The Ultimate Guide to High School Project-Based Learning

Published in our October 2024 newsletter

Philadelphia high school students have designed and led a variety of creative, impactful wellness projects in their school communities, including educating their peers on healthy hydration with smoothie and infused water tastings and water bottle decorating events, petitioning their principal to open the school gym for physical activity every lunch period, and growing, prepping, and distributing fresh produce to the entire student body. What do these projects have in common? They are all a culmination of student-led projects through The DRAGON Project!

The DRAGON project is an eleven-part nutrition series that begins with five curriculum lessons before transitioning to six student-led sessions, where the class collaborates on a group-designed wellness project benefitting the health of their school or community. This unique curriculum explores mindfulness, grocery shopping and food choices, and sustainability while students also learn project management and leadership skills. Alongside the class-led project, students consider their individual wellness objectives and practice goal setting for lifelong health.

High school students who have already completed a nutrition series are a natural fit for The DRAGON Project, but don’t discount excited and motivated classes who are new to nutrition education! The DRAGON Project is also a good choice for high school seniors who need to complete a community service project in order to graduate.

Bringing The DRAGON Project into your classroom is easy: each session will take approximately 45 minutes and teachers can work with their nutrition coordinator to develop a lesson schedule that works for the class. The final session includes time for students to reflect upon what they learned, discuss challenges, and celebrate their collective successes.

If this project-based learning experience sounds like the right fit for you and your students, reach out to your Nutrition Coordinator today!