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Teaching a PBL Unit on Water Transformed Our Students’ Learning

This post is transcribed from an interview with educators Debbie Holman and Nicole Orswell. Next year we’ll be teaching in a new middle-high school designed to encourage project-based learning (PBL). So, when given the opportunity to run a small PBL cohort this year, we thought: Why not give it a try? Let’s dip our toes in and share what we learn with the rest of … Continue reading Teaching a PBL Unit on Water Transformed Our Students’ Learning

Educator Spotlight: Channeling Curiosity to Teach Natural Phenomena

Sonia Saunders taught her fifth-graders how plants and animals obtain energy by presenting students with three “phenomena.” Through research, creativity, and collaboration, students were able to better understand Earth’s natural processes and see themselves as part of a larger ecosystem. Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Channeling Curiosity to Teach Natural Phenomena

Educator Spotlight: Spreading Awareness for Water Issues through Art

Cathie Pearson designed a project called H2O Heroes in which her students made art out of recycled plastic products to raise awareness for ocean pollution. After learning about how water quality varies around the world, her students decided to continue the lesson with a fundraiser for the Water Project. Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Spreading Awareness for Water Issues through Art

Michigan OKs Nestlé’s Water Extraction Plan

UNITED STATES Considering Michiganders’ ongoing water woes, Nestlé’s request to pump 576,000 gallons of water each day from the Great Lakes Basin was highly controversial. But despite deep public opposition, the state concluded that the company’s plan met with legal standards. (Detroit Free Press) Health, hygiene, commerce … use our activity to help students understand how people use freshwater. Teachers, scroll down for a quick … Continue reading Michigan OKs Nestlé’s Water Extraction Plan

Educator Spotlight: Exploring Challenges of Water Quality and Access

Lisa Abramovitz guided her third-grade students through a multifaceted investigation of water quality and access. Students completed a visual water usage survey, read picture books about clean water, conducted background research, and took part in a water walk to understand the difficulties of traveling long distances to obtain water. Their learning culminated in working with a nonprofit to construct water filters for those in need. Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Exploring Challenges of Water Quality and Access