project based assignment topics

NextLesson Blog

Connect learning to the real world, 100+ project-based learning ideas for every age.

This blog series was authored by our own A.J. Juliani, Head of Learning & Growth.

“Everything begins with an idea.” – Earl Nightingale

When I started on my Project-Based Learning journey, I always wondered what other teachers were already doing with PBL in classrooms around the country and world. I remember joining Ning sites and finding other teachers who were doing PBL, it was like a dream come true to chat and discuss and learn.

With the growth of Twitter, blogging, and conference I was able to meet educators from around the world who have inspired me to go deeper into Project-Based Learning. Their ideas were what got me started documenting projects and step-by-step practices that would enhance any PBL experience.

PBL is growing because it engages and empowers students to learn experientially and share that learning in new and unique ways that go well beyond the classroom. Yet, many teachers are asking: How do we plan and implement PBL? How do we “fit it in” our current curriculum? How do we assess it using our current grading guidelines? How do we manage this type of learning?

These are all real concerns and questions that cannot be dismissed. PBL takes time to plan, implement, manage, and assess. Then it takes time to tweak, improve, and highlight.

If you asked any teacher, administrator, parent, school board member, student, or community member to list their top goals for an academic program, you would see achievement, 21st-century competencies, equity, and motivation all at the top.

Project-based learning is shown to work in all kinds of schools, in all different grade levels, with students of varying backgrounds and abilities.

So, if this is what the research says about PBL, then why do we still have so many schools falling into the test prep trap? Why do some many teachers feel like they cannot make the jump into PBL? Why haven’t we seen a nationwide movement towards PBL as a best and effective practice for all students?

It comes back to HOW to do PBL in the midst of standards and curriculum. I’ve put together a free workshop to show you the 5-step process to do just that.

I’m holding three workshops this week (for K-5, 6-12, and school leaders):

• For Elementary Teachers (K-5 Workshop)
• For Middle School and High School Teachers (6-12 Workshop)
• For School Leaders (Admin and Central Office Workshop)

Ideas to Get You Started

Grades 6-8 ela, grades 6-8 social studies, grades 6-8 science, grades 6-8 math, grades 9-12 ela, grades 9-12 math, grades 9-12 science, grades 9-12 social studies.

It comes back to HOW to do PBL in the midst of standards and curriculum. I’ve put together a free workshop to show you the 5-step process to do just that. You don’t need to start from scratch, instead, you can get a jumpstart on the process.

You can sign-up to be a part of the training right here! If you can’t make the time, please sign-up so you can get the recording.

Are you ready to hit the ground running? Let’s get started!

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100 Project-Based Learning Ideas

Already know about PBL? Skip to 100 PBL Ideas

What is project-based learning, project-based learning definition.

Project-based learning, or PBL, is an instructional approach that encourages students to explore real-world problems and challenges. It is an engaging and meaningful way for students to learn, allowing them to apply their knowledge in a practical context.

In practice, PBL is simply a series of activities designed to help students develop a deeper understanding of a particular topic or subject. These activities range from hands-on experiments and simulations to research projects and presentations.

Project-based learning is an effective way for teachers to engage their students in the classroom. It encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration , and communication skills. Plus, it allows students to take ownership of their learning and apply what they've learned to real-world situations, making the learning experience more meaningful and relevant.

How is project-based learning different than traditional instruction?

Project-based learning differs from traditional learning models in several ways:

• Curriculum: Traditional learning models typically follow a pre-determined curriculum with specific content that students must learn. On the other hand, project-based learning is driven by the project itself. The project is the vehicle through which students learn the content, and the curriculum is tailored to the project.
• Hands-on learning: In traditional learning models, students are often passive learners, listening to lectures and completing worksheets. In project-based learning, students are active learners, participating in hands-on activities that enable real-world application.
• Problem-based learning: In traditional models, the emphasis is on memorization and knowledge reproduction. In contrast, project-based learning is based on solving real-world problems, requires students to apply critical thinking skills, and develops problem-solving ability.
• Collaboration and teamwork: Traditional models tend to focus on individual achievement, whereas project-based learning encourages cooperation and teamwork. Students work together to complete a project, which teaches them how to communicate effectively and work well with others.
• Student-centered learning: Traditional models focus on the teacher as the primary source of knowledge, whereas project-based learning is student-centered, allowing students to take an active role in their education and develop a deeper understanding of the material.
• Assessment: Traditional models often rely on standardized tests, a one-size-fits-all approach to assessing student learning. In project-based learning, assessment is based on the project itself, with an emphasis on how well students have applied the content to the project.

Overall, Project-based learning is a holistic approach that emphasizes active, hands-on, and problem-based learning, while traditional models tend to be teacher-centered, lecture-based, and focused on knowledge reproduction.

Why should you use project-based learning?

Innovative instruction models like PBL are becoming increasingly important because they help students develop essential skills for succeeding in the 21st century. PBL encourages students to think critically, solve problems, collaborate with others, and communicate effectively. It also allows them to take ownership of their learning and apply their knowledge practically.

While traditional education models rely heavily on memorization and rote learning, PBL allows students to explore and discover new information. This encourages them to think outside the box and develop creative solutions to problems— a skill that is essential in the modern workplace.

Watch: Project Based Learning: Explained.

Project-based learning is helpful for various reasons:

• Relevance: Project-based learning provides students with relevant, real-world experiences that are meaningful to them. This allows them to connect what they're learning to the world around them, helping them to understand and retain the information better.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving : Project-based learning requires students to think critically and solve problems, essential skills for success in the 21st century. By working on a project, students can apply what they've learned in a real-world context, helping them develop a deeper understanding of the material.
• Collaboration and teamwork: Project-based learning encourages collaboration and teamwork, which are important skills for students to develop. By working together on a project, students learn how to communicate effectively and work well with others, which are valuable skills in their personal and professional lives.
• Creativity and innovation: Project-based learning allows students to be creative and innovative. As they work on a project, they can think outside the box and develop new and unique ideas. This helps to foster creativity and innovation in students, which are valuable skills for success in any field.
• Student-centered learning: Project-based learning is student-centered and encourages students to participate in their education actively. This allows them to develop a sense of ownership and responsibility for their growth, which can increase engagement and motivation.
• Preparation for the future: Project-based learning provides students with experiences closer to the real world, which can better prepare them for future careers. Additionally, project-based learning often requires students to use technology and other modern tools. This helps them develop the digital skills that are becoming increasingly necessary in the workforce.

Overall, Project-based learning is a dynamic, engaging, and effective way for students of all grade levels to learn and develop critical skills necessary for success in school and life.

Research & Evidence

Research on project-based learning has found that it can effectively improve student learning and engagement. Studies indicate that students who participate in project-based learning tend to have higher levels of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as better retention of the material. Additionally, students who participate in project-based learning often have increased engagement, motivation, and a better understanding of the material.

The following are a few studies that support the effectiveness of project-based learning:

• One study found that when teachers received training and support in using project-based learning (PBL) in the classroom, their students performed better on Advanced Placement (AP) exams than students whose teachers did not have this training. The study suggests that using PBL in classrooms can benefit students' learning and preparation for college-level exams and civic engagement and engagement with learning. (Saavedra, Liu, et al., 2021)
• A study in Michigan found that third-grade students who were instructed using Project-based Learning (PBL) and 3-dimensional learning outperformed those who continued with their usual curriculum on a science achievement test. The new curriculum also improved students' scores in self-reflection and collaboration in science classes, suggesting that it can be an effective way to teach science in elementary school and help students develop a deeper understanding of science and SEL skills. (Krajcik et al., 2021).
• A study of middle school students in California found that those who learned science through a project-based curriculum performed 11 percentage points better on a science assessment than their peers. Additionally, students who used the project-based curriculum did better on the end-of-year math and English language arts assessments. (Deutscher et al., 2021).

These studies are just a few examples of the research that's been done on project-based learning. So, while it's clear that PBL can be an effective way to improve student learning and engagement, it's also worth noting that the effectiveness of PBL will depend on the specific implementation of instruction and the context in which it is used.

Project-Based Learning Example

One example of PBL in a K-12 classroom might be an activity on environmental pollution. Students might be asked to research different types of pollution, create a presentation about their findings, and then design an action plan for reducing pollution in their community. 

From this project, students might learn the following:

• Research skills, such as locating and evaluating reliable sources
• Information literacy, such as understanding how to organize and present data.
• Environmental science concepts, such as the sources and impacts of pollution.
• Creative problem-solving and critical thinking skills when designing an action plan.
• Communication and collaboration skills when presenting their findings and working together on the project.

Example PBL Lesson Plan

Lesson title: taking action against environmental pollution, objectives:.

• Students will research different types of pollution and their effects on the environment.
• Students will understand the importance of taking action to reduce pollution in their community.
• Students will design an action plan for reducing pollution in their community.
• Internet access
• (optional) Research materials (books, articles, etc.)
• Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides)
• Poster board or other materials for creating an action plan
• Introduction: Begin by discussing the concept of pollution and its adverse effects on the environment. Ask students to brainstorm examples of different types of pollution and their environmental effects.
• Research: Divide students into small groups and assign each group a specific kind of pollution to research. Provide each group with internet access and research materials. Give students time to conduct research and take notes on their findings.
• Presentation: Have each group create a presentation on their research findings. Encourage students to be creative and use visual aids in their presentations. Allow time for each group to present their findings to the class.
• Action Plan: After presentations, have students work in groups to create an action plan for reducing pollution in their community. Encourage students to think creatively about ways to reduce pollution. Allow students time to research and gather additional information they may need for their action plans.
• Implementation and Reflection: Encourage students to present their action plans to the class or a community group. The students should explain their plan and how they will implement it. If feasible, help students implement the plan in their community; after that, ask students to reflect on what they've learned throughout the project, how they felt during the different steps, and the successes and challenges of their plan.
• Assessment: Assessment can be done in various ways, for example, by:
• Evidence-based, authentic assessment by using the Unrulr app
• Self-reflection and peer evaluations on the presentations and action plans
• Observation of students during research, presentation, and plan implementation
• Formal assessments such as quizzes on pollution, what was learned about pollution, and the effects it has on the environment

Adaptations:

• Depending on the grade level and the students, the project can be adapted to their needs. For younger students, it may be simpler to focus on one type of pollution and its effects on their community.
• Depending on the subject, the project can be modified for the subject area, for example, science, social studies, language arts, or math.
• For students with special needs, you can adapt the projects with specific materials or instructions.

One hundred project-based learning ideas

Whether you are new to PBL or a seasoned veteran, read on to discover 100 PBL project ideas for students to tackle in your classroom.

• Community Garden: design and plan a community garden, including selecting plants, fundraising, and organizing volunteers.
• Renewable Energy: research and build models or prototypes of a renewable energy source, such as solar, wind, or hydroelectric power.
• Historical Fiction: research a historical event or period, and then write and illustrate their own historical fiction story.
• Board Game Design: design and develop a board game, including creating the game rules, storyline, and artwork.
• Science Fair: choose a scientific topic and conduct experiments or research to present at a school science fair.
• Digital Photography: learn digital photography basics, including composition and editing, and create a photography portfolio.
• Environmental Impact: research the environmental impact of a particular industry or activity and then create a plan to reduce that impact.
• Cooking class: learn about nutrition and food preparation by planning and cooking a series of meals.
• Debate Club: students research and debate current events and social issues.
• Entrepreneurial Challenge: work in teams to develop and pitch a business idea to a panel of judges.
• Mock Trial: students research and stage a mock trial, playing the roles of attorneys, witnesses, and jurors.
• Community Service: research and plan a community service project, and then work to implement it in the community.
• Crime Scene Investigation: learn about forensic science and use critical thinking skills to solve a simulated crime scene.
• Current events: students keep track of current events and create a News show or podcast discussing the events.
• Music Production: learn about music production and create a digital audio track.
• City Planning: research and design a plan for a sustainable, livable city.
• Movie Making: write, direct, and produce a short film.
• Crime Statistics: analyze crime data to identify patterns and develop crime-prevention strategies.
• Public Speaking: students research and deliver speeches on a topic of their choice.
• Cultural Exchange: learn about different cultures and create a cultural exchange program with a school in another country.
• Fashion Design: design and create a clothing line or accessory collection.
• Psychology: students research the effects of a specific psychological phenomenon and conduct experiments to test their hypotheses.
• Art History: research a particular art movement or artist and create an artwork inspired by that movement or artist.
• Space Exploration: research and design a mission to explore a planet or moon in our solar system.
• Geography: create a digital map and report on a region's geography, culture, and economy.
• Poetry: research and analyze different types of poetry and write an original poem.
• Internet Safety: research the risks of social media and internet use and create a public service campaign to educate peers on how to stay safe online.
• Personal Finance: learn about personal finance and create a budget, saving, and investment plan.
• Archaeological Dig: plan and conduct an archaeological dig. Learn how to preserve and interpret the findings.
• Pop-up Book: design and create a pop-up book featuring original illustrations and stories.
• Green Architecture: research and design an energy-efficient, sustainable building.
• Ecosystems: research a specific ecosystem and create a model or presentation that illustrates the interconnectedness of its various components.
• iOS/Android App development: learn the basics of mobile app development and design an app.
• Radio Broadcasting: create a radio show featuring original content and interviews.
• Children's Literature: research and analyze children's literature and create a children's book.
• Human Rights: research a specific human rights issue and create a campaign to raise awareness and advocate for change.
• Creative Writing: students write and revise a short story or novel and receive feedback on their work.
• Anatomy: create a detailed diagram of the human body and learn about the functions of a specific body system.
• Climate Change: research the causes and effects of climate change and prototype solutions to combat it.
• Disaster Management: research and plan for natural or man-made disasters and create a disaster preparedness plan for the community.
• English as a Second Language (ESL): students teach English to non-native speakers in the school or community.
• Genealogy: students research their family history and create a family tree.
• Firefighting: learn about firefighting techniques and equipment and conduct a simulated fire drill.
• Rube Goldberg Machine: design and build a Rube Goldberg machine to perform a specific task.
• Stop-motion Animation: learn the basics of stop-motion animation and create an animated short.
• Medical Science: research a specific medical condition and create a public awareness campaign.
• Travel Planning: research and plan a fictional trip to a foreign country.
• Personal Growth: students reflect on their personal growth and create a plan to achieve their goals.
• Meteorology: learn about weather patterns and create a forecast for the local area.
• Video Game Design: design and develop a video game.
• Podcasting: produce a podcast on a chosen topic.
• Industrial Design: design and prototype a new product or piece of furniture.
• Personal Branding: students research and develop their personal brand.
• Social Media Marketing: learn about social media marketing and create a campaign for a local business.
• Jazz Band: learn how to play jazz music and perform in a school concert.
• Environmental Science: students research a specific environmental issue and propose solutions.
• World Religions: research and compare different world religions.
• Stand-up Comedy: learn the basics of stand-up comedy and perform an original comedy routine.
• Photo Essay: learn about photography and create a photo essay on a specific theme.
• Textile Design: learn about textile design and create a collection of original fabric designs.
• Geopolitics: research and analyze current geopolitical issues and events.
• Cybersecurity: research and learn about cyber threats and create a plan to protect your online identity.
• Earth Science: learn about the earth's systems and conduct experiments to test hypotheses.
• Coding: learn how to code and develop a software program or website.
• American Sign Language: learn American Sign Language and translate a popular song.
• Nutrition: research the effects of nutrition on health and create a healthy meal plan.
• Environmental Science: Students learn about the effects of pollution and create a plan to reduce waste and conserve resources.
• Stress Management: learn about stress management and create a personal stress-reduction plan.
• Game Theory:   students research game theory and create their own game to demonstrate a game theory concept.
• Street Art: learn about street art and create a mural for the school or community.
• Data Analysis: collect and analyze data on a specific topic and create a dashboard or visualization for the data.
• Carbon Footprint: students calculate their carbon footprint and create a plan to reduce it.
• Political Science: research and analyze a current political issue and propose solutions.
• Economics: research a current economic issue and create a report or presentation to share the findings.
• Astrology: create a horoscope or astrological chart for your birth sign.
• Sustainable Agriculture: research sustainable agriculture practices and create a plan to implement them in the community.
• Astronomy: learn about astronomy and create a model of the solar system.
• Human Development: research human development and create a report or presentation on a specific stage or aspect of human development.
• Media Studies: research and analyze a specific medium, such as television or film, and create a report or presentation to share the findings.
• Gender Studies: research and analyze the social construction of gender and create a report or presentation to share the findings.
• Automotive Technology: learn about the mechanics and technology behind cars and work on a car engine repair project.
• Robotics: Students work on a project to design and develop a robot that can perform specific tasks like assistance for disabled individuals or food delivery.
• Medical Science: research and build a model of the human body to explore the intricacies of the different body systems.
• CNC Programming: learn the basics of CNC programming and use it to design and create a 3D project, like a piece of furniture or art piece.
• Aerospace Engineering: design and build a spacecraft model, then plan a space mission.
• Cybersecurity: research different types of cyber-attacks and imagine a security system to protect against them.
• Biotechnology: work on a project to genetically modify a plant or microorganism to make it resistant to a particular disease or increase its yield
• Human Resources Management: learn about the different aspects of human resources management, such as recruitment, employee development, and performance management, and create an HR plan for a hypothetical company.
• Machine Learning: learn about machine learning techniques and build a model that can perform a specific task like image recognition or natural language processing.
• Supply Chain Management: work on a project to create an efficient supply chain management plan for a hypothetical company
• Lean Management: learn about lean management principles and apply them to a specific production process.
• Futures Studies: students research and analyze future trends and developments in a specific field and create a report or presentation on their findings.
• 3D Printing: learn about 3D printing technology and create and print a physical object using CAD software.
• Artificial Intelligence: learn about the basics of AI and its applications and use it to create a project such as a chatbot or a game.
• User Experience (UX) Design: learn about user experience design and use it to design a mockup for a website or application.
• Augmented Reality: learn about augmented reality technology and use it to create an educational game or interactive experience.
• Virtual Reality: learn about virtual reality technology and use it to create a virtual tour of a historical location or museum, or a journey through a specific ecosystem
• Educational Resources for Local Schools : create educational resources that can be used by local schools in different subject areas. They will research potential topics, create engaging lessons, and produce materials that can be used in the classroom.
• Plan an Accessible Playground : work together to plan an accessible playground for the community. Research different playground designs that meet accessibility needs and develop a budget for supplies.

Keep in mind that these are only examples of project ideas to help you brainstorm. You will need to tailor projects based on what you know about your students and the resources available in your classroom.

Also, remember that project-based learning should be student-centered and engaging, and allow students to work in collaborative groups. Projects should be as relevant and as applicable to the real world as possible.

Book a demo or create an Unrulr account today.

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Project-Based Learning (PBL) Benefits, Examples & 10 Ideas for Classroom Implementation

Written by Marcus Guido

• Teacher Resources
• Teaching Strategies

• Project-based learning definition
• Why is project-based learning important?
• Key characteristics of project-based learning
• What are some project-based learning examples
• 10 Project-based learning ideas for your classroom
• Notable and effective project-based learning examples
• Pros and cons of project-based learning in the 21st century

For some teachers, project-based learning (PBL)  is classroom bliss.

Students work together to investigate an authentic and nuanced real-world problem. They build curriculum-aligned skills in the process. They’re rewarded with enhanced communication and problem-solving skills .

But organizing and running suitable PBL activities isn’t always easy, as the pedagogy is surrounded by debate and takes form in a range of exercises.

Find and facilitate the most appropriate project-based learning examples for your students.

These sections will help you determine if the pedagogy is worthwhile. If so, you’ll come away with a handful of effective ideas to implement easily.

What is project-based learning?

Project-based learning (PBL) or project-based instruction is a student-centered teaching method that encourages learning through engaging, real-world, curriculum-related questions or challenges.

This, of course, goes deeper than doing any old project. The goal is to get students to engage with a question or challenge that requires concentration and nuanced problem-solving skills.

This question or challenge must:

• Be open-ended
• Encourage students to apply skills and knowledge they’ve developed in your classes
• Allow students to take their own approaches to develop an answer and deliver a product

As you can see, project-based learning doesn’t conform to rote approaches or teacher-led instruction.

Driven by critical thinking, it’s often interdisciplinary and encourages students to take a rewarding-yet-challenging road to skill-building and knowledge acquisition through a nuanced learning process.

Project-based learning boosts classroom engagement and has a direct impact on how well students are prepared to enter the workforce once they graduate. 

A growing focus on 21st century skills and critical thinking means project-based learning is gaining steam in education. In addition, PBL can help educators:

• Teach students personal responsibility and critical time management skills
• Design assignments that hit higher-order stages in Bloom’s taxonomy like analysis, synthesis and evaluation
• Provide multiple ways of assessing students at different stages of the project, whether through a portfolio, annotated bibliography, outline, draft product or finished project

When students leave school, they’ll need to understand that work isn’t as straightforward as lectures and homework. It’s more aligned with a project-based approach, where employees are expected to prioritize, manage their time and deliver work on a deadline. Project-based learning helps teach students:

• Creative problem-solving skills
• The importance of collaboration
• How to find the right tools for the job
• How to build independent learning and project management skills
• How to use relevant technology to find resources, communicate and produce a final product

Project-based learning is important because it helps students approach meaningful learning opportunities with curiosity, while also giving them real-world skills they’ll use for the rest of their lives. 

Project-based learning isn’t just group work or a randomly assigned project. Let’s take a look at some of the key characteristics to help you build your own project-based learning assignment:

1. Project-based learning presents an open-ended, appropriately complex question.

Students should have to do deep research, draw on existing knowledge and come up with a solution in the form of a final project — whether that’s a presentation, proposal, essay or other product. 

Students should have a choice in what they explore, and the questions they answer should be genuinely challenging with real-world applications.

2. Project-based learning relates to knowledge acquired through classroom lessons.

Not only should project-based learning build on your classroom lessons, but it should give students the opportunity to put them to use in a real-world setting. Project-based learning encourages students to dive deeper into the subject matter and builds on content knowledge.

Ultimately, this content knowledge should have real-world applications that students can focus on during the project.

3. Project-based learning requires students to find their own solutions to a given problem or question.

Just because the inspiration for project-based learning assignments comes from your lectures, doesn’t mean it should stay there. Effective PBL comes from requiring students to find their own solutions to a given problem — not just plugging in a formula to find the answer. 

In practice, this looks like a real-world project with extended inquiry. It should be a multi-stage process with, if necessary, multiple deliverables at different stages to keep students on track.

4. Project-based learning gives students a choice in how they learn. 

Students learn best when they’re studying something that captures their imagination and interest. Regardless of the end product, students should have as much autonomy as possible in what they make and how. They should learn how to communicate ideas in a group and on their own, and really bring their passion for the project to the forefront.

5. Project-based learning follows a clear, well-defined set of assessment criteria.

The best way to keep project-based learning on track and effective is to let students know what’s expected of them.

At the beginning of the project, give students a rubric and handouts outlining:

• How the project will be graded
• All the products they’ll be required to hand in
• How they should work independently or in a group

Some teachers may even choose to collaborate with students in the development of the rubric and project criteria so they may feel a deeper understanding of the project expectations.

When students know what’s expected of them, they’re more likely to succeed.

A simple example of project-based learning

The PBL process is straightforward.

• You present the  issue, methods of investigation and any supplementary materials.  It’s up to your students to  deliver a defined product .
• Next, encourage students to  reflect  on their work and make revisions, ultimately  delivering a presentation  to their peers.

In social studies, for example, you could task students with conceptualizing and mapping out a smartphone app that addresses a problem within your country. To add a math element, they can budget the necessary resources to develop it.

Despite this clear-cut process, there’s a lot of space for diverse tasks and differentiation in general.

As a type of active learning and inquiry-based learning , examples of project-based learning depend on yourself and your students. As John Dewey famously wrote in My Pedagogic Creed :

The teacher is not in the school to impose certain ideas or to form certain habits in the child, but is there as a member of the community to select the influences which shall affect the child and to assist him in properly responding.

Following this philosophy, it’s probable – and ideal – that any project-based learning exercise you run looks different from those run by your colleagues.

What matters is prioritizing your students’ needs and learning styles above the curriculum.

10 Project-based learning ideas your class will love

As you can see, it’s not always easy to come up with a “project” that meets these requirements. Ideating a driving question into meaningful learning experiences that have real-world applications is no small task. 

But that’s what we’re here to help with. Below are 10 of our ideas to inspire your project-based learning exercises.

1. Play area

Give students an opportunity to apply their geometry skills by designing a new playground for the school.

Using a range of free web applications, or simply grid paper and a pencil, task them with mapping out the playground while meeting certain conditions. These conditions should be based on including a certain number of 2D or 3D shapes in the components of the playground, such as slides and monkey bars. For example, at least two isosceles triangles, three equilateral triangles, four squares and so on. Once complete, each student must calculate the area and perimeter of his or her playground, as well as each component.

2. Your very own math story

Fuse math with visual and language arts by asking students to write their own  math books .

Taking the form of an original short story, require students to cover a certain number of curriculum skills. They should explain and exemplify each skill within the context of the story, inherently allowing them to improve understanding. In exemplifying how to use a given skill, students should teach themselves its importance for a real-world scenario. You should notice improved retention as a result.

Is it hard to get your students excited about math? Try turning it into an engaging game-based learning adventure!

3. Favorite recipes

Take a mathematical approach to nutrition by having your class analyze their favorite foods and dishes for presentations about select recipes.

Each student should choose a main course, two sides and a dessert. They must then create and deliver presentations about how to make the dishes. But instead of standard cooking advice, the focus is nutritional values – calories, carbohydrates, daily vitamin intake and so on – based on the ingredients. You may need to provide a go-to resource for students to find this information, but the onus for creating a healthy meal is on them. Bon appetit !

4. What happened to the dinosaurs?

Satiate your students’ curiosity and probable love of dinosaurs by having them research and argue what caused their extinction, crafting a visual display to illustrate findings.

As the dinosaurs’ extinction remains a debate that can draw students into a rabbit hole, consider providing questions to guide their research. How did the planet change from the Triassic to Cretaceous period? How prevalent were carnivores compared with omnivores and herbivores? Such guiding questions should allow students to reach informed opinions, writing reports to defend those opinions and allowing them to craft creative visualizations.

5. Ancient civilization of needs

Combine history, anthropology and psychology through this project, requiring learners to envision newly-discovered ancient civilizations.

The basic premise is to borrow elements from other ancient societies, creating a unique one. But there’s a catch – the society must satisfy each tier in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. If students are not familiar with the theory, present it along with guiding questions.

For example, “Which tier of the pyramid is most important for society to function?” These questions should encourage students to develop a collection of products, including: a written explanation of the society and how it meets Maslow’s hierarchy of needs ; an analysis of the elements borrowed from other ancient civilizations; a visual depiction of the society and more.

6. Where it comes from

Launch this independent or paired study activity to explore how ancient machines are still present in modern-day science and engineering.

The exercise starts with each student or pair choosing a simple machine – a pulley, lever, wedge and so on – or another ancient tool. They must research the history of their tools, determining how and where scientists and engineers still use them today. Students can then envision how the same tools will work as part of inventions 100 years into the future. They can produce videos, presentations or mock interviews with inventors to showcase their research and ideas.

7. The Oscar goes to …

Have students script a part of a significant historical event to exercise their drama, history, and creative writing skills.

Whether a battle, court proceeding or formation of a powerful organization, have students choose from a list of events. Each learner’s goal is to thoroughly research an event, forming a cohesive string of scenes they’d watch in a movie or television show. This will allow them to write scripts, highlighting each figure’s motives and background. They must also pay particular attention to historical accuracy in terms of dialogue and settings. After you’ve approved each student’s script, they can form small groups and choose their favorite, acting it out in front of the class.

8. Fashionista

Encourage students to take the roles of fashion designers and marketers with a scenario that combines business with visual and language arts.

This scenario entails a client – played by you – asking fashion agencies – played by small student groups – to manage the creation and launch of a specific clothing item, such as a dress or jacket. Although your idea is crystal clear, you’re having a hard time communicating it. So, the agencies must start the project by developing a questionnaire to draw answers from you. As you respond to each agency, they can begin the next steps. These can include designing mock-ups, writing advertisements and calculating an appropriate sale price. After this work is done, each agency will pitch their version of the item to you. You determine who best captured the client’s ideas.

9. A career with math

Give students a chance to look towards the future, investigating a career path that heavily relies on math.

You can present a list of relevant careers or have students suggest their own. Either way, choosing a career will launch the investigation process. Each student must research the career, writing a brief report about how professionals use math in daily duties. From there, students should be able to choose a skill used in their selected procession, linking it to a skill in the curriculum. The final task is to write a textbook chapter that explains the skill while offering specific examples of how and when it is used in the given career.  

10. The economics of pizza

Analyze, from a mathematical perspective , many students’ favorite meal: pizza.

This project-based learning assessment starts by choosing a pizza chain, researching its prices and applying linear algebra concepts to find the base cost of a pizza. These same concepts will allow students to determine how much each additional topping costs.

But the task isn’t done there. Students should research – individually or in small groups – how much it costs to source each topping. They can then determine which type of pizza yields the greatest and smallest profit margins. Doing so acts as an introduction to basic economic concepts, encouraging students to critically think about business.

Notable examples of project-based learning

Your inspiration doesn’t have to be limited to isolated activities like the ones above! There are many notable examples of project-based learning initiatives.

You’ll likely be able to freely borrow ideas from these institutions:

1. THINK Global School

Calling itself the “world’s first traveling high school,” THINK Global School  has its students live in four countries per year while developing curriculum knowledge entirely through project-based learning.

The projects are rooted in the cultures and environments surrounding the students.

2. Muscatine High School

An oft-referenced example of commitment to project-based learning, Muscatine High School  in Iowa worked with a third-party organization to implement project-based learning opportunities across classes and subjects.

The projects are diverse, ranging from developing personal financial plans to exploring local history through interviews with community members.

3. EdVisions

A non-profit organization,  EdVisions ’ mission is “to help create and sustain great schools … using the most student-centered teaching and learning.” This largely involves partnering with schools to implement project-based learning opportunities.

The organization does so by working with a given school to identify students’ learning needs and preferences, tailoring projects to them. This serves as an important reminder: project-based learning starts and ends with students in mind.

However, educators are still asking some important questions...

With such complex demands in today’s educational system, educators worldwide are asking if elementary students can effectively complete research projects?

Will they still meet required learning objectives with the teacher serving as a guide instead of teaching the curriculum in a direct, traditional manner?

The project-based learning ideas above can be incredibly useful in the right setting and with the right students. However, there are some perceived benefits and disadvantages worth outlining.

Benefits and disadvantages of project-based learning

Debate permeates discussions about project-based learning.

It’s up to you to understand the pros and cons, applying them to your classroom situation to make a decision about a given activity.

Key benefits of project-based learning:

• Increased engagement –  Project-based learning empowers students to play an active role in learning, as the complex tasks they take on demand novel approaches and are relevant to real-world contexts. This creates a classroom environment in which students overwhelmingly report feeling engaged, according to a  meta analysis of 82 studies .
• Better knowledge retention –  Compared with traditional instruction,  extensive research  indicates that students who complete project-based learning exercises and assessments often show superior knowledge retention in a range of subjects from math to second-language learning. This can translate to higher performance on tests, according to a  2011 study .
• Improved critical thinking abilities –  The process of completing and delivering a project-generated product inherently builds problem-solving abilities, according to  research from as recent as 2010 . This is because students must heavily exercise those abilities, applying them in tangible contexts. For these reasons, the research indicates that students in project-based learning environments can better use problem-solving skills out of school than those in traditional learning settings.
• More opportunities to explore EdTech –  Project-based learning, by nature, enables students to use EdTech and explore Internet resources and technology tools. For example, independent research is likely rooted in online searches. EdTech, on the other hand, can lend itself to creating and delivering artifacts.

Disadvantages of project-based learning

• Subjectivity in assessments –  When grading a project-based learning product, many critics will say you’re closing the door on objectivity. This is because, as opposed to using standardized forms of measurement, you’ll rely on subjectively assessing a range of products. For these reasons, there’s an argument that you shouldn’t use project-based learning for a large part of students’ marks.
• Hyper-focus on product creation –  It’s possible for the day-to-day focus of project-based learning to transition from developing and applying essential skills to merely working on a product. When this happens, you can debate that students won’t reap benefits such as improved problem solving and knowledge retention.
• Questionable application in mathematics –  Largely skill-based for elementary learners, dedicating time to project-based learning may not be the best use of time. Consider this: Would students better understand multiplication by applying it in a project-based learning context, or by running through drills and  word problems ?

Armed with this knowledge, it’s ultimately your decision to bring project-based learning into your classroom.

A quality project will both engage students’ interests and align with what’s being taught, so keep that in mind for the most successful outcome. 

Final thoughts on building PBL exercises

After going through this, you should have a better understanding of project-based learning as a pedagogy, as well as how to create a project design and launch it.

Just remember that the teaching method must be student-centered. What works for some teachers may not work for you, and what works for you may not work for others.

But you’ll never know until you try.

👉 Create or log in to your teacher on Prodigy – a game-based learning platform for math that’s curriculum-aligned and used by over 100 million teachers, students and parents worldwide.

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Innovative Project Based Learning Ideas for Every Classroom

Mikel Resaba

Project Based Learning (PBL) is transforming classrooms by immersing students in real-world challenges and fostering a deeper understanding through hands-on experiences. If you’re seeking innovative Project Based Learning Ideas, you’re in the right place.

We aim to fill in gap in traditional education resource and guides, by providing you with practical examples of effective project-based learning initiatives across different education levels.

Keep reading to discover how to bring Project Based Learning to life in your classroom:

Understanding Project-Based Learning (PBL)

What is project based learning.

Project-Based Learning (PBL) is an educational approach that goes beyond textbooks and tests. It’s where students actively explore real-world problems and challenges, gaining knowledge and skills through hands-on projects. Project Based Learning is not just a teaching method; it’s a journey into the heart of learning, fostering critical thinking , creativity, and collaborative skills.

Key Principles of Project-Based Learning

Project-Based Learning (PBL) is built on a set of core principles that distinguish it from traditional educational methods. These principles are the bedrock of creating a dynamic and effective Project Based Learning environment:

• Student-Centered Learning: Project-Based Learning puts students at the heart of the learning process. They take the lead in their projects, making decisions, solving problems, and directing their learning paths. This autonomy builds confidence and a sense of ownership over their work.
• Inquiry and Exploration: At the core of Project Based Learning is the spirit of inquiry. Students are encouraged to ask questions, seek out new information, and explore different perspectives . This approach fosters a deeper understanding and a more meaningful connection with the subject matter.
• Real-World Relevance: Project Based Learning projects are often tied to real-world scenarios, making learning more relevant and engaging for students. By tackling issues that matter in the real world, students see the practical application of their studies and are more motivated to learn.
• Collaboration: Project Based Learning often involves group work, where students collaborate , share ideas, and learn from each other. This collaborative environment helps develop communication and teamwork skills, which are vital in both academic and professional settings.
• Reflection and Revision: An integral part of Project Based Learning is reflecting on what’s been learned and how it’s been learned. Students are encouraged to think critically about their work and make revisions, learning that iteration is a key part of the creative process.
• Presentation and Sharing: Sharing their work with others is a common end-goal in Project Based Learning. This aspect helps students develop presentation skills and also allows for feedback from peers and teachers, which is crucial for learning and improvement.

How PBL Differs from Traditional Education

Why Project-Based Learning Works

Project-Based Learning stands out as a transformative educational approach, aligning perfectly with modern pedagogical needs and theories. Its effectiveness and popularity in educational settings stem from its ability to engage students, develop essential life skills, and cater to diverse learning styles, all while preparing them for real-life challenges. Here’s an integrated look at why project-based learning works so well, also linking it to key educational theories and practices:

• Engagement and Motivation : The hands-on approach of project-based learning makes learning more engaging and enjoyable. This increased interest leads to higher motivation and information retention. It aligns with Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) , where emotional engagement is crucial for educational success.
• Develops Critical Skills : Critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication are at the heart of project-based learning, echoing principles from constructivism . These skills are essential for navigating the complexities of the 21st-century world.
• Adapts to Diverse Learning Styles : The adaptability of project-based learning to various learning styles—visual, auditory, kinesthetic—makes it a highly inclusive educational approach. This flexibility reflects principles of cognitive learning theory , which emphasizes catering to individual cognitive processes.
• Encourages Lifelong Learning : By fostering curiosity and a love for learning, project-based learning helps cultivate lifelong learners, an aspect crucial in today’s fast-evolving world. This trait is a cornerstone of inquiry-based learning , which encourages perpetual curiosity and questioning.
• Real-World Application : Project-based learning prepares students for real-life scenarios, linking academic learning to real-world applications. This approach enhances students’ ability to apply classroom learning in external situations, a key aspect of preparing them for future challenges.
• Customizable and Flexible : The ability to tailor project-based learning to any subject matter and age group makes it an effective strategy across educational contexts. Its flexibility allows educators to mold it according to their classroom dynamics and student needs.
• Feedback and Improvement : Project-based learning involves an iterative process where students create, receive feedback, and improve. This reflects real-world problem-solving and continuous improvement processes, essential for student development.

A Closer Look of Project-Based Learning Across Educational Levels

Project-Based Learning (PBL) isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach; it’s versatile, catering to a wide range of learners. Understanding the target audience for Project Based Learning ideas is key to tailoring projects that resonate and inspire. Here’s a closer look:

• Kindergarten kids
• Elementary school students
• Middle schoolers
• Educators and teachers
• High school students
• Higher education students

Project-Based Learning in Kindergarten

Project-Based Learning (PBL) in kindergarten is a magical journey of discovery and creativity. At this foundational stage, Project Based Learning is not just about learning facts; it’s about sparking curiosity, fostering creativity, and developing social skills. Here’s how Project Based Learning unfolds in a kindergarten setting:

Embracing Exploration and Discovery

• Sensory-rich Projects: Young children learn best through sensory experiences. Project Based Learning in kindergarten often involves activities that engage the senses – touch, sight, sound, and even taste. Projects like creating a sensory garden or a tactile art piece allow children to explore and learn through direct interaction with materials.
• Story-based Learning: Stories captivate children’s imaginations like nothing else. Integrating storytelling into Project Based Learning can make learning more engaging. For instance, after reading a story about animals, children could engage in a project to create their own animal habitat.

Fostering Creativity and Expression

• Art and Craft Projects: These projects are a staple in kindergarten Project Based Learning. Children could create a mural depicting seasons, craft their own musical instruments, or build models using recyclable materials. Such activities not only unleash creativity but also enhance fine motor skills.
• Role-playing and Dramatization: Children love to pretend and role-play. Projects that involve dramatization, like reenacting a folk tale or creating a mini-theater show, help develop language skills and confidence.

Building Social and Emotional Skills

• Collaborative Projects: Group activities where children work together to achieve a common goal are excellent for teaching teamwork and empathy. Building a classroom treehouse model or a community helpers’ chart are projects that encourage collaboration.
• Emotional Learning Projects: Activities that focus on recognizing and expressing emotions, like creating an ‘emotions chart’ or storytelling sessions where children discuss feelings, are valuable for emotional development.

Integrating Basic Academic Concepts

• Mathematics Through Play: Projects like setting up a pretend shop can teach basic counting and arithmetic in a fun way. Children learn best when they don’t even realize they’re learning!
• Environmental Awareness: Projects that involve observing and interacting with nature, like planting a garden or observing weather changes, introduce science concepts in a tangible and enjoyable manner.

Involving Parents and Community

• Family Collaboration Projects: Involving parents in projects, like creating a family tree or a ‘my neighborhood’ map, not only enhances learning but also strengthens the home-school connection.
• Community Engagement: Projects that connect children with their community, like visiting a local fire station or creating artwork for a community center, help them understand their role in the larger world.

Project-Based Learning in Elementary School

Project-Based Learning (PBL) in elementary school lays the groundwork for a lifetime of curious, engaged learning. It’s here that children first encounter the joys of discovery and the satisfaction of solving problems. Let’s explore how Project Based Learning can be effectively implemented at this crucial stage of education through various collaborative projects .

Environmental Awareness Projects

• Building a Mini Ecosystem : Students create a small-scale ecosystem, learning about biology, sustainability, and environmental science.
• Designing a Sustainable Garden : Pupils plan and cultivate a garden, learning about plant life, sustainable practices, and teamwork.

Historical Exploration Projects

• Creating a Historical Timeline : This project involves researching and illustrating significant historical events, enhancing understanding of history and the concept of time.
• Cultural Exploration Project : Students explore and present different cultures, fostering global awareness and appreciation for diversity.

Scientific Inquiry Projects

• Young Meteorologist Program : Students explore weather patterns, conduct simple experiments, and present their findings on local weather phenomena.
• Simple Machines Playground : A project where students learn about basic physics by designing and building simple machines.

Art and Creativity Projects

• Community Mural Creation : A group project focused on creating a mural that represents the local community or a theme studied in class.
• Storybook Creation : Students write and illustrate their own storybooks, blending creative writing with artistic expression.

Mathematics and Problem-Solving Projects

• Math in Real Life : A project where students apply mathematical concepts to solve real-world problems, like budgeting for a mini event.
• Geometry in Architecture : Pupils use geometric shapes to design simple structures, understanding geometry’s practical applications.

Project-Based Learning in Middle School

Middle school is a pivotal time in students’ educational journeys, making it an ideal stage for implementing Project-Based Learning (PBL). This period is characterized by students’ growing abilities to think abstractly, reason logically, and engage with more complex subject matter. Project Based Learning in middle school harnesses these developmental strides, turning the classroom into a dynamic learning environment.

The Role of Project Based Learning in Middle School Education

• Fostering Independence: Middle school students are at an age where they crave independence. Project Based Learning offers them the chance to take charge of their learning, making choices and solving problems with minimal hand-holding.
• Catering to Varied Interests: At this age, students are exploring their interests. Project Based Learning can be tailored to these diverse interests, making learning more relevant and engaging.
• Building Critical Thinking: Middle schoolers are developing critical thinking skills. Project Based Learning challenges them to analyze, evaluate, and create, pushing their cognitive abilities.

Engaging Middle School Students with Project Based Learning

To engage middle school students effectively, Project Based Learning should be:

• Relevant and Real-World Focused: Projects should tie into real-world problems or students’ interests to keep them engaged and invested.
• Collaborative: Group projects encourage social interaction and teamwork, skills that are crucial during these formative years.
• Varied in Complexity: Projects should vary in complexity to cater to different learning levels and to keep all students challenged and interested.
• Ask Open-Ended Questions: Encourage students to ask and answer ‘why’ and ‘how’ questions, pushing them to think more deeply about their projects.
• Encourage Problem-Solving: Present students with real problems to solve in their projects, requiring them to think critically and creatively.
• Foster Debate and Discussion: Create opportunities for students to discuss and debate different aspects of their projects, encouraging them to consider various viewpoints and defend their ideas.

Examples of Project-Based Learning Ideas for Middle School

• Simulating Historical Events: Students could recreate a significant historical event, which helps them understand the complexities of history and its impact on the present.
• Designing and Building a Model City: This project incorporates principles of urban planning, environmental science, and engineering, encouraging students to think about sustainability and community planning.
• Investigating Environmental Issues: Students could explore current environmental challenges, conduct research, and propose actionable solutions. This project can also include a community service aspect, like a neighborhood clean-up or awareness campaign.

Assessing Middle School Project-Based Learning Projects

Assessment in Project Based Learning should be as dynamic as the learning process:

• Rubrics: Use detailed rubrics that assess various aspects of the project, from the research and planning stages to the final presentation.
• Peer and Self-Assessment: Encourage students to give and receive feedback. This process helps them develop critical thinking and reflective skills.
• Teacher Evaluation: Teacher assessment should focus not only on the end product but also on the learning process, including how students worked together, solved problems, and overcame challenges.

Project-Based Learning in High School

High school students are on the brink of entering higher education or the workforce. At this pivotal stage, project-based learning (PBL) can be a powerful tool to prepare them for the future.

Civic Engagement Projects

• Local History Documentation : Students research and document the history of their community, culminating in a presentation or a digital archive.
• Public Policy Analysis : Analyze a current policy issue, develop alternative solutions, and present findings to local stakeholders.

STEM Innovation Projects

• Robotics Challenge : Design and build a robot to perform specific tasks, integrating principles of engineering and computer science.
• Sustainable Energy Solutions : Research and propose alternative energy solutions for the school, presenting a feasible plan to the administration.

Creative Arts and Expression Projects

• Theatre Production : Produce and perform a play, allowing students to explore literature, history, and the performing arts.
• Art Installation : Create an art installation that comments on a social issue, combining art with social studies.

Project-Based Learning in Higher Education

In higher education, PBL is an excellent way to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

Research and Development Projects

• Undergraduate Research Project : Conduct original research in a chosen field of study, with the goal of presenting findings at a conference or publishing.
• Startup Incubator : Develop a business plan and prototype for a startup idea, potentially collaborating with business and engineering departments.

Community and Global Impact Projects

• Community Service Initiative : Design and implement a service project that addresses a local need, reflecting on the social impact.
• Global Collaboration Project : Collaborate with students from a university abroad to address global challenges, promoting cross-cultural understanding and cooperation.

Tips for Effective PBL at the Collegiate Level

• Encourage Scholarly Research : Promote the use of scholarly databases and research methods to deepen academic rigor in projects.
• Collaborate Across Departments : Take advantage of the diverse academic departments to build interdisciplinary projects that mirror professional and research complexities.
• Incorporate Industry Tools : Use industry-standard tools and methodologies to give students hands-on experience with the tools they will encounter in their careers.
• Global Perspective : Encourage projects that require students to engage with global issues or collaborate with international peers, expanding their cultural competence and global awareness.
• Outcome-Oriented Projects : Design projects with tangible outcomes, like published research, implemented programs, or exhibited works, to add to students’ portfolios and resumes.

8 Project-Based Learning Strategies You Cannot Miss!

Implementing Project-Based Learning (PBL) can be a game-changer in education, but it requires a thoughtful approach to ensure success. Here’s how educators can effectively integrate Project Based Learning into their teaching:

• Start with Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve with Project Based Learning. Are you focusing on developing specific skills, enhancing knowledge in a subject area, or fostering collaboration? Clear goals help in designing more focused and effective projects.
• Design Engaging Projects: The heart of Project Based Learning is the project itself. Design projects that are challenging yet achievable, relevant to students’ interests and real-world problems. Ensure they align with educational standards and learning objectives.
• Facilitate, Don’t Dictate: Shift from a teacher-led to a student-centered approach. Guide students through the process, but give them autonomy to make decisions and solve problems. This fosters independence and critical thinking.
• Incorporate Technology Wisely: Utilize technology to enhance Project Based Learning. Tools like ClassPoint can be used to create interactive presentations, conduct real-time quizzes, and provide instant feedback, making the learning process more dynamic and engaging.
• Build a Collaborative Environment: Encourage teamwork and collaboration among students. Group projects can help develop communication skills and the ability to work effectively with others.
• Continuously Assess and Reflect: Assessment in Project Based Learning goes beyond traditional tests. Include formative assessments throughout the project, encourage self and peer assessments, and have students reflect on their learning process and outcomes.
• Be Prepared for Challenges: Implementing Project Based Learning can come with challenges like managing diverse learning styles, ensuring equal participation, and aligning projects with curriculum standards. Be proactive in addressing these challenges and be flexible in your approach.
• Seek Feedback and Evolve: After each project, seek feedback from students and colleagues. Use this feedback to refine your approach and evolve your Project Based Learning strategies over time.

Bonus: Getting Started with Project-Based Learning Using ClassPoint

ClassPoint is not just an add-on for PowerPoint; it’s a powerful tool that can transform your approach to Project-Based Learning (PBL). Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can use ClassPoint to bring your PBL ideas to life.

Step-by-Step Implementation:

• Concept Introduction : Use ClassPoint’s Quick Poll or Word Cloud feature to survey students on their initial thoughts about a new topic.
• Project Proposal : Students articulate their project ideas in a short, written format and submit these proposals to the teacher for approval using Short Answer .
• Research and Design : Students conduct research using traditional methods or their devices and compile their findings in PowerPoint. The teacher can also facilitate this step by using ClassPoint’s embedded browser to showcase websites or resources during the presentation for guidance.
• Student Presentation : Students present their completed projects, integrating multimedia elements such as videos and images, alongside live demonstrations to showcase their work effectively.
• Audience Engagement : Encourage students to leverage ClassPoint’s draggable objects , live quizzes or quick polls to interact with other students and allow the audience to vote on their favorite projects or to facilitate a question-and-answer session.
• Assessment & Feedback : Implement real-time polling for a quick knowledge check and collect feedback from classmates, making the session interactive and engaging.

Take the Next Step in Project-Based Learning

You’ve seen the power of project based learning ideas – now it’s time to bring them into your classroom. With ClassPoint’s interactive features, you can elevate these projects from concept to reality.

• Turn your PowerPoint into an interactive learning hub.
• Engage students with real-time quizzes and polls.
• Track progress and celebrate achievements with gamification.

Don’t just read about it – experience the transformation. Try ClassPoint for free and watch your project based learning ideas come to life!

About Mikel Resaba

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Project-Based Learning Ideas and Examples for the ELA Classroom

Project-Based Learning , Research Writing , Secondary Literacy , Writing

You might recognize “project-based learning” as a buzzword in education. There is a reason for all the hype surrounding project-based learning. This style of instruction incorporates curriculum with 21st-century skills in a way that is highly engaging for students. If you’re looking for project-based learning ideas for the English Language Arts classroom, this blog post will introduce you to six simple and fun project-based learning examples .

What is Project-Based Learning?

To put it simply, project-based learning delivers instruction through hands-on assessment. Students will meet the curriculum standards of the unit while they complete the project. The project will incorporate each learning goal by requiring students to reach the goal in order to solve the problem or finalize the project .

We tend to think about assessments as the final step of a learning path. Instead, project-based learning introduces the assessment near the beginning of a unit ; to complete the assessment, students will be required to approach prerequisite learning goals.

You can assign project-based learning individually or as group work. I like to offer my students the opportunity to work on both types of projects over the course of the semester. I usually start with group PBL assignments . Then, I’ll challenge my students with an individual project-based learning assessment towards the end of the year. I find PBL most successful when I offer student-choice for individual project-based learning assignments.

What are some examples of Project-Based Learning ideas?

Your colleagues may have implemented PBL in their classrooms, especially if they teach STEM subjects. Project-based learning ideas are often associated with technical or scientific design. When people think about PBL, they often think of projects like growing a garden, designing an app, or hatching a chicken egg.

The reality is that project-based learning ideas can apply to almost any activity that connects to the real world . If you’re an ELA teacher , you are probably already implementing real-world learning in some way. You can develop project-based learning ideas grounded in reading, writing, researching, speaking, and listening, like planning a vacation or conducting a mock trial !

Project-Based Learning Ideas for English

Here are some simple and fun project-based learning ideas for English . You can use these ideas in your ELA classroom even if you have no experience with PBL. You can also apply these ideas to middle school ELA and high school English classes :

Conduct a Mock Trial

Moc k trials are an engaging way to explore the legal system and teach argumentative writing . You can conduct a mock trial around any novel or short story that features a character that could be guilty of criminal negligence. Some examples can include Mary Maloney from Roald Dahl’s “ Lamb to the Slaughter ,” Mrs. Price from Sandra Cisneros’ “ Eleven ,” and Sanger Rainsford from “ The Most Dangerous Game .”

Students will be motivated to dive deep into the text to look for evidence to support their arguments; in doing so, they will come to a greater understanding of the story’s underlying message and overarching themes . To prepare for a mock trial, you will need a central accusation along with mock trial roles to assign your students. This mock trial outline includes a slideshow lesson, 30+ role descriptions, an objections cheat sheet, a judge script, a universal rubric, and everything else you need to lead your students through this exciting project-based learning opportunity!

Plan a Vacation

This project-based learning opportunity is perfect for those long winter months! Have students plan a vacation – and practice various forms of writing while they’re at it! This type of project will invite students to explore the world without leaving the classroom.

Students can begin this project by thinking about a place they’d like to visit. The next steps are to use research skills to write an article about the local customs and culture. Students can then plan their daily itinerary and use graphic texts to illustrate their trip timeline or vacation budget. You can even have students practice narrative writing by crafting daily journal entries during their trip! This vacation planning project has everything you need to assign and assess this activity.

“Humans of My Community”

A popular project in secondary school involves having students interview family members to explore their family tree; however, some students may require an approach to interviewing that is more trauma-informed. This is especially true for students’ families who have endured collective hardships or systemic oppression. I find “ Humans of my Community ” to be a perfect alternative. This project-based learning example uses the same interviewing skills listed above and incorporates news article writing – this is especially helpful if you are preparing for the OSSLT .

In addition to speaking and listening, students will need to learn the news article format in order to complete this project. In turn, they will better understand how to read and write news articles. Mondays Made Easy offers a Community Interview Project outline for high school students. This resource includes assignment instructions, graphic organizers for article writing, assessment guidelines, and tools to help students facilitate interviews.

Letter Writing for Real-World Learning

Letter writing is a great way to incorporate real-world learning into almost any novel study or short-story unit . You can do this by using backward design and starting with the major conflict or theme within the novel. Then, consider an organization in your community or geographic area that handles issues related to this topic. When you introduce the novel or short story, you can mention to students that they will write an appeal to this organization.

For example, when my students read I Am Malala , I introduced Amnesty International’s Write for Rights . I selected a person who reflected Malala’s situation in the novel and told students we will be writing and sending letters on their behalf. Students conducted their own research to develop arguments in their letters. Additionally, they applied the lessons and conversations from our novel study to further support the cases in their letters.

Real-World Resource for Research Essays

One way to spice up a research unit is to introduce the concept of a “real-world resource.” A real-world resource can be any medium used to deliver information to the public . Examples include pamphlets, TED Talks, infographics, podcasts, and more. This project-based learning idea is a great opportunity for implementing student choice . Students can select a topic of interest to them to inform their audience.

Of course, in order to inform, students will need to research . You can incorporate teaching MLA format , practicing in-text citations , and other important research skills related to your English Language Arts curriculum. The best part about this PBL assignment is that it shows students the value of research in the real world . Your students will see the parallel between expository and argumentative writing and fields including marketing, broadcasting, media production, hospitality, medicine, health and wellness, and more!

Mondays Made Easy offers a Real-World Resource assignment outline that includes instructions, assessment tools, and student examples. You can use this resource to facilitate this project-based learning idea in your classroom.

Fundraising as a Project-Based Learning Idea

Here’s another way to connect PBL to any novel study or short-story unit. Similar to letter-writing, students can actively apply the story’s conflict and themes to real-world scenarios . You can select a community partnership that supports a cause related to the story you are studying in class.

Students can apply their knowledge of the text to their fundraising initiatives by selecting items of need for fundraising. Additionally, students will need to demonstrate that they are well-versed in their topic to appeal to donors.

I used the following example in my classroom: while we were reading Nancy Mair’s “On Being a Cripple” in my AP Language and Composition class , my students gained an understanding of what it meant to be able-bodied. Then, they invited a local organization supporting students with disabilities to join a fundraising event at our school.

This partnership required students to meet cross-curricular requirements involving letter-writing , event planning , and managing funds . In addition, students gained compassion and understanding for people who are disabled – an important real-world lesson for students attending school in the private sector.

Classroom Debates

You can bring your persuasive writing unit alive by assigning a classroom debate. This project-based learning idea is always a huge hit. Students can begin this assignment by brainstorming different topics of interest . Then, you can assign teams based on student choice .

In order to develop a strong argument , students will need to learn how to develop main points and supporting evidence . They will also learn the value of different types of evidence . Finally, they will practice public speaking and listening as they present their arguments and rebuttals.

Mondays Made Easy offers a Lincoln-Douglas Debate resource that outlines the structure of this classic form of debate. This resource also provides students with graphic organizers to develop their ideas. Additionally, you will receive a moderator script in order to easily facilitate a classroom debate.

Tying it all Together

Project-based learning ideas are not exclusive to STEM subjects. If you’ve been avoiding PBL in your classroom or have not been sure where to start, I promise you’re going to love it! Your students will also enjoy the project-based learning examples featured in this blog post and remember them for years to come.

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20 Examples Of Project-Based Learning

From reducing environmental damage to imagining new forms of government, here are 20 examples of project-based learning.

20 Examples Of Project-Based Learning For A Modern World

by TeachThought Staff

In 13 Brilliant Outcomes Of Project-Based Learning , we gave a quick example of project-based learning to illustrate the relationship between learning objectives and the products and artifacts produced by project-based learning.

“As the name implies, project-based learning is simply learning through projects. What is being learned and how that learning is being measured isn’t strictly dictated by the project and any products or artifacts within that project. Rather, the reverse should be true: the desired learning objectives should help dictate the products and artifacts within the project.

For example, instead of wanting students to plan a garden as the core of the project, then deciding which learning objectives and academic standards fit that idea, planning backward–looking first at the learning objectives and academic standards, then brainstorm project ideas and components of that project (audience, purpose, duration, etc.) This can be useful in making sure that in the course of completing the project, they are actually learning what you want them to learn. That is, you can help align the work of the project with the desired learning outcomes and objectives.”

With that in mind, we thought it’d be useful to actually provide some real-world examples of project-based learning (as we’ve done in the past with project-based learning examples in math ). They are more or less grade-agnostic though most lend themselves. as stated, more towards late middle and high school.

Obviously, these are just examples of project-based learning but not necessarily examples of how and why these ideas are considered ‘pbl’ why others may not be. For that, we’d have to explain and illustrate different scenarios for each project, then anticipate and annotate the learning process itself–especially in light of specific learning objectives. The difference between projects and project-based learning is a crucial shift and without that shift, these are just ideas for projects.

However, that would be a short book in and of itself and is beyond the scope of our purpose here: to communicate what project-based learning might actually look like–especially in a ‘modern’ world. What actually makes each project idea actually an example of project-based learning depends on how the project is mapped out and planned, what learning is assessed and how, the degree of agency and voice the student is allowed, the period of time over which the ‘project’ is ‘completed,’ and so on. There is, obviously, a lot to consider.

See also What Is Project-Based Learning?

With that mind, here are 20 examples of project-based learning in a modern world with resources and technology available in most communities.

1. Planning a garden that meets specific design objectives, then plant and tend the garden. At the end of the growing season, iterate the design to improve it for the next season based on how the garden was or was not successful in meeting the objectives.

2. Launching a recycling program that solves an identified problem with existing recycling programs. This can be done at a household-level, school-level, neighborhood-level, or city-level.

3. Analyzing the five most popular social media platforms for teens, then predict and design a new platform based on existing trends and past trajectory of change.

4. Creating ‘visibility’ for something beautiful, useful, or otherwise deserving of attention that currently is under-appreciated (e.g., music, parks, people, acts of kindness, effort, movies, nature, etc.)

5. Mashing three existing video games together (i.e., the core ideas in those games) to create a new game. Obviously this wouldn’t be done digitally but through annotated planning and ‘blueprint’ design.

6. Solving the problem of negative and/or ‘fake news.’

7. Designing a new form of government (or democracy, specifically) that addresses some perceived shortcoming of existing democratic forms (partisanship, non-functioning checks-and-balances, etc.)

8. Helping local businesses increase environmental sustainability (e.g., reduce waste).

9. Creating an interactive family tree with voice-overs from living family members.

10. Documenting the ‘important’ stories from your family (immediate or extended), focusing on older generations first. Help your family tell their story by telling all of their individual stories, then come up with a way to ‘publish’ that story (likely only sharing it with the family itself).

11. Inventorying the world’s most compelling ideas in an elegant and browsable interface.

12. Imagining a dating app in 2050 considering anticipated shifts in technology (e.g., biotechnology) and social norms (e.g., gender, sexuality, class, etc.)

13. Identifying, analyzing, and visualizing recurring themes in human history; then contextualize those themes in modern society.

14. Choosing an issue you claim to be ‘important’ to you, then somehow addressing or supporting that issue with real-world work. Afterwards, documenting the learning process and what you learned and how that might change your approach next time.

15. With current trends in climate change in mind, one example of project-based learning might be to design a modern city for the year 2100 (clean-sheet design), or re-imagine existing cities and how they might cope with climate change.

16. Capturing, documenting, and sharing the wisdom of people living in nursing homes. Alternative: Interpreting very narrow and specific expertise for real-world application. For example, take knowledge of robotics or astrophysics or agriculture or music or theater, then somehow ‘apply’ that expertise in an authentic and real-world setting.

17. Dissecting the ‘anatomy’ of viral web content, memes, or social media arguments.

18. Launching a profitable business with actual documentation of real-world business metrics: profit, loss, cost control, etc. (depending on the nature of the product, service, or platform).

19. Artfully illustrating the global history of human/civil rights for the last 2000 years in one image, visual, or artifact.

20. Creating a photo documentary, then turning that into a film documentary, then turning that into a series of short social media videos.

Bonus: Restore something broken or beautiful.

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10 Project Based Learning (PBL) Examples

If you’ve spent any amount of time in a K–12 classroom, you’ve likely heard about project-based learning (PBL). 

It’s more than just an education buzzword or catch-all for hands-on projects—if implemented properly, PBL can help young learners retain more knowledge, grow their understanding of the world around them, and even identify career possibilities for the future. This form of learning is an excellent way to engage students in their own education and prepare them for success in the real world. Perhaps most importantly, project-based learning can help students develop 21st century skills they’ll carry with them their entire lives, such as critical thinking, problem solving, and collaboration. 

PBL can be used in any subject area and is adaptable to any grade level. It is an especially effective way to engage learners of differing abilities, including English language learners and students with special needs.

In this blog post, you’ll find 10 examples of PBL engagements you can try in your own K–12 classroom. You’ll be amazed at how PBL can transform your content! 

Explore project-based learning principles for elementary schools >>

Overview of Project-based Learning

Project-based learning is a mode of instruction that gives learners the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in the classroom. In PBL, classrooms are organized so that students work together on real-world tasks or problems. By inviting students to engage in hands-on learning activities, they acquire and solidify knowledge in a way that directly applies to their lives. 

PBL is appropriate for students from preschool through grade 12 and beyond. It comprises activities like classroom debates, community service activities, field trips, language immersion programs, and much more. There is no set time for PBL engagements; some last less than one class period, while others, such as long-term research projects, can take over a year or more to complete.

To be considered a PBL engagement, an activity must incorporate most or all of the following seven criteria:

• An open-ended question, challenge, or problem
• An inquiry-based process that stimulates curiosity and generates questions
• The acquisition of new knowledge and skills that build upon prior knowledge
• The use of higher-level skills such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity
• The promotion of student voice and choice
• Opportunities for instructor or peer feedback and revision
• A public presentation of the problem, research processes, methods, and results

PBL is used frequently in STEM or STEAM instruction, since so much of our everyday lives is influenced by the pillars of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math. For many students, a “learning by doing” approach can make a potentially intimidating or challenging subject much more manageable and “real.”

Among other benefits , PBL encourages critical thinking, connects a student’s education to the real world, supports long-term knowledge retention, and helps build lifelong curiosity and a love for learning. 

It is important to remember that PBL is not a one-size-fits-all approach — activities such as the ones in this article should be adapted to meet the needs of your students and the curriculum.

10 Real World Examples of Project-Based Learning in the Classroom

The following 10 examples of project-based learning can be adapted to any classroom, for any grade level, and to fit specific curriculum and individual student needs. 

As you examine these examples, notice where you see evidence of the criteria for high-quality PBL.

1. Create Your Own Website

Project Challenge: Design a solution to a problem. Create a website to advertise your solution with clear reasons and relevant evidence to influence buyers.

Using a website builder platform such as Wix or Squarespace, have students create their own website for a product or service of their choosing. Exercising both research and computer skills, students will research their topic, draft the content, design the layout, and test their site for usability. The design process should incorporate testing and critiquing their classmates’ websites, providing constructive feedback to improve the user experience. 

Use the purpose for the website to integrate the targeted learning outcomes into this project. Remember, high-quality project-based learning requires learners to learn and apply new skills and knowledge in order to complete the project.

Targeted Learning Outcomes:  

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1. Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.

2. PSA Video Project

Project Challenge: Create a PSA about a change you’d like to see here at school. Support your opinion by surveying stakeholders (classmates, teachers, parents, staff) and creating visual representations with pictures or bar graphs. 

Have your students work in teams to create videos in the style of a public service announcement. Ask them to choose an issue they feel strongly about and craft an informative or persuasive argument that might air during primetime television commercial breaks, before YouTube videos, or as a targeted ad on social media. Each group would be responsible for researching their topic, writing the script, and filming the video, with each step being broken into discrete tasks based on individual students’ interests and abilities.

This project naturally lends itself to English Language Arts, but project-based learning innately creates so much opportunity for cross curricular connections.

Targeted Learning Outcomes: 

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.1 . Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.
• CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.MD.B.3 . Draw a scaled picture graph and a scaled bar graph to represent a data set with several categories. Solve one- and two-step “how many more” and “how many less” problems using information presented in scaled bar graphs.

3. Take Action on Current Events

Project Challenge: How might a price increase on avocados impact certain communities’ access to fresh produce? 

Use a current event and a question like the example above to inspire research, learn about different cultures or history, etc. and then do something about it—even if it’s as simple as writing a letter to the CEO of Whole Foods or WalMart explaining your proposed solution.

Teach students the importance of objective reporting and presenting all of the facts without taking a personal stance; provide examples of award-winning journalism students can use as a reference. Ask them to consider not only the factual elements of the story, but also their larger implications. What might the public at large need to know about this event to make them concerned? 

Students can use their research to write an article, create a presentation, or even film a video in the style of a breaking news report. Research projects like this are an excellent way for students to learn about a complex topic, especially one that is directly relevant to their world. 

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.8 . Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is valid and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; identify false statements and fallacious reasoning.

Education isn’t about just filling your head with facts. It’s about taking knowledge and doing something novel with it. So once the students have that experience [in the SmartLab], they start to see that what they’re learning about is bigger than just a fact or concept. Learning is no longer a job; it becomes this adventure. — Brian Beierle, SmartLab Facilitator Prairie View Elementary School, East Troy, WI 

4. Model Bridge Engineering & Construction

Project Challenge: Use physics principles to design and build a safe, durable structure.

STEM projects are an excellent way to engage students in science, technology, engineering, and math. In this type of project, students learn and apply physics concepts and mathematical skills to design, build, and test a model bridge.

Students can work either individually or in small groups. They will need to research different types of bridges, consider the materials they will use, and test their bridge to see if it can hold weight. Once they present their findings to the class, students can test their bridges against others’ to determine what combination of materials and design results in the highest structural integrity. This type of project encourages students to think critically and apply their knowledge to real-world situations.

The SmartLab HQ is helping us develop students who are critical thinkers, communicators, and collaborators. We hope this type of project-based learning will empower our students to make meaningful contributions to the world and be true trailblazers. — Dr. Tracy Bonday, Head of School Ursuline Academy, New Orleans, LA

5. Create a Community Mural

Project Challenge: Facilitate a public art project by focusing on the logistical requirements, such as permitting, materials, and stakeholder input.

Public art breathes new life into the most unassuming places! In this type of project, students will brainstorm as a group to identify a viable space for a new wall mural, whether on school property or somewhere in the community. They will work together to secure the necessary permissions, create a budget, source materials, conceptualize, design, plan, and paint the art.

Arts projects are not only an excellent way for students to exercise their creativity, but planning the logistical side of public art installation helps students build and exercise project management skills, taking into account the input of multiple stakeholders.

Creating a budget and planning a mural requires lots of math thinking! Kindergarteners can measure the dimensions of the wall using nonstandard units of measurement, while middle schoolers can use equations to balance their budget with the size of the mural and material choices.

In the SmartLab, students are engaged in hands-on, problem-based learning. It’s not only different, it’s fun! — Jenny Ledin, SmartLab Facilitator Prairie View Elementary, East Troy, WI

6. Food Bank Awareness & Volunteering

Project Challenge: How can we use our research skills to spread awareness of a local food bank and increase their donations?

Incorporate a visit to the food bank to interview staff, collect information for marketing materials, and interview community members who utilize it and want others to know about its value. Students can then use this research to create and disseminate calls for donations and volunteers, as well as advertise the service to communities who may not be aware of it.

The service component of this project may take place during school, after school hours, or even on the weekend, but students can use time in class to research issues related to food insecurity in their community and even conceptualize sustainable solutions. Projects like these can help students integrate with the local community, allow them to connect their learning to real-word problems, and develop empathy and compassion for others.

The skills that are developed in the SmartLab HQs create good citizens and good humans. It builds on foundational skills and creates the ideal attitudes you want to see in the classroom. — Hallinan Elementary School, Lake Oswego, OR

7. Produce Your Own Podcast

Project Challenge: How can you convey a compelling story or message using only an audio medium?

Creating and producing a podcast is a great example of a topical technology project. Students can research their own topic, develop the script, record, and then publish the podcast on a hosting platform such as Podbean or Soundcloud . Each individual or group can connect their podcast to an existing curriculum unit or subject, or come up with a topic or genre of their choosing, focusing instead on learning and applying critical research and communication skills.

8. Field Trip with a Purpose

Project Challenge: Solve an environmental issue in your backyard.

Plan a field trip to study the effects of human activity on the natural environment. For example, if your school is near a coastal area with heavy trash buildup that impacts waterways and marine life, take a trip to the affected area to record observations, collect samples, and take measurements.

Students can also enlist the help and expertise of local environmental conservation experts, interviewing them and gaining a more robust understanding of the problem and possible solutions. Students use this information to 3D print solutions to mitigate this problem. Conservation experts return to hear the presentations of these potential solutions and provide feedback on their viability.

The Elementary SmartLab HQs have been game-changers by allowing our district to fully integrate and align STEAM programming for our K–12 students. The unique methods of engaging students in meaningful, inquiry-based learning experiences are quickly helping our learners develop a stronger STEAM identity, and they now see themselves and their futures differently. They believe they can change the future! — Clint Allison, Executive Director of Student Achievement Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8, Fountain, CO

9. Mock Trial

Project Challenge: How can you build a case that holds up in a court of law?

Mock trials are an excellent way for students to engage their critical thinking, problem-solving, and persuasive argument skills. In this type of project, students act as lawyers and witnesses in a simulated court case, learning about the legal system and how it works along the way.

Each student will take on a specific courtroom role, such as the judge, defense attorney, prosecution, and jury. Once the facts of the crime have been established, they will prepare their cases and simulate a real trial.

Use the “court case” to integrate language arts and history. Bring students into the past by centering your mock trial around a historical event with impacted populations being represented by the defendants and plaintiffs.

10. Shark Tank Pitch

Project Challenge: Craft a compelling business plan that will make investors want to fund your company.

The popular television reality show “Shark Tank” provides a window into the high-stakes reality of business startups. Using the show as a template, students will embark on their own mock startup ventures, including conducting market research, testing products, and working to convince investors to help fund their business. This project requires that students use their skills of research, persuasion, public speaking, budgeting, and collaboration.

You can even see if your local SCORE chapter is willing to send representatives to coach students on pitching their business ventures. SCORE is a nonprofit network that provides free mentoring to small businesses across the U.S.

How to implement project-based learning in high school classrooms >>

Project-Based Learning Lesson Plans

Project-based learning is not a lesson in itself; rather, it’s a series of lessons that build upon multiple skills. The length of each PBL unit can vary, lasting from several weeks to multiple years—there is no formal rule governing how long you need to spend on a PBL engagement!

Above all, remember that a PBL unit should be more hands-on and interactive than traditional instruction, and should focus on problem solving and real-world applications (as opposed to rote memorization). In terms of the instructional method, PBL tends to be more student centered by design, while a traditional lesson may be more teacher centered.

When planning cross-curricular units, start with the seven criteria of a PBL engagement—or better yet, use these criteria as a checklist! Use the following steps as a guide:

• Identify the learning outcomes or standards you want to achieve or meet. This should happen before any actual lesson planning begins.
• Brainstorm lesson ideas by thinking about authentic problems that are relevant to individual students, their school, community, the state, the country, or the world.
• The project-based lessons you design should require students to learn targeted content or skills, and to apply those skills in developing a solution or completing the project. Start with content in one subject area, then look for cross-curricular connections to cover even more subject areas.
• Now you can begin to plan your unit. Break it down into project steps and think about where instruction or learning will take place in the sequence. It can be helpful to anchor the project steps to some kind of established process , such as the scientific method.
• Determine your students’ roles in completing the project. Will they work independently or in groups? Will each student be responsible for completing a discrete part of a class-wide project, or will each be expected to execute their own project from start to finish?
• How will you and your students know when the project is complete? What will signify success? Make sure your students understand the objective, including what skills they are expected to build during the engagement.
• Decide how you will assess the project. Your grading rubric should account for all the steps taken along the way, from students’ planning process, to their project execution, to the final product.

Creating effective PBL unit plans is not without its challenges—but you don’t have to do it alone! SmartLab helps schools and educators design and implement engaging PBL STEAM learning environments that link to core academic content and foster the development of important academic and life skills. The hands-on, authentic activities allow students to construct their own meaning and explore topics in greater depth.

Time to Get Started

Now that you’ve got some compelling ideas in mind, it’s time to start building your own PBL units. By following the tips in this article, you can create a successful project-based learning lesson plan covering a variety of topics to support your students in developing their skills. Don’t be afraid to get creative! Think about real-world problems and scenarios that your students might be faced with outside the classroom.

Reach out to fellow educators in your school or district to see how they align their PBL units to academic standards or required skills-building. Other teachers are excellent sounding boards for workshopping project ideas, learning what works in the classroom and what doesn’t, and finding resources that can help you achieve your PBL plans.

Look here for more STEM + PBL examples, including details about what makes for effective PBL + STEM programs and lessons >>

SmartLab Learning understands that no two students learn the same way. Our team helps schools implement standards-aligned, individualized learning solutions—created by teachers, for teachers—that meet the unique needs of every learner through a variety of hands-on, engaging activities. Our open-ended projects provide multiple challenge levels and allow students to shape and expand learning around their own interest, abilities, and learning styles. There are so many possibilities…with SmartLab Learning, the sky’s the limit!

Haley Ruman

Haley Ruman is a Sr. Educational Training Specialist at Creative Learning Systems. She holds a Bachelor's of Science in Childhood and Early Adolescent Education and a Master's of Education in learning and technology. Her passion for innovative teaching practices and high-quality tech integration led her to Creative Learning Systems where she works with educators across the country to implement student-led, project-based learning.

Increasing Student Outcomes With Project-Based Learning

With project-based learning (PBL), students tackle problems that connect them to their lived experience, thereby increasing their classroom engagement. And when students actively participate in their learning, their knowledge retention expands. 

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Blog Education 10+ Project Based Learning Examples for Educators

10+ Project Based Learning Examples for Educators

Written by: Rada Abdo Jun 02, 2020

As a teacher, lesson planning can be time-consuming. I often spend hours on Pinterest searching for project ideas to enhance my teaching.

Project-based learning (PBL) shifts from the traditional teaching style to a more dynamic approach. Mastering PBL takes years, not days or weeks. It allows teachers to grow alongside their students, becoming easier with practice.

This guide offers project-based learning examples to inspire and engage your students. For even more ideas and tools, try using Venngage’s Education Content Maker or get started with one of our education templates to spark creativity in your classroom.

Table of Contents

What is project based learning?

10 project based learning examples to enhance student engagement, what are the important elements of project based learning, what are the benefits of project based learning, is project based learning effective, outcomes of pbl.

Project based learning is a teaching method that allows students to gain knowledge by requiring them to work for an extended period of time to investigate a complex problem or question.

Students are given the freedom and opportunity to explore real world problems and develop a deeper and more enriched understanding.

In this guide, we’ll look at project based learning examples to help you inspire and excite your students.

We know that teaching is a skill that requires a lot of planning and that people underestimate the amount of time it takes to create a thorough lesson plan, let alone an entire in depth project. 

The project based learning examples below will help to bring creativity in the way that your students present their information. Your students can use the templates for their projects, or you can use the templates as teaching resources for yourself.

Click to jump ahead:

• Building bridges with list infographics
• Writing to a Congressman with a letterhead template
• Develop a business plan
• Write a blog post to share your learning
• Compare a movie and book with a presentation
• Create a fundraising campaign for an issue you care about
• Create a family tree with a tree diagram
• Plan a community event
• Help businesses decrease environmental impact with flyers
• Use a tracking calendar to monitor your plant growth

Read More:  27+ Lesson Plan Examples for Effective Teaching

1. Building bridges with list infographics

Building bridges is a great project that allows teachers to implement all aspects of S.T.E.M. It requires a lot of problem solving skills and builds on competitive learning skills as well. Using a lesson plan template to create your criteria helps to keep your work organized:

List infographics are a great way to make things easy to remember in a creative way. Certain projects may require a long list of materials from your students, such as this bridge project. In order to keep track of their materials and keep students organized, a list is integral. 

Below are 2 great example of list infographics:

2. Writing to a Congressman with a letterhead template

A good project based learning example is one that can incorporate many different aspects of learning. Not only does this project based example develop writing skills, it takes learners beyond that.

By writing to a congressman students are moving beyond just writing a letter about their research and moving them towards taking action about it by expressing their opinions about an issue they care about. It encourages students to be agents of change by using their civic voice with elected officials. 

Below are great letterhead examples that can be customized to incorporate colour, a border, and a header. Your students will feel like professionals as they’re creating their letters. It could be powerful enough to get their letters noticed and read, with a possible response! 

Below are a couple of great examples to get you started:

Professional blue letterhead template

Creative letterhead template

3. Develop a business plan

This project based learning example allows students to work in groups to develop a business plan. 

Beginning with developing a concept, then doing market research and competitor analysis and ending off with a financial plan. These templates have outlines and examples prepared so that students don’t feel so overwhelmed and can pitch their ideas with ease and confidence.

Related reading: An in-depth guide to creating a business plan that you can share with your students.

The business plan templates below will ensure that any business plan created by students looks professional and inspiring. It may even lead to coming to life!

Here’s a business plan template your students can use:

4. Write a blog post to share your learning

Blog posts are great creative ideas for students to take ownership of their own learning in an expressive way. Instead of writing a traditional essay, a blog post will display the same information but with a kick. Blog posts are also a good asset to include for their portfolios, to help improve their personal brand. 

You don’t need to worry about having to do all the research on how to write a blog post and what to avoid. Sharing an infographic with your students that outlines the steps of how to create a blog post will help them understand the success criteria of their projects. 

When you visualize information, it’s harder to miss important information. Everything is in front of you and is easy to read.

Below are two infographics that explain how to write a blog and what mistakes to avoid that can be easily share with your students:

USE THIS infogRaphic TEMPLATE

5. Compare a movie and book with a presentation

Comparing a book to its movie adaptation is a fun project that incorporates a lot of learning skills. Reading, writing, analysis, with a touch of entertainment as well. The ideas are endless in the different tasks that could be done, what makes it easy is to display all the information by creating a presentation. 

The examples below include important elements to creating a great presentation design . Some of these include:

• Using text size, weight, and color for emphasis
• Including less texts and including only important information
• Emphasizing key points with text and images

Creative presentation template

Whimsical presentation template

6. Create a fundraising campaign for an issue you care about

Another great project based learning example is creating a fundraising campaign. Students again have an opportunity to be agents of change for an issue that they genuinely care about. 

Here is an example of how students can use a timeline infographic template to plan a fundraiser:

Once students have completed their planning, they can use a poster design to create an event which outlines all the details of their campaign.

Important elements of a poster include:

• Considering the target audience
• Including a clear call to action
• Using icons and visuals to improve the poster design

Fundraising poster template

7. Create a family tree with a tree diagram

A good real world question is: how does your family ancestry make you a unique person? Students will have to dive deep into their family history to answer that question. One of the outcomes may be that they make a family tree to trace back who was a part of their lineage. 

Using a family tree template helps eliminate disorganization and helps students stay focused. After designing their family tree, students can easily share it with their family members online!

Below are examples of family tree diagram templates students can use:

8. Plan a community event

Planning a community event takes a lot of work. Students have an opportunity to create change in their communities and take action. After doing the research in terms of food, theme, and decorations – students can create a proposal demonstrating how the event may look and cost. 

The end result of the planning would be creating the actual event poster . Students can make their planning into reality and be the change makers in their community. 

Some poster design tips:

• Leave plenty of white space on your poster
• Keep your poster design simple and professional
• Optimize your poster for social media to reach a bigger audience

To get started, here are some event poster templates:

9. Help businesses decrease environmental impact with flyers

The best projects are those that include multiple subjects in one.

Students can create digital flyers to inform businesses about ways to decrease their environmental impact by “going green”. They can share it with companies that are known to not be environmentally conscious. This is a great way of culminating their research. 

Below are some great examples of flyer templates that students can customize into their own by changing colors, fonts, and the text. 

10. Use a tracking calendar to monitor your plant growth

Students can learn all about plant by observing their growth patterns. They could learn about parts of the plant, what plants need to grow, and the functions of the plant. 

Students can track the progress of their plant growth by inputting their observations into each day of the week:

1. Significant content

This is where you outline learning goals. Looking at your standards and referring to them frequently is helpful. You don’t need to stress yourself and fit every learning standard, but enough to ensure you’re meeting some of them. 

2. A need to know

Creating a “hook” for the introduction of a project is important to get your students interested and engaged. Its purpose is to generate the curiosity of the classroom. It could be in the form of a video, a guest speaker, or a lively discussion. The driving questions should be abstract enough to get your students wanting more.

3. Driving question

This is the question that your students will be working towards answering with in-depth inquiry. It should have a sense of challenge and purpose. Every activity will work towards the answers to this question. The question should be complex enough that it cannot be answered with one google search.

4. Voice and choice by students

This is the fun part of the planning for students. Ownership comes into play in this stage of their project based learning because they get to set their own learning paths.  Below we outline many project based learning examples such as brochures, infographics , tree diagrams and more that allow students to choose what medium they would like to display their information in.

To spark your curiosity, here are some project based learning examples your students can use to display their learning:

• Presentations
• Newsletters

5. 21st century skills

Use of technology, collaboration, creativity, communication, and critical thinking are all 21st century skills that authentic tasks should require. 

6. In depth inquiry and innovation

Students will be spending the most of their time working on this stage. This is where they will be finding answers to the many questions that will evolve as they conduct their research. They will be using websites, books, articles, and videos to dive deep into the subject they’re exploring. All this gathered information will be used to create their product.

7. Reflection and revision

At this stage, students will use rubrics, exemplars, peer editing, and feedback from their teacher to create high quality work. It’s an ongoing process that is a great way to self reflect on the process and drives students to continue improving. 

8. Public presentation

Time to show off all the hard work that students put into their projects in a public setting! It doesn’t have to be just to classmates, it can be to larger audiences including parents, experts, or a larger community. Public also doesn’t have to be in front of a live audience, it could be online as well. Students can brainstorm what they see best fit in terms of how they would like to present their own projects.

Other important elements to consider in project based learning:

• Does this project require innovation and critical thinking skills?
• Does this project include information, media, and technological skills?
• Does this project involve life and career skills?

• Engagement: Students are more likely to be engaged in their schooling when they feel autonomy over their own learning. Project based learning allows students to be drivers of their own learning. 
• Teach and assess multiple skills: Teachers have multiple assessment opportunities to test different skills.
• Differentiation: Students with various learning styles and differences are accommodated since PBL showcases a broad range of capabilities.
• Accountability: Students take greater responsibility for their own learning. 

Project based learning has been proven to be effective in the classroom. Many reports globally have been published encouraging educators to use the project based learning approach to deepen and enrich their student learning.

“One of the major advantages of project work is that it makes school more like real life. It’s an in-depth investigation of a real-world topic worthy of children’s attention and effort.”- Education researcher Sylvia Chard

The benefits of project based learning are endless. It allows for authentic assessment, promotes lifelong learning, and prepares students to develop skills for a highly technological society. Project based learning allows students to learn by doing–from language, to  data science , to history. 

A well designed project based learning experience will have great outcomes . 

Here is a great visual outlining all the different positive outcomes of project based learning:

Get started with project based learning in your classroom so that you can develop critical skills for your students. If you’ve already started and are just looking for more ideas and tools, this guide is also great for you. Whatever your teaching needs may be, your students will appreciate accessing so many of the template examples. 

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How to Use Project-Based Assessments (PBAs) in Education

by The Propello Crew on Nov 2, 2023 9:00:00 AM

Over the past several years, educators have increasingly adopted personalized, student-centered teaching practices to ensure they reach and engage a broad spectrum of learners. Yet, when evaluating students’ knowledge and grasp of new concepts, many schools still rely on traditional assessment methods like tests and quizzes. While these assessments have their place, they’re not always the best indicator of how well students understand materials or whether they can apply their new knowledge in a real-world context. Instead, it can be more beneficial (and enjoyable) for students to participate in project-based assessments: activities that require them to demonstrate their grasp of new information and skills in ways that promote further development and deep learning .

What are Project-Based Assessments?

Project-based assessments (PBAs) are the means through which teachers measure student knowledge gained via project-based learning (PBL) — a student-centered teaching approach that uses engaging, real-world applications and hands-on learning to help students build knowledge while strengthening critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In classrooms that use PBL, students often work together to answer curriculum-relevant questions and solve challenges, preparing them to become adept communicators and collaborators in their future lives and careers. Instead of end-of-unit tests, they are assessed through group or independent projects. For example, in a unit about environmental pollution, students might be asked to prepare and present a strategy for reducing pollutants in their community. Or, to learn about the Supreme Court, you might hold a mock hearing where students research and argue for or against one side of a historic case.

One of the best benefits of using PBAs is that you can vary the format depending on the subject, unit, skills involved, and learning objective. Examples of PBAs include:

• Presentations
• Labs and experiments
• Physical crafts and creations
• Written reports
• Classroom debates or mock trials
• Plays and performances
• Journals, blogs, or photo logs
• Videos or podcasts
• Plans, strategies, or campaigns

How Do Project-Based Assessments Differ from Traditional Assessments?

In PBL, teachers act as guides, supporting students as they define problems and work to ideate and test solutions. Instead of lecturing, teachers ask probing questions that directly engage students , ignite their creativity and critical thinking, and frame challenges in the proper contexts. And instead of using traditional assessment methods like tests and quizzes, teachers assess student learning by evaluating their projects. However, it’s important to recognize that PBAs are different from the projects teachers sometimes assign students after covering curriculum material in a traditional way. Unlike those lighter projects, a project-based assessment is the primary means for covering a unit.

In other words, students learn the material by completing a project, which may involve multiple phases and span several weeks. Assessments may include a combination of group collaboration and independent work and can even cover numerous subjects or curriculum areas. For projects with multiple steps, teachers might assess students at the end of each phase and on the final product.

PBAs differ from tests and quizzes, which can fall short in deciphering between actual knowledge and rote memorization. Instead, they (PBAs) help students build knowledge and challenge them to apply their new knowledge in meaningful ways. 

What Does the Research Say About Project-Based Assessments in Education?

While transitioning to PBL from traditional methods can take some getting used to, research shows it’s well worth the effort, boosting student engagement, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. In a study of middle school students , 7th and 8th graders taught via PBL displayed higher academic achievement in math and reading than non-PBL peers. And a 2020 study found that PBL techniques improve student engagement by supporting knowledge and information sharing and discussion. Additionally, a study of vocational high school students found that PBL increased problem-solving abilities and learning motivation, while a 2019 study published in the International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research found multidisciplinary integrated PBL improved critical thinking and collaboration skills.

PBL can also make learning more fun for students, potentially reducing stress — particularly for those with test anxiety — while helping them excel academically. In a 2023 study where students’ exams were replaced with PBAs, students not only received higher marks but also reported a better learning experience.

Excelling with PBAs in Your Classroom

We know what you’re probably thinking. “This sounds great in theory, but how do I successfully introduce PBAs into my classroom(s)?”

Here are a few recommendations:

• Don’t change too much too soon PBAs — and project-based learning in general — isn’t something you swap to overnight. Instead, it’s better to introduce the approach slowly, experiment with it, and tweak it over time. You might start by trying PBL for a unit on the solar system, switching out your usual lectures and end-unit test with a multi-week classroom project that covers the same standards. For example, Propello includes an earth/space science project in which students demonstrate their comprehension of geologic time, Earth’s history, and the formation of the solar system. The project also challenges students to use data collection and analysis to predict its future and build a 3D model.
• Set clear parameters Define your scope. For example, how many weeks will the project take? How many priority standards will the project cover? What criteria or rubric will you use to evaluate students’ projects? In Propello, each project lists how many class periods it will take and approximately how long each session will require so you can plan accordingly. For example, a Propello life science PBA on mapping inheritance should span 4 to 5 class periods of 45 minutes each. By setting clear expectations, you and your students can get accustomed to the new pace and way of learning.
• Make it your own Remember that PBAs won’t look the same for every classroom (or even every student) and will likely vary from year to year as you become more familiar with what works best. Fortunately, the flexible nature of project-based assessments makes it easy to build in modifications, learning accommodations , and differentiation. Some teachers even present students with a “menu” of projects so they can select the assessment that best aligns with their interests, skills, and how they learn.
• Leverage supportive tools One of the biggest challenges associated with project-based assessments in education is that it can be labor-intensive for teachers. Projects are often more complicated to evaluate than a multiple-choice test, and developing fresh ideas for assessments and ensuring projects include modifications for different learners requires a lot of time and mental bandwidth. This is where technology can help. Propello was designed by educators to provide teachers with customizable and flexible lesson planning for active learning approaches like PBL. With built-in assessment options and embedded scaffolding, you’ll have all the support you need to succeed while conserving your energy.

Interested in leveraging PBAs in your classroom but not sure where to start? Sign up for a free Propello account to access hundreds of customized activities and projects.

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Project-Based Assignments that Teachers Love

Now you just have to decide how to divide the class…

What do you get when you mix critical thinking, hands-on experiences and creative expression? A project! Project-based assignments are a great way to really solidify student understanding on a important topics—and they’re fun, too!  Here are ten teacher-recommended projects that we love for you to borrow, adapt and use in your classroom.

Fundamentals of Business Operations:

Have your students create their own 13-step business plan to product, market and sell a product of their choosing.  Talk about real world experience!

Tower, Tower, Don’t Fall Down:

Teach physics, architecture, and design while your students use sandwich picks and glue to create towers that can withstand various pressure points.

Food Webs & Food Chains:

Go graphic while you teach about food webs and food chains by having your kids make a graphic depiction of their chosen ecosystem.

Student Designed Gardens:

Take a step up from your standard schoolyard garden and make it a year-long project for teams of students to design, plant, grow, fertilize and harvest their own gardens.

DIY Avatars:

Have your students design their own digital representations of themselves using free design software and then utilize the avatars in your high-tech lessons throughout the year.

Weather or Not?: 

Weather chart?  Nah!  Go above and beyond by making rain gauges in your school yard and using them to predict rainfall, discuss drought and much more.

The Art of Chemistry: 

Have your student create unique works of art using their knowledge of chemistry along with white tiles, paint and metal oxides. Cross-curricular, beautiful and fun—all wrapped up in one easy project.

Science Olympiad:  

Hold a regular Olympic games that tests your kids skills in physics, biology, chemistry and more.

Rock Rodeo:

Collect rock samples from your environment and then pit each rock against the others, comparing color, strength, size and more.

Who Did It?: 

Create a crime scene and then have your student analyze the facts—including fingerprints, clues, evidence and even DNA—to figure out who did it.

What project-based assignments do you use in your classroom?

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Top 30 Mini Project Ideas For College Students [UPDATED]

By Srinithi Sankar

Aug 09, 2024 6 Min Read 148054 Views

(Last Updated)

Finding the right mini project for your UG & PG assignments is a tough battle , isn’t it? As a beginner just starting out in tech, you might feel overwhelmed by the project submissions and deadlines, but we’re here to make that easy for you.

This comprehensive guide with Mini-Project Ideas for college students will become your go-to handbook for all your project deadlines . This blog lists 30 tailored ideas for your college mini project, ranging from beginner to pro-level projects.

We’ve designed it in a way that the time and effort involved in project creation will be minimal . Do go through the entire blog so that you can find the project idea that best suits your specialization.

Table of contents

• The Top 30 Easy-to-Build Mini Project Ideas For Students
• Word Processors like Notepad or Notepad++
• Syntax Checker
• Code Indenter
• Simple Paint Application
• Library Management System
• Hospital Management System
• Code Editor
• Website for Business, Portfolio website, Website for your city
• Inventory System
• Mini Search Engine
• Resume Builder Software
• IRCTC Railway Booking System Clone
• GUI for Databases like MySQL, Oracle, MongoDB, etc.
• Build your own Linux Commands/ DOS Commands
• Mini Facebook/ Twitter
• Online Banking System
• Online Ticket Booking System
• Music Organizer
• Price Comparison Website
• Amazon/ Flipkart Clone
• YouTube Clone
• Matrimonial Website
• WYSIWYG HTML Editor
• Web Scraper
• Simple Chat Program
• Quiz Website
• Stack Overflow Clone
• Online Voting System
• Expense Tracker App/ Website
• Wrapping Up
• How do I select a mini-project topic?
• How do I find a good project topic?
• How do you make a mini project in college?
• What are the latest project topics?

The main objective of creating a mini project for college is to facilitate students to gain profound insights on the subject matter with practical knowledge .

Project creation helps evolve your creative thinking, analytical skills, and reasoning ability. These real-life projects will be the foundation for a successful career in the future. Let’s get started!

Before diving into the next section, ensure you’re solid on full-stack development essentials like front-end frameworks, back-end technologies, and database management. If you are looking for a detailed Full Stack Development career program, you can join GUVI’s Full Stack Development Career Program with Placement Assistance. You will be able to master the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js) and build real-life projects.

Additionally, if you want to explore JavaScript through a self-paced course, try GUVI’s JavaScript self-paced certification course.

1. Word Processors like Notepad or Notepad++

Creating a word processor like Notepad can handle characters and fonts from a pre-defined library. This mini project is very practical because as it is already a widely used software.

You can create a primary document with menus such as File, Edit, and Help.  You can develop this project using Python and JAVA.

2. Syntax Checker

You can build a simple syntax checker, a widely used application by students like you. Developing a syntax checker would require a good understanding of parsing techniques .

One would also need to create a complete description of the language parsed. 

3. Code Indenter

Another interesting mini project idea related to your study is code Indenter. Code Intenders are generally used to improve code readability and facilitate easy formatting .

Using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, one can build a code indenter to help format and indent the input code. You can introduce features like syntax highlighting and light and dark themes to make the indenter more professional and operational.

4. Simple Paint Application

Try to invent an Interactive Painting or drawing application with adequate drawing tools using Java or an API like Open GL or even HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

5. Library Management System

A Library Management System(LMS)  is a programmed software to organize books in the library in a way it is easy to access by the readers and the library itself. 

With the help of LMS, one can track the books available in store,  lost/ out-of-stock, books issued and returned, etc. The LMS streamlines the operational processes of a library.   

Creating a library management system is a popular project among college students. You can accomplish this mini project with SQL and a programming language like Java or Python . You create login provisions and profiles for each user to maintain the records in the database. 

6. Hospital Management System

 A hospital management system is a cloud-based system that facilitates managing the effective functioning of the hospital. When you create HMS software,  confirm you turn all paperwork functionalities into online services such as prescriptions, insurance details, treatment charges, and more. 

You should build respective databases, forms, and pages to manage all the information regarding patients, doctors, staff, Pharmacy, Lab, Billing, etc. You can follow HTML, CSS, JScript, ASP.Net, C#, and SQL Server to construct HMS for your project. 

7. Code Editor

Code Editor helps programmers develop codes in a streamlined manner. Creating a code editor requires basic knowledge of web development, i.e., HTML, CSS, and JavaScript .

Styling the editor, compiling the code, and representing the result can make it look like a complex project, but this isn’t true when you start exploring the learning part behind it.

8. Website for Business, Portfolio website, Website for your city 

You can build a highly-operational website for yourself, your business, and your city. It is a gratifying idea because you get a portfolio/your business site, and an academic project in one go . 

A simple website with several web pages and a navigation system can be a simple yet rewarding mini project for college students.

9. Inventory System

You can build an Inventory System application using PHP and MySQL . The steps involved include designing the database, setting up the phpGrid, and creating a user interface.

10. Mini Search Engine

You should include servers and content pages to enable the engine to index while creating a mini-search engine like Google.

This search engine should be programmed to perform parsing, crawling, indexing, and query-serving functions, and return the results on a result page .

11. Resume Builder Software

You can create resume builder software using web development tools, a PHP server, and MySQL . Ensure your software encrypts passwords, converts web pages into PDF formats, and secures the data. Also, incorporate a creative dimension to the User interface of the website. 

12. IRCTC Railway Booking System Clone

This mini-project idea is a simple replica of IRCTC, a railway booking system. This booking system will create and manage ticket reservations, display timings, routes, and availability, and generate PNR numbers for passengers.

13. GUI for Databases like MySQL, Oracle, MongoDB, etc.

One of the best ideas in this list is to build a user-friendly GUI for databases. It helps users access the underlying database efficiently. You can achieve this project using Python frameworks like pyQT or Tkinter .

14. Build your own Linux Commands/ DOS Commands

There are millions of commands we use in Linux. Have you ever thought of creating your commands? 

You need to have a good knowledge of Linux commands with their attributes to build this project. Try to focus on integrating Linux knowledge with scripting.  You can construct Linux commands by creating a bash script and making it executable.

15. Mini Facebook/ Twitter

You can build your social networking site or Facebook/Twitter clone for your Mini project. Creating a social networking website can be exciting and rewarding. These real-life-adjacent projects will help you identify an innovator within and develop similar useful apps or products in the future.  To execute this project, you need frontend and backend development, a clean UI with defined information architecture, a prototype , and an interface concept.

16. Online Banking System

Developing an admin-controlled banking system is a great idea. Equip users to create an account and carry out seamless transactions. You could construct an online banking system using PHP and MySQL .

17. Online Ticket Booking System

It is similar to the banking system project. You would require a database, a homepage, and modules for agents, administrators, and users to produce this fascinating mini project. Plus, you can define your frontend UI with the utmost creativity and usability to make your mini project stand out from the rest of the class. 

18. Music Organizer

Everyone loves Music. “Music organizer” is a solution project for our hassle-free music experience. Basically, you’ll be creating like a very mini-version of something like Spotify.

You could use Java programming to create a system that organizes digital music files. You can incorporate features such as filter, sort, and sync.

19. Price Comparison Website

A price comparison website should enable users to access price data from other websites and compare them for random products. In addition to web development, this project would require web scraping tools.

20. Amazon/ Flipkart Clone

Building Amazon/ Flipkart is similar to building a website. Since it is an e-commerce site, it involves creating an online store and a payment gateway . Using Python and Django is a popular way to build such a website, even if it is a professional need.

Want to learn in-depth concepts in Python to create a website like Flipkart? Learn Python in your language for free by signing up for GUVI’s comprehensive course today!

21. YouTube Clone

A YouTube clone is another impactful mini-project idea for you. When you create a YouTube clone application, allow users to update, convert, play videos, like, dislike, and comment, and generate thumbnails for the videos.

You can develop this clone successfully using your object-oriented programming skills.  

22. Matrimonial Website

You can build a matrimonial website using PHP . You can create a web portal to connect users and allow them to make impressive profiles. You can bring out your creativity in UI/UX to communicate the matches, chat features, etc.

23. WYSIWYG HTML Editor

WYSIWYG stands for what-you-see-is-what-you-get . Creating this document editor with HTML can be beginner-friendly and a last-hour mini project idea for college students.

Do you have to revisit the concepts of HTML to build this project? Sign up for this beginner-friendly HTML & CSS course that gives you globally recognized certifications and free access to gamified practice platforms (here, you can build your mini project for free). 

24. Web Scraper

Web scrapers are useful for mining and extracting data from the web, provided it occurs within the legal framework. Explore the most popular Python’s Beautiful Soup library for building a web scraper. 

25. Simple Chat Program

You can establish a simple chat room program using socket programming and multithreading concepts. You have to write both server-side and client-side scripts to achieve this mini-project . 

26. Quiz Website

A Quiz website revolves around a set frame with repetitive actions. So, it is very uncomplicated to build a quiz website. You can create your interactive quiz website using HTML, CSS, AngularJS, and Bootstrap .

27. Stack Overflow Clone

Stack Overflow is a popular online community for developers like you to learn, share​ ​their programming ​knowledge, and build their careers.

You can try a replica of this site with all its signature features for this mini-project. While Stack Overflow is not open source , you can reciprocate a Q&A website with discussion forums.

28. Online Voting System

You can create the need-of-the-hour online voting system using PHP and MySQL . You should include various modules, such as a voter module, a committee module, and an admin panel with a defined set of functions.

29. Expense Tracker App/ Website

The expense tracker website/app is similar to building any website or app. Specifically, this project requires a spreadsheet and budgeting features.

You can bring in visual and graphical illustrations such as graphs, pie charts, and other statistical representations to boost the user experience of the website/app.

30. A Chatbot

You can build a super-simple chatbot for your college’s mini-project. It can be designed for mobile and web. The project aims to understand the user intent in the queries and to give them more human answers.  

The basic functionality would be this: when a user enters a question in the system, the bot will analyze the keywords and generate an appropriate response specific to the user’s intent. 

Ensure you feed data on different topics such as art, science, psychology, food, entertainment, education, culture, travel, health, politics, and more. Since chatbots are a show-stunner in today’s world, this project would be an excellent choice for you.

Kickstart your Full Stack Development journey by enrolling in GUVI’s certified Full Stack Development Career Program with Placement Assistance where you will master the MERN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, React, Node.js) and build interesting real-life projects. This program is crafted by our team of experts to help you upskill and assist you in placements.

Alternatively, if you want to explore JavaScript through a self-paced course, try GUVI’s JavaScript self-paced course.

All the above mini-project ideas don’t just boost your scores in college but will also help you understand the infinite possibilities to practice real-life cases.

Remember that getting your hands on these projects helps enhance your technical, non-technical, and “problem-solving” skills and land a dream career in your respective fields.  

Are you looking for self-paced online courses on technical concepts & programming languages to help you build your next project?

1. How do I select a mini-project topic?

Choose a problem statement that needs a solution in real-life. Create a software/ website/ app or any related project to establish the solution for the objective. This way, you’ll have a structured approach to your mini project. Also, ensure that this project aligns with your future career goals. 

2. How do I find a good project topic?

Always choose a topic that interests you. Remember that this project will have an impact on your portfolio. So, choose a topic that will align with your career goals. 

3. How do you make a mini project in college?

Follow these steps to make mini project in college:

1. Find a simple topic that interests you 2. Draft a clear-cut plan before you start working on your project 3. List 3 potential topics and choose the one that fits your future career goals 4. Always have a backup project idea & plan ready.  5. Construct a business problem statement and provide a solution for it via your project

4. What are the latest project topics?

The following are the latest project topics & ideas: 1. Mini Search Engine 2. Sentiment Analysis system 3. Music organizer 4. Chatbot 5. Social media apps, read the article above to find many more!

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About the Author

Srinithi Sankar

I am a media graduate who found love in words. I started my content writing journey when I realized simple words build big brands. I’ve worked as a freelancer with multiple brands in different fields yet found my sweet spot in ed-tech. Now, I am a content writer bringing you a step closer to GUVI.

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16 Ideas for Student Projects Using Google Docs, Slides, and Forms

July 31, 2016

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As you probably know, Google Drive is far more than a place to store files online. It also includes a suite of versatile creation tools, many of which perform the same functions as the ones we use in other spaces. These include  Google Docs,  a word processing program that behaves similarly to Microsoft Word,  Google Slides,  a presentation program similar to PowerPoint, and  Google Forms,  a survey-creation tool similar to Survey Monkey.  Although Drive also includes other tools, these three are particularly useful for creating rigorous, academically robust projects. If your school uses Google Classroom or at least gives students access to Google Drive, your students are probably already using these tools to write papers or create slideshow presentations, but there are other projects they could be doing that you may not have thought of.

Below I have listed 16 great ideas for projects using Google Docs, Slides, and Forms.

Annotated Bibliography By the time a student reaches the later years of high school, and certainly by the time she’s gotten to college, it’s likely that she’ll be required to write an annotated bibliography, a list of resources that not only includes the bibliographical information of each source, but also a short paragraph summarizing the resource and reflecting on its usefulness for a given project. Usually an annotated bibliography is required as a part of a larger research paper, but it could stand alone as an assignment that tasks students with seeking out and evaluating sources just for the practice of doing so. And the research tools in Google Docs allow students to locate, read, and cite their sources all in one place. To learn more, see this guide from Cornell University Library on How to Prepare an Annotated Bibliography .

Book Review Instead of a book report, have students write a book review instead. This is certainly not a new idea, but publishing the work electronically allows students to enhance the final product with the book’s cover image, a link to the book’s page on Amazon, and even links to other titles the author has written or articles on related topics. For models and inspiration, elementary and middle school students can read student-written reviews on sites like Spaghetti Book Club . Older or advanced students might work toward more sophisticated, nuanced review styles like book reviews written on Oprah.com .

Collaborative Story Because Google Docs is cloud-based, multiple people can work on a Doc at the same time. So students can work together on a story, a script for a play, or any other kind of group writing project. They can use the comments feature to give each other feedback and make decisions together. And because students can work from any location with an Internet connection, collaboration isn’t restricted to school hours; each group member can work on the project from any location whenever they have time.

Media-Rich Research Paper Any kind of research paper can be given a big boost when done in a Google Doc, because students can insert images, drawings, and links to other relevant resources, like articles and videos. Using the research tools built into Docs, students can research their topics and include in-text citations with footnotes.

Super Simple Blog If you don’t want to mess with actual blogging platforms, but want students to be able to experience writing blog posts that contain images and hyperlinks to other websites, this could be accomplished easily in a single running Google Doc.

Table Being able to organize information visually is an important skill, and students who understand how to build a table in Google Docs will have a skill for presenting all kinds of information in the future. They can be used as a compare and contrast exercise, to display data from an experiment, or even put together a schedule. Yes, you could do these things yourself, print them, and have students fill them out, but why not have students practice creating the tables themselves? 

Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Story Because slides can contain hyperlinks to other slides, students could build a whole story where the reader chooses different options at key points in the story, leading them down completely different paths. The reader would consume the content as a slideshow, clicking on the links themselves as they go through. This could be a pretty massive undertaking, but we all know students who would be totally up for the challenge.

E-book These could take a variety of forms: mini-textbooks, children’s books, cookbooks or how-to manuals, personal art or writing portfolios, even yearbook-style memory books. To learn more about the possibilities, see my post from earlier this year on  Student E-Books .

Magazine Along the same lines as an e-book, students could use a similar template to create a PDF magazine or newsletter that is shared online on a regular schedule. The possibilities here are endless, useful for student clubs or sports teams, classroom or grade-level newsletters, or magazines put out by groups of students who share a common interest, like gaming systems, soccer, or books.

Museum Kiosk Imagine if we could enhance science fair projects with a looping video display that provides the audience with vivid visuals and text about our topic. Or imagine an art show, where a self-running informational slideshow could be placed beside an art display to share the story behind the piece and photos of the work in progress? This is possible and EASY in Google Slides: Simply create a slideshow, then use the “Publish to the Web” feature to create a slideshow that auto-advances and has no need for a presenter. Pop that up on an iPad or laptop and you’re all set. This mock-up of a slideshow on Coral Reefs shows you what it could look like (click the image to open in a new window).

Short Film Students can upload their own images and add text boxes to a slideshow to create an animated story, then record the slideshow with a Google extension called Screencastify . They can either record their own voice as narration, add background music, or both. There are so many different kinds of films students could produce: illustrated stories or poems, final reflections for a 20 Time or Genius Hour project, video textbooks on content-related topics, or news-like feature stories of school or community events. In this quick sample, I added music from YouTube’s library of royalty-free music that anyone can use to enhance their recordings:

Video Tutorial Using the same screencasting software mentioned above, students could also create their own video tutorials by creating a Slides presentation on their topic (such as “How to Open a Combination Lock”), then recording the slideshow with narration. This would make a nice final product for a unit on informational writing or a way for students to demonstrate their learning at the end of a unit in science (“How to Take Care of Lab Equipment”), social studies (“How to Measure Distance on a Map”), or math (“How to Multiply Fractions”). Student-made tutorials could even be created to teach classroom procedures. And any tutorials students make could be stored for later, so other students can also benefit from them.  Learn more about how Screencastify works right inside Chrome .

Peer Survey Whenever students need to gather data to support an argumentative essay or speech, let them gather data quickly and easily by creating a survey with Google Forms. Links to the survey can be sent out via email, QR codes , or through a post in a learning management system like Edmodo or Google Classroom. When results come in, students can use them to support whatever claim they are trying to make in their argument, or make adjustments based on what they discover in their research.

Feedback Form Have students provide feedback to each other’s presentations, speeches, even videos using Google Forms. Here’s how it would work: Each student creates her own form, asking for the kind of feedback she wants on the project. As other students view or the project, they can be sent to a form to offer praise or constructive criticism, which the creator would then be able to view privately and use to improve the project. Students could even use their feedback to write a reflection on their process after the project is done.

Quiz One great way to learn material is to create a test or quiz over the content. Have students use Google Forms to create their own multiple-choice, True/False, fill-in-the-blank, or open-ended quizzes on the content they are learning.

Visual Representation of Data Sets Whenever people enter responses to a Form, Google allows the form creator to view responses in charts and graphs. Have students gain a better understanding of how data can be represented visually by accepting responses (or entering their own fake ones) into a Form, then looking at how the numbers are represented in graphs. This could work well as a series of math lessons.

Way Beyond Worksheets

Just this morning on Twitter, someone posted a comment along these lines: “A worksheet on a Google Doc is STILL a worksheet. Students should be using tech to create!” I’ve heard this sentiment over and over, and it’s exactly why I’ve put this list together. Google offers some incredibly powerful tools if we know how to use them. I hope this list has given you a few new ideas to put into your students’ hands. ♦

What to Read Next

Categories: Instruction , Technology

Tags: assessment , content area literacy , English language arts , Grades 3-5 , Grades 6-8 , Grades 9-12 , project-based learning , teaching with tech , tech tools

51 Comments

This is wonderful.

This is my first year teaching in an alternative high school. All students have IEP’s as well as social and emotional disabilities. I really want to focus on literacy as many are well below grade-level, ability wise. Writing of course is a big part of literacy. I’m looking for ideas that they can collaborate on, via Google Docs, Slides, etc. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Check out Boomwriter: A Fun Twist on Collaborative Writing . Lots of good resources there that you might like. Also take a look at Student-Made E-Books: A Beautiful Way to Demonstrate Learning .

I am an RSP teacher in Anaheim. For summer school I am going to have them build a “Bucket List” in Google slides.

Thanks for compiling these resources. I use many already but haven’t tried Screencastify yet. My district uses Google Classroom, but the forms app is blocked on student accounts- I think because it’s a perfect medium for under-the-radar cyberbullying (“How much do you hate Linda?…A little, a lot, a ton…”). Before teachers plan a lesson using forms, they should make sure the feature is enabled for students in their district. In my district, students can access forms and create them but they cannot send them to other students.

Thanks, Robyn. Good to know!

I love these ideas! You are so creative and now I have GREAT ideas for my SS project! Thanks! XD

this is all true

Our district is allowing extra credit this year and I have always been totally opposed to offering extra credit. These ideas are worth extra credit, and my focus this year is on what the students can teach me and the rest of their peers.

This gave me some good ideas for culminating activities. Thanks!

Thank you so much for sharing these ideas about creating projects by using the Google Drive! The middle school I teach at implemented a 1:1 program last year with Chromebooks, so the students have easy access to all of the Google apps. I had always grown up using Word docs and I was a little hesitant to start using Google docs at first. After just a few weeks, I absolutely fell in love with it! It is amazing how you can access all of your docs, forms, slides that you create from any device you’re using and the fact that everything automatically saves is just the cherry on top. I am grateful for this feature, especially working in a middle school where it is easy for students to forget to save something before exiting out. Although I teach Math, I found a lot of your project ideas to be utilized cross-curriculum and I truly appreciate it. I got my feet wet last year and had my students create google slides presentations in groups. At the beginning of this year, I started with a google form I created where students answered review questions from 6th grade Math. I love that when you get the results from all of the forms, you can easily see which areas students are struggling in and which areas they are proficient in because it is presented the results in graphs and charts. I just learned recently that you can create quizzes now, which is awesome because all of the testing in my district is done on the computers, so this will help prepare my students. I want to borrow your idea of having students create peer surveys that they can post on Google classroom in order to gather information and analyze results. This is a great skill for students to have. Thanks again, I truly enjoy reading your blogs!

Be positive at all time

Great collection of resources! Easy to read and very helpful for teachers who often do not get the tutorials they need to instruct with GAFE. I particular like the Museum Kiosk idea. It will work great will my history classes.

– Kevin

Hi everyone! I also would like to suggest my own (free) templates site. Im designing these presentations using “free” resources from other sites such as FreePik, FlatIcon,… and I think the result is pretty good. I invite you to have a look. The site is https://slidesppt.com

In the section of student blog posts, can you clarify how all the students in one class could be writing and posting a running blog which everyone in the class can read and respond to ?

This is Holly Burcham, a Customer Experience Manager. The idea Jenn laid out here is to simply create a shared Google Doc where each student would basically be responsible for his/her own page (literally page 1, page 2, etc.). Within a shared Doc, everyone with permission can be in and typing at the same time. Once “posts” are written, students can go in and add comments to others’ work. The comments would show up in the margins and would be arranged by corresponding content, not time like a typical blog post.

But, as you can imagine, this could quickly become very convoluted and a bit messy. The thought behind using Docs as a student blog is more for writing practice, getting the feel for writing a blog post without doing the real thing…

So, if you’re interested in your students truly creating a blog, we highly recommend checking out Edublogs and Kidblog . Hope this helps!

How are these good for projects? you said that these are for kid presentations, all I see are essay templates and idea’s for teachers to map out their classroom jobs(other then the coral)

Hi, Isaac! I’m not sure what could be used to map out classroom jobs specifically from this post, and I think the ideas here go way beyond essay outlines–please get back to me to clarify exactly what you’re referring to, because we believe all the ideas here are good for student use. Thanks!

You might update this post. Google Forms now supports branching which would be much easier to create a “choose your own” adventure type experience.

Thanks for the suggestion. I can picture how that would work, yes, but I guess the aesthetic experience might be lacking in a Google Form. With Slides you have complete creative freedom to design the slides like a real book. I guess it would be a matter of personal preference?

Where do I go to find accessibility features of Google docs, slides, and forms? I am a teacher of the blind and visually impaired. This technology is wonderful but without the ability to navigate the site independently, my students are at a lost. Can you direct me?

Hi! A couple of things that may be of help: Go to “Tools” in the menu bar and select Voice Typing (use Google Chrome). You can also click on Add-Ons in the menu bar and add the Speech Recognition Soundwriter extension for free. Here’s a link to find more Google Accessibility features — you just have to spend a bit of time looking through the list to see what may be relevant to your needs. I hope this helps!

You can also combine Google forms and docs to simplify book reports for elementary students: https://electriceducator.blogspot.com/2016/03/elementary-book-report-machine.html?m=1

Is there an available rubric or assessment piece for the museum kiosk activity?

Hi Colleen! No, sorry, I don’t have anything on that!

Hi I am a teacher at a elementary school and I was wondering if you had any ideas for what I could do for an autobiography book report.

Hi Madison,

There really are so many things you can have the kids do — I would first think about what you’re expecting the kids to be able to do in the end. What will actually be assessed and what will they be accountable for? (I suggest checking out Understanding Backward Design if you haven’t already.) From there, they can choose how to present what they learned, meeting the assessment criteria. I think using some of the ideas in the Slides section of the post could work really well, especially Student Made E-Books , or making a short film.

Madison, I love the idea of using Google Slides for autobiography book report. I’m thinking about Jennifer’s Slides suggestions and just tailoring it to your book report criteria/rubric. Thoughts?

thank you very much!!

Thank you! I can’t wait to explore some of these options more. This list is very much appreciated! 🙂

I really appreciate your kindness and your efforts and I’m going to try everything you have mentioned in this wonderful article

Thanks. Higher Ed ESOL Prof -no lesson prep for me… but I DO have my reading list for the next several (10-12) hours! All suggestions added to the original post are appreciated.

I am a huge fan of Google resources, but you have showed me some new ways I can use these. Thank you for sharing!

Thanks for some great ideas! I have another suggestion that I have used before- my students really liked it- a collaborative Google Slides presentation. I did this for types of organic molecules as an intro to organic chemistry. Each pair of students in the class was assigned a specific molecule to research. They had to create 1 slide with some specific information and add to a collaborative google slides presentation that I shared on Google Classroom. When the slideshow was complete, they could all access it, and they used it to take notes.

Great suggestion Susan! Thanks so much for sharing this idea.

I am wondering if I can find similar google instructions to send to my students now that we are teaching remotely and 90% of them probably don’t know how to use Google. This would be a fantastic use of their time. Thank you

Take a look at Jenn’s Google Drive Basics video course ! I think it’s got what you’re looking for – it’s for teachers and students!

I am thinking about doing a Rap Challenge in which they (as teams based on which class period they are in) create lyrics using WWII vocabulary we have used.

I create raps for my students and my though was that I would take parts of ALL of their submissions and create a WWII rap to add to the collection they have heard already.

Which of the Google Drive features would be my best bet for collaboration like that while the students are all working from home?

Hi Jim! I think this could be done in Google Docs pretty easily, as they are just writing a script, correct? If you want to share video or audio, you can just put these files into a shared folder in Drive and give all students access to those files. I hope this helps!

Amazing ideas

An innovative way to eliminate paper.

Hi! I love this site. I am beginning to use technology in my higehr education classroom. Could you help me to suggest some kind of game to use in Communication Skilss? Thanks a lot

Hi! Check out our Gamification Pinterest board and see what might be relevant. Hope this helps!

I’m a college student (who is now a nanny which brought me to this page) and for the screen recording, I highly reccomend Loom over Screencastify. In my experience using both during the remote learning period, the video quality is much higher on Loom, the user interface is easier, and you can’t edit Screencastify videos in an external editor like iMovie. (I had to do a group presentation and since partner lived in Kuwait we used this vs Zoom, etc. to record the presentation since we weren’t recording at the same time. It was very difficult to figure out how to merge our parts of the presentation into a single file.)

Also with screencastify the time limit per video on the free version (5 min I think) was frustrating as my work was longer. May not be a problem for students but for educators using the tool who don’t have the premium, this could be highly inconvenient. With Loom there isn’t a time limit.

What an adventure for me, who’s relatively new to this google drive thing. Mind blowing resources. It’s amazing. I’m excited as to what I can do with and in google drive. I’m definitely taking it one day at a time, will surely enjoy this ‘CRUISE’. Thank you Jennifer.

What does it mean to type I am from Germany?

Hi Flannery! It can mean a few different things depending on the context–either typing on a keyboard or the “kind” of something (“What type of ice cream do you like?”). We’d love to give a specific answer, so please let us know which part of the post or which comment you saw that you’d like more clarification on. Thanks!

Thanks for sharing these ideas. July 2021

I love all the awesome ways to incorporate technology in the classroom. This post had so many options to choose from and some that I personally loved when I was in school. There are so many different ways to make learning fun with technology!

So glad you enjoyed the post!

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Interdisciplinary Projects

Embedding a block?

An interdisciplinary project is a form of project-based education designed to actively engage students and integrate knowledge from various disciplines. At its core, the project involves a complex problem that requires teamwork and the integration of knowledge from various disciplines to solve it. Usually, interdisciplinary projects are tackled by a diverse group of students, each hailing from different disciplines. However, it's also conceivable for a group of students with similar backgrounds to blend various perspectives into their work (Mac Leod et al., 2020).

“As such, students need to find some common ground and perceive the added value in each other’s skills which is necessary for multidisciplinary teams to feel that together they can do more than by an approach based on just one discipline. The challenge is to create a project design which facilitates this.” (MacLeod 2020)

You can use an interdisciplinary project to (Koch, 2016):

• Help students gain insight into the knowledge and methodology of their own discipline and the profile of other disciplines;
• Support students in developing communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, as well as self-organisation, responsibility, and an appreciation for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Koch's research (2016) indicates that interdisciplinary projects provide (first-year) students with valuable experiences related to their own competence, engagement, and autonomy, leading to increased academic commitment and interest. Consequently, this approach contributes to the development of students' Disciplinary Future Self . Furthermore, this method is highly suitable for addressing sustainability by selecting wicked problems as the subject of interdisciplinary projects.

Formulating the assignment

Construct challenging, complex, interdisciplinary, open-ended tasks that are relevant to social, global, or everyday issues in such a way that:

• specialised knowledge from all involved disciplines (approximately equally) is required to solve it;
• the problem can be dissected into disciplinary tasks that can subsequently be reintegrated;
• the problem can be addressed using knowledge and skills from previous assignments and components of the study programme (resulting in a relatively small set of choices).

Integrate the following steps for students into the assignment

• Seek a common ground : common ideas, goals, and theories, and a shared understanding of the issue.
• Explore, analyse discipline-relevant information regarding the issue, summarise, and share it with team members.
• Develop a common language and terminology to prevent misunderstandings.
• Design sub-tasks that are not only discipline-based but also based on interest and experience. Occasionally switch roles.
• Combine disciplinary knowledge to discover connections between the disciplines and achieve integration through new insights, creating intermediate products, etc., in a way that would not be possible through a monodisciplinary approach.
• Ensure that all team members make an equal contribution to the final product .

Support and guidance

For the guidance and support of students, you can draw inspiration from these considerations regarding group work , with a particular focus on aspects that enhance its interdisciplinary nature.

• Ensure that there is enough time in the project setup for students to get to know their group members, exchange ideas and perspectives, negotiate a common ground, and initiate new solutions.
• Create a safe learning environment.
• Explain to students how they should interact within the team and emphasize the values and rules that are important (equality, fairness, responsibility, positive relationships).
• Reward students not only for results but also for efforts.
• Allocate time to discuss the process and clarify that this process is crucial for achieving truly interdisciplinary work (importance of reflection). Provide feedback, especially regarding the search for connections between disciplines.
• Highlight the importance of communication with and consultation of team members.   
• Arrange meetings with the team and model how they should approach these meetings (through questions about disciplinary backgrounds, expectations, interests, stereotypes within the disciplines, etc.).
• Use discussions in class to facilitate peer communication through concrete assignments.
• Teach students how to handle conflicts, making it clear to distinguish between personal and disciplinary conflicts. If necessary, involve a professional mediator in team meetings.
• Provide instructions for seeking common ground
• Analyse the relevant disciplines related to a particular problem.
• Have students visualise the connections in a progress report.
• Achieve integration through new insights obtained by linking the disciplines.
• Establish sufficient yet achievable support structures (Interdisciplinary team of teaching staff, helpdesk, website), and also focus on peer relationships (e.g., through Peer Assisted Learning with upperclassmen). Place responsibility on students for organisation and team processes while maintaining a balance with the established support.

For summative assessments you can consider the following methods:

• (Oral) presentation
• Design/product
• Process assessment

  Infrastructure

Are you organising an interdisciplinary project for a course in which some students are participating remotely? If so, find out through the applicable teaching method which technology in the classroom is suitable for this purpose. Depending on the classroom in which your teaching activity takes place, choose a scenario that describes step by step how to proceed. You can find more information on this on the support page for technology in the classrooms.

Click through to the tools you can use for interdisciplinary projects in an online context: There are a variety of tools and materials you can use in the different stages of group work in a blended context.

 Want to know more? 

Want to learn more about interdisciplinary projects? The button below takes you to a reading list with recent scientific literature.

Go to the reading list

These web pages might contain useful information:

• Flipped classroom
• Group work in a blended context
• Interdisciplinary education (Dutch)
• Knowledge clips on group work for students (Dutch)  
• Tools, materials and rooms for group work in a blended context

Inspiring examples

Currently only available in Dutch.

Top 50 HR Topics For Project For Students [Updated]

Human Resources (HR) is a fascinating and essential field in any organization. If you’re a student and need to work on a project related to HR, this guide will help you understand various topics and ideas you can explore. Let’s dive into some interesting HR topics for projects.

What is Human Resources?

Table of Contents

Human Resources, commonly known as HR, is a department in organizations responsible for managing people. HR professionals handle recruitment, training, employee relations, benefits, and compliance with labor laws.

They play a crucial role in ensuring that a company runs smoothly and that employees are happy and productive.

How Do I Start An HR Project?

Starting an HR project involves several key steps to ensure it’s well-planned and executed effectively. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get started:

1. Choose a Topic

Identify your area of interest.

Select an HR topic that interests you. Consider areas where you have some background knowledge or a strong curiosity.

Research Potential Topics

Look for current trends in HR, read articles, and talk to professionals to gather ideas. Make a list of potential topics.

Narrow Down Your Topic

Pick a particular part of the topic that you can handle within the limits of your project. Make sure it’s not too wide or too narrow.

2. Define the Project Objectives

Set clear goals.

Determine what you want to achieve with your project. Your objectives should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).

Understand the Purpose

Consider why this project is important. What problem are you trying to solve or what knowledge are you aiming to gain?

3. Conduct Preliminary Research

Gather information.

Read books, articles, and research papers related to your topic. Use credible sources such as academic journals, HR websites, and industry reports.

Identify Key Concepts

Note down important concepts, theories, and case studies that relate to your topic. This will form the foundation of your project.

4. Develop a Project Plan

Create a timeline.

Break down the project into smaller tasks and set deadlines for each. This helps in managing your time effectively.

Outline Your Project Structure

Plan the structure of your project. A typical structure includes:

Introduction

Literature review, methodology.

• Findings/Results

Recommendations

5. gather data, primary data collection.

If your project involves collecting primary data, decide on the methods (e.g., surveys, interviews, observations). Prepare your data collection tools like questionnaires or interview guides.

Secondary Data Collection

Use existing data from reliable sources. Ensure you properly cite these sources in your project.

6. Analyze the Data

Organize your data.

Arrange your data in a systematic way for analysis. Use tables, charts, or software tools to help with this process.

Interpret the Results

Study the data to find patterns, trends, and important information. Connect what you discover with what others have already studied and with the goals of your project.

7. Write the Project Report

Provide background information on your topic and state the objectives of your project.

Summarize existing research related to your topic. Highlight gaps that your project aims to fill.

Describe the methods you used to collect and analyze data. Include details about your sample, tools, and procedures.

Analysis and Findings

Present your data analysis and discuss the findings. Use visuals like graphs and tables to support your points.

Summarize your findings and their implications. Explain how they add to what we already know.

Provide practical recommendations based on your findings. Suggest further areas for research.

List all the sources you cited in your project. Use a consistent citation style.

8. Review and Edit

Proofread your work.

Check for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and consistency in formatting.

Seek Feedback

Share your draft with teachers, peers, or mentors for feedback. Make necessary revisions based on their suggestions.

Finalize the Report

Ensure all sections are complete and well-organized. Confirm that your report meets all the requirements and guidelines provided.

9. Prepare for Presentation

Create a presentation.

Prepare a presentation summarizing the key points of your project. Use visuals like slides, charts, and diagrams to make it engaging.

Practice Your Presentation

Rehearse your presentation multiple times. Get ready to respond to questions asked by your audience.

10. Submit Your Project

Follow submission guidelines.

Ensure you adhere to any submission guidelines provided by your teacher or institution.

Meet Deadlines

Submit your project on time. Double-check that all required materials are included.

50 HR Topics For Project For Students: Category Wise

Recruitment and selection.

• Effective Recruitment Strategies for Startups
• The Role of Social Media in Recruitment
• Artificial Intelligence in Talent Acquisition
• Campus Recruitment: Best Practices
• Diversity Hiring: Challenges and Solutions
• Employee Referral Programs: Benefits and Drawbacks
• The Impact of Employer Branding on Recruitment
• Virtual Interviews: Techniques and Tools
• The Role of Psychometric Testing in Selection
• Onboarding Processes for New Employees

Training and Development

• Designing Effective Training Programs
• The Impact of E-Learning on Employee Training
• Training Needs Analysis: Methods and Tools
• Soft Skills Training: Importance and Methods
• Mentorship Programs in the Workplace
• The Role of Continuous Learning in Career Development
• Measuring Training Effectiveness
• Leadership Development Programs
• Technical Skills Training in IT Companies
• The Use of Virtual Reality in Employee Training

Performance Management

• Implementing 360-Degree Feedback
• Setting SMART Goals for Employee Performance
• The Role of Performance Appraisals in Employee Motivation
• Using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Employee Recognition Programs
• Managing Underperformance: Strategies and Techniques
• The Impact of Performance Reviews on Employee Morale
• Linking Performance Management to Compensation
• Real-Time Performance Tracking Tools
• The Role of Self-Assessment in Performance Management

Employee Relations

• Building Positive Employee Relations
• Conflict Resolution in the Workplace
• The Impact of Corporate Culture on Employee Relations
• Employee Engagement Strategies
• The Role of Communication in Employee Relations
• Handling Employee Grievances Effectively
• Work-Life Balance Initiatives
• Employee Feedback Mechanisms
• Team Building Activities and Their Impact
• Managing Workplace Stress

Compensation and Benefits

• Designing Competitive Compensation Packages
• The Role of Benefits in Employee Retention
• Health and Wellness Programs in the Workplace
• Pay Equity and Its Importance
• The Impact of Financial Incentives on Performance
• Flexible Benefits Plans
• Retirement Planning and Benefits
• Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)
• The Role of Bonuses and Commissions
• Trends in Employee Benefits Packages

Best 3 Detailed Examples of HR Projects

Example 1: creating a recruitment plan.

• Understand the Job Requirements

Identify the job roles that need to be filled and understand the skills required for these positions.

• Attract Candidates

Decide how to attract potential candidates. This could be through job postings, campus recruitment, or social media.

• Screening and Selection

Design a process to screen applications and select the best candidates for interviews.

• Interview Process

Develop a set of interview questions and a scoring system to evaluate candidates fairly.

Example 2: Designing a Training Program

• Identify Training Needs

Conduct a survey or interview employees to understand what training they need.

• Set Training Objectives

Define what the training program should achieve. For example, improving customer service skills.

• Develop Training Materials

Create materials such as presentations, handouts, and quizzes.

• Implement the Training

Organize training sessions, either in-person or online.

• Evaluate the Training

Collect feedback from participants to see if the training was effective.

Example 3: Performance Review System

• Define Performance Criteria

Identify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for different job roles.

• Develop Review Forms

Create forms that managers can use to evaluate employee performance.

• Schedule Regular Reviews

Set up a schedule for regular performance reviews, such as quarterly or annually.

• Provide Feedback

Train managers on how to give constructive feedback to employees.

Work with employees to set achievable goals for their development.

Tips for Successful HR Projects

• Research Thoroughly: Gather information from various sources like books, articles, and interviews with HR professionals.
• Be Creative: Try to think creatively and come up with new and original ideas and solutions.
• Stay Organized: Keep your project well-organized with clear headings, subheadings, and bullet points.
• Use Real-Life Examples: Incorporate real-life examples to make your project more relatable and interesting.
• Seek Feedback: Ask teachers or peers for feedback to improve your project before the final submission.

Top 5 Tools To Make HR Project

• Microsoft Excel: For organizing data, creating charts, and performing basic data analysis.
• Google Forms: For designing and distributing surveys to collect primary data.
• Trello: For project management and keeping track of tasks and deadlines.
• SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences): For advanced statistical analysis of data.
• Canva: For creating visually appealing presentations and infographics.

Human Resources is a dynamic field with numerous topics that you can explore for your project. Whether it’s recruitment, training, performance management, or employee relations, there are plenty of interesting areas to research and present.

By following the tips and examples provided in this guide on HR topics for projects, you’ll be well on your way to creating an outstanding HR project.

Good luck with your HR project, and remember to have fun while learning about this important field!

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111+ Best Research Methodology Project Topics for Students

Research methodology is the process of how we do research in academic studies, like how we ask questions and gather information. 

It’s like a roadmap that guides us through the research journey. A strong research methodology is essential because it helps students conduct their studies effectively, ensuring that their findings are reliable and valuable. 

This blog aims to help students, researchers, and teachers find interesting project ideas across different subjects by providing a curated list of research topics and guiding them on how to approach their research effectively. We want to make the process of choosing and conducting research projects easier and more enjoyable for everyone involved. 

Let’s dive into the world of research methodology project topics and explore the possibilities together!

What is the Research Methodology?

Table of Contents

Research methodology refers to the systematic process of planning, conducting, and analyzing research studies. 

It involves the techniques, procedures, and approaches used to gather, interpret, and evaluate data in order to answer research questions or test hypotheses. 

Research methodology encompasses various methods, such as experiments, surveys, interviews, observations, and literature reviews, among others. 

It provides a structured framework for researchers to ensure the reliability, validity, and ethical integrity of their studies, ultimately leading to credible and meaningful research outcomes. 

In essence, research methodology is the roadmap that guides researchers through the entire research process, from formulating research questions to drawing conclusions based on empirical evidence.

Importance of Research Methodology Project Topics in Academia

Here are the key points highlighting the importance of research methodology project topics in academia:

1. Hands-on Learning Experience

Engaging in research projects allows students to apply theoretical concepts learned in the classroom to real-world scenarios, enhancing their understanding and retention of course material.

2. Development of Critical Skills

Research methodology projects help students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills as they design studies, collect and analyze data, and draw conclusions based on evidence.

3. Contribution to Knowledge

By conducting research, students contribute to the advancement of knowledge within their respective fields, uncovering new insights, perspectives, and solutions to existing problems.

4. Promotion of Innovation

Research projects often lead to the discovery of new ideas or approaches, fostering innovation and creativity within academia and beyond.

5. Exploration of Interests

Research methodology project topics allow students to explore topics of personal interest, fostering a sense of curiosity and passion for learning.

6. Preparation for Future Careers

Engaging in research projects prepares students for future academic or professional endeavors by providing them with valuable research experience and skills highly sought after in various industries.

7. Enhancement of Academic Profile

Research projects can enhance students’ academic profiles by providing evidence of their research capabilities, potentially leading to opportunities for scholarships, internships, or graduate studies.

Interesting Research Methodology Project Topics for Students

Here are some interesting research methodology project topics for students across various disciplines:

Social Sciences

• Impact of social media on mental health among adolescents
• Gender inequality in the workplace: A comparative analysis
• Effects of globalization on cultural diversity
• The role of family structure in child development outcomes
• Political polarization and its implications for democracy
• Factors influencing voter turnout in elections
• Social determinants of health disparities among minority populations
• Impact of immigration policies on host countries’ economies
• Social stigma associated with mental illness: A cross-cultural perspective
• Community policing and its effectiveness in reducing crime rates
• Social media activism and its impact on social movements
• Cultural perceptions of beauty and body image across different societies
• The effectiveness of online learning platforms in higher education
• Factors influencing student engagement in STEM education
• Impact of parental involvement on children’s academic achievement
• Strategies for promoting inclusive education for students with disabilities
• The role of technology in transforming classroom learning experiences
• Cross-cultural differences in teaching methodologies and learning outcomes
• Assessment methods for measuring student learning outcomes
• School bullying prevention strategies: A comparative analysis
• Effects of standardized testing on curriculum design and instruction
• Teacher professional development and its impact on student achievement
• Multilingual education and its benefits for language acquisition
• Education policies and their influence on educational equity and access
• The relationship between personality traits and academic performance
• Effects of early childhood trauma on adult mental health outcomes
• Cognitive biases and decision-making processes in individuals
• Psychological factors influencing consumer behavior and marketing strategies
• The impact of social support on coping mechanisms for stress
• Cross-cultural differences in emotional expression and regulation
• Psychological effects of social isolation and loneliness
• Mental health stigma and its impact on help-seeking behaviors
• The role of mindfulness practices in promoting well-being
• Psychological effects of social media use on self-esteem and body image
• Attachment styles and their influence on romantic relationships
• Psychological interventions for managing anxiety and depression

Health Sciences

• Factors influencing healthcare disparities among marginalized communities
• The effectiveness of telemedicine in improving access to healthcare services
• Impact of lifestyle interventions on chronic disease prevention
• Barriers to healthcare access for undocumented immigrants
• The role of genetics in personalized medicine approaches
• Mental health implications of the COVID-19 pandemic
• Healthcare provider-patient communication and its impact on treatment adherence
• Strategies for promoting healthy aging and longevity
• Environmental factors influencing public health outcomes
• Access to reproductive healthcare services: A global perspective
• Healthcare workforce diversity and its implications for patient care
• The intersection of mental health and chronic illness management

Environmental Sciences

• Impact of climate change on biodiversity conservation efforts
• Sustainable agriculture practices for food security in developing countries
• Effects of pollution on aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity
• Renewable energy sources and their potential for mitigating climate change
• Urbanization and its effects on air quality and public health
• The role of ecosystem services in human well-being
• Environmental justice and its implications for marginalized communities
• Conservation strategies for endangered species preservation
• Waste management solutions for reducing environmental pollution
• Effects of deforestation on local and global climate patterns
• Environmental impacts of industrialization and urban development
• The importance of environmental education in promoting sustainability

Business and Economics

• Impact of corporate social responsibility on consumer behavior
• Factors influencing entrepreneurial success in emerging markets
• Effects of globalization on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• Economic implications of automation and artificial intelligence
• The role of government policies in promoting economic development
• Financial literacy and its impact on personal financial management
• International trade agreements and their effects on global economies
• Strategies for reducing income inequality and poverty
• The gig economy: Challenges and opportunities for workers
• Corporate governance practices and their impact on firm performance
• Economic impacts of natural disasters and pandemics
• The role of central banks in managing inflation and monetary policy

Technology and Computing

• Ethical considerations in artificial intelligence and machine learning
• Cybersecurity threats and countermeasures in the digital age
• The impact of social media algorithms on information dissemination
• Trends in wearable technology and their implications for healthcare
• Big data analytics and its applications in business decision-making
• The future of autonomous vehicles: Challenges and opportunities
• Internet of Things (IoT) applications for smart cities
• Accessibility considerations in software design and development
• Green computing: Strategies for reducing energy consumption in IT
• Digital divide: Addressing disparities in internet access
• Blockchain technology and its potential for revolutionizing industries
• Human-computer interaction design principles for user-friendly interfaces

Arts and Humanities

• Cultural representations of gender and sexuality in literature and media
• The evolution of artistic movements and their socio-cultural impacts
• Preservation of cultural heritage sites in the face of urbanization
• The role of music therapy in mental health treatment
• Ethical considerations in documentary filmmaking
• Digital humanities: Exploring new avenues for scholarly research
• Cultural appropriation versus cultural appreciation in the arts
• The influence of religion on artistic expression throughout history
• Intersectionality in feminist literature and activism
• Indigenous knowledge systems and their contributions to sustainable development
• Cultural diplomacy and its role in international relations
• Representations of race and ethnicity in contemporary art forms

Science and Engineering

• Advancements in renewable energy technologies for sustainable development
• The role of nanotechnology in biomedical applications
• Artificial intelligence in drug discovery and development
• Biologically inspired engineering solutions for environmental challenges
• Space exploration: Challenges and opportunities for scientific discovery
• Innovations in materials science and their impact on industry
• The future of 3D printing: Implications for manufacturing and design
• Engineering solutions for mitigating natural disasters
• Sustainable transportation systems
• Biomedical engineering advancements in prosthetics and medical devices
• Green chemistry approaches for sustainable manufacturing processes
• Robotics and automation in enhancing workplace productivity and safety

Communication and Media Studies

• Effects of media portrayals on body image and self-esteem
• The role of social media influencers in shaping consumer behavior
• Media literacy education: Empowering critical thinking skills in the digital age
• Representation of marginalized communities in mainstream media
• The impact of fake news and misinformation on public discourse
• Cross-cultural communication challenges in a globalized world
• The evolution of advertising strategies in response to technological advancements
• Media censorship and freedom of expression: Balancing competing interests
• Journalism ethics in the era of citizen journalism and social media
• The influence of celebrity endorsements on brand perception and consumer behavior
• Media coverage of political events and its impact on public opinion
• The future of media consumption: Trends in streaming services and digital platforms

These research methodology project topics cover a wide range of disciplines and provide ample opportunities for students to explore, research, and contribute to their respective fields of study.

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Research Methodology Project Topic

When selecting a research methodology project topic, several factors should be taken into consideration to ensure a successful and meaningful research endeavor. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Interest and Passion: Choose a topic that genuinely interests you and aligns with your passions. Research projects require dedication and perseverance, so selecting a topic that you are enthusiastic about will keep you motivated throughout the process.
• Relevance: Ensure that your chosen topic is relevant to your field of study, academic program, or career goals. Consider current trends, pressing issues, or gaps in the existing literature that your research can address.
• Feasibility: Assess the feasibility of your research topic in terms of available resources, time constraints, and access to data or participants. Ensure that your chosen topic is realistic and manageable within the scope of your research project.
• Originality: Aim for originality in your research topic by exploring new perspectives, innovative methodologies, or unexplored areas within your field. Avoid topics that have been extensively researched unless you can offer a unique angle or contribution.
• Scope: Define the scope of your research topic to ensure that it is neither too broad nor too narrow. A well-defined scope will help you focus your research efforts and produce more meaningful results within the constraints of your project.
• Research Question: Formulate a clear and concise research question that guides your investigation and provides a framework for your research methodology. Your research question should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
• Methodological Approach: Consider the most appropriate research methodology or approach for investigating your research question. Depending on your topic, qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods approaches may be suitable. Choose a methodology that aligns with your research objectives and data collection needs.
• Ethical Considerations: Take into account ethical considerations relevant to your research topic, including informed consent, confidentiality, privacy, and potential risks to participants. Ensure that your research adheres to ethical guidelines and regulations set forth by your institution or professional associations.
• Practical Significance: Assess the practical significance of your research topic by considering its potential impact on theory, practice, policy, or society. Aim to produce research findings that have relevance and applicability beyond academic circles.
• Support and Guidance: Seek support and guidance from mentors, advisors, or peers when selecting your research topic. Consult with experts in your field for feedback, suggestions, and advice to help refine your topic and ensure its suitability for your research project.

Research methodology project topics are pivotal in academia, offering students avenues for exploration, learning, and contribution to knowledge. Through careful selection and consideration of factors such as relevance, feasibility, and originality, students can embark on research endeavors that not only deepen their understanding of their chosen field but also foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 

By addressing pressing issues, exploring new perspectives, and adhering to ethical guidelines, research projects become catalysts for intellectual growth and innovation. 

Ultimately, research methodology project topics serve as vehicles for academic inquiry, shaping the future of scholarship and empowering students to make meaningful contributions to their disciplines.

1. What are some tips for narrowing down my topic?

Aim for specificity and feasibility. Consider the scope of your project and the resources available to you. Choose a topic that is both manageable and significant within your discipline.

2. What are some common ethical considerations in research methodology projects?

Ethical considerations include obtaining informed consent from participants, ensuring participant confidentiality, and obtaining approval from institutional review boards (IRBs).

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