If you are a science or engineering teacher, you must explore the project-based learning idea over at EduRuminate. Students created sustainable housing (albeit on a fairly small scale) as a way of learning about design, building, and ecology. This post contains some good pictures and a pretty thorough description of the projects complete with assessment criteria.
I have written a lot about projects on this blog as they are such an elegant way to include all students in lessons and tailor different learning goals for different students. In this project, not all students need to be responsible for all elements. You may have a few learners who are really only focusing on the design elements or the ecology goals, but they can still participate in all aspects of the project and learn alongside peers.
About Paula Kluth
