activities and lab-work. Through a research project, students learn what it means to be a scientist, and come to appreciate the way science is “done.”

Problem-based learning  (PBL) is a student-centered approach in which students learn about a subject by working in groups to solve an open-ended problem. This problem is what drives the motivation and the learning. Rather than teaching relevant material and subsequently having students apply the knowledge to solve problems, the problem is presented first. PBL assignments can be short, or they can be more involved and take a whole semester. PBL is often group-oriented, so it is beneficial to set aside classroom time to prepare students to  work in groups and to allow them to engage in their PBL project. The essence of teaching through  PBL is for students to engage is Inquiry, like a real scientist.

To make problem based study effective the students generally must:

1. Examine and define the problem.

2. Explore what they already know about underlying issues related to it.

3. Determine what they need to learn and where they can acquire the information and tools necessary to solve the problem.

4. Evaluate possible ways to solve the problem.

5. Solve the problem

21st century skills consist of a wide range of skills and abilities that are necessary for success in a technological world. There are a variety of frameworks for teaching these skills, but all are based in Inquiry. Common themes and skills listed in these frameworks include critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration, communication, and creativity. Students with these abilities are better able to adapt to new situations, solve their own problems, share their ideas, and reflect on how their actions affect others.