When facilitating Project Based Learning (PBL) workshops across the country I often have math teachers eagerly ask for additional math PBL resources. They want material that might provide a further idea, a scaffolding lesson, footprint, or even an entire plan for a PBL unit. In meeting these teachers’ needs I have spent hours in research. I am pleased to share with you these twenty sites that I am certain can help facilitate Math PBL. Of course I have many things I would like to discuss in regards to Math and PBL… but I will save that for a future post. I hope you enjoy these twenty resources that are a part of this four part series. Is there something that should be added? Let me know! Please return, share, and provide a retweet.
Part 3: Math and Project Based Learning… 20 Amazing Resources
Intel PBL – Intel stresses that PBL puts assessment and content standards at the forefront of learning. It is with projects that students can be engaged in authentic work and develop 21st- century skills of collaboration, problem solving and critical thinking. A well-designed, project-based curriculum can yield high quality results for students and a rewarding experience for teachers. The provided link opens the door to some great Math projects from Intel.
Exploring Space Through Math – This amazing NASA site promotes inquiry through real world applications. Students assume the role of NASA scientists, engineers and researchers who work in teams to accomplish tasks. These projects promote cooperative learning, problem-solving and the use of technology. The problems in this project follow the 5-E’s Instructional Model with a segment for each phase of instruction – Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend and Evaluate. The projects cover the scope of Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and Precalculus.
Curriki Algebra – This is an Open Education Resource (OER) Algebra course that consists of five units aligned to the Common Core. Each of the units culminates in a project that utilizes mastery of conceptual understanding taught in the individual lessons. These units include:
- Unit 1: Relationships between Quantities and Reasoning with Equations
- Unit 2: Linear and Exponential Relationships
- Unit 3: Descriptive Statistics
- Unit 4: Expressions and Equations
- Unit 5: Quadratic Functions and Modeling
Teach 21 – This resource rich site was designed by teachers to assist colleagues in planning and delivering effective 21st century instruction in West Virginia. While it enables educators to quickly access 21st Century Content Standards, Learning Skills and Technology Tools for WV Schools the provided link indexes the Math PBL projects for grades 3 -12. There are over 50 potential projects to explore!
Annenberg Learner Math Lessons – Annenberg Learner uses media and telecommunications to advance excellent teaching in American schools. This mandate is carried out chiefly by the funding and broad distribution of educational video programs with coordinated Web and print materials for the professional development of K-12 teachers. The math lessons could be a footprint to a PBL unit or scaffolding for an entire PBL. While at the site… take a look at the interactives.
cross-posted at 21centuryedtech.wordpress.com
Michael Gorman oversees one-to-one laptop programs and digital professional development for Southwest Allen County Schools near Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is a consultant for Discovery Education, ISTE, My Big Campus, and November Learning and is on the National Faculty for The Buck Institute for Education. His awards include district Teacher of the Year, Indiana STEM Educator of the Year and Microsoft’s 365 Global Education Hero. Read more at 21centuryedtech.wordpress.com.
