PROJECT-BASED INSTRUCTION: TEACHING GEOLOGY TOPICS WITH A PROJECT-BASED APPROACH TO ENGAGE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Project-(or Problem) based instruction (PBI) is an instructional model that allows students to plan, implement, and evaluate projects that have real-world applications beyond the classroom. Project-based instructional strategies have their roots in the constructivist approach. Constructivism views models learning as the result of mental construction; that is, children learn by constructing new ideas or concepts based on their current and previous experiences.

PBI is an exceptional approach for teaching geology because geology contains naturally interdisciplinary topics, have real world applications, and can easily be made into long-term investigations. Students become active researchers discovering and exploring theories and ideas in geology, from plate tectonics to geologic time, much of geology has a natural appeal to K-12 students.

Climate change is a problem well identified in the media that lends itself to inquiry in the classroom. “Emission Possible” was a project developed to allow students to examine the factors contributing to global warming and then to develop a plan of action to address the problem. Students used technology to research, run simulations and create presentations that summarized their finding. Motivation was high and participation was 100%.