I work in the uniform shop at CCSC and am often asked by people outside the college what Project Based Learning (PBL) is all about. Usually, I chat about one of the many projects I see the kids working on at CCSC.
Building the vegie garden is a good example of PBL as it involves Science, English, Maths and teamwork all together in one practical, fun project, under the guise of learning.
I watched our kids as they built the garden in the pool area, surrounded by open space and bush. There they were, a hive of activity, in groups, busily building, busily conferring, laughing and happy.
During a conversation I had with a teacher about the vegie garden I learned that, through a series of questions and answers between student and teacher, the kids themselves had, under supervision and with guidance:
- established what kind of plants were needed (based on the environment and the needs of our college i.e produce for our chefs to use in our college cafe)
- learned the basics of what a plant needs to grow (good soil, nutrients, water, sunlight and care)
- chosen the best place to plant (based on the above)
- understood the importance of companion planting to negate the need to use harmful chemicals
- cleared the area and levelled the soil, checking accuracy with a level
- calculated measurements for the planter boxes using tape measures to ensure they would fit into the area
- assembled the planter boxes using nails, screws, hammers and drills
- calculated how much soil they would need and planted the plants
- worked collaboratively in teams
- written reports on the progress of their garden
Do you and your children have a favourite project you have worked on?
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