PBL Examples of Science Lesson Ideas

The JASON Project

In my last blog post, I provided links to dozens of  PBL math projects.  Today I'll provide links to PBL science lessons.  Again, there are many sources of ideas.  This list, of course, is not all-inclusive.  But the objective is to make it easier to find a project.

As with math, the projects are often cross-curricular and incorporate STEM - science, technology, engineering and math.  For more background, read my post on Project Based Learning Lesson Plans.  Projects at some websites, such as iEARN, ePals, and CIESE, involve collaboration with other classes around the country or around the world.

**  Free registration is required to obtain project details at: CASES Online, PBL Online, ePals, and Take Action Curriculum.

Earth Sciences

CIESE - Environmental projects - water, soil, sun - 6 projects - grades 1-12
** CASES Online - Earth Science - 24 projects - grades 6-12
** CASES Online - Environmental Science - 10 projects - grades 9-12
** ePals - Collaboration with other Schools - 5 projects - grades 1-8
JASON Project - Earth and Environment - 4 projects - grades 6-8
My Science Box - Ecology Box - ecosystems, habitat, water & soil - grades 3-12
My Science Box - Geology Box - 19 projects - grades 3-12
My Science Box - Watersheds Box - watersheds, wetlands, bay - grades 3-12
My Science Box - Plate Tectonics Box - grades K-12
** PBL Online - Down the Drain - water cycle, environment - grades 9-12
** PBL Online - Am I Too Hot for You? - climate change debate - grades 9-12

Life Sciences

CIESE - Human Genetics - on-line collaboration  until June 2011 - grades 6-12
** CASES Online - Anatomy/Physiology - 14 projects - grades 9-12
** CASES Online - Biology - 51 projects - grades 9-12
** CASES Online - Health Science - 11 projects - grades 6-12
** CASES Online - Life Science - 19 projects - grades 6-12
** CASES Online - Microbiology - 3 projects - grades 9-12
High Tech High - San Diego Bay Field Guide - better stewards of bay - grade 11
My Science Box - Genetics & Evolution Box -  grades K-12
My Science Box - Physiology Box - biology, plants, animals - grades K-12
** PBL Online - Hard Body, Perfect Brain - physiology, drugs - grades 9-12
Project Approach - Project Examples - bugs, animals, health - preK-K
Project Approach - Project  Examples - trees, health - grades 1-4
Salvadori Center - Your Body, A Building - grades 1-5

Space Sciences

NASA - Outreach Projects - 11 projects - grades 3-12
** PBL Online - One World, One Home - solar system, Earth - grades 9-12

Chemistry

** CASES Online - Chemistry - 42 projects - grades 6-12
High Tech High - Drug Movie - impact of drugs on people & society - grade 10
Teach 21 - Chemistry Projects - 2 projects - grades 9-12

Engineering & Architecture

• CIESE - Engineering projects - some have real-time collaboration & start in Feb - 16 projects - grades preK-12 
• F.L. Wright Preservation Trust - Architect Studio 3D - grades 7-12
• High Tech High - This New House - design environmentally friendly home - grades 9-12
• High Tech High - Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? - construct an electrical product - grade 9
• Salvadori Center - Science Curriculum - building systems - grades K-5

Physics

** CASES Online - Physics - 40 projects - grades 9-12
Teach 21 - Physics Projects - 3 projects - grades 9-12
APlusPhysics - Physics Projects - 6 projects - grades 9-12

Physical Science

** CASES Online - Physical Science - 21 projects - grades 6-12
HOO - Hands-on Optics - lasers, light, magnification - grade 1-8
Project 21 - Physical Science - 5 projects - grades 6-12

Technology

** CASES Online - Science, Technology & Society - 1 project - grades 9-12
High Tech High - Today's Machines - ancient technologies - grades 9-12
Indiana U. - Molecules Matter - applied nanoscience - grades 9-12

Other

** CASES Online - Scientific Method - 4 projects - grades 6-12
Intel PBL - All sciences - 45 projects - grades 3-12
iEARN - Science projects - mostly environmental - 11 projects - grades K-12
** PBL Online - Science projects - 27 projects - K-12
** Take Action Curriculum - Take Action Science Projects - grades 6-12
Teach 21 - All sciences by grade level - 32 projects - grades K-12


For a more complete listing of websites with PBL background, advice, lesson plan templates, and assessment and evaluation tools, look at the LearningReviews.com Project Based Learning directory.