PBL Institute 2021 in Review
In partnership with CCTE, the PBL Institute hosted 147 educators in June and August 2021. This resulted in 33 interdisciplinary projects to be launched in 15 middle and high schools across San Diego.
For more PBL Institute-related resources & information:
- June & August Schedules - find links & resources from both institutes, including recordings/slides of job shadows and other professional learning opportunities
- The 6 As of PBL - refer to and reflect on these in all parts of your project design and implementation
- PBL Planner - follow this planner to dream up an interdisciplinary project with your team
- Project Websites - view the projects developed by middle and high school teams during the June & August 2021 PBL Institutes
Want a PBL Thought Partner?
If you'd like support, guidance, or a thought partner in developing/enhancing PBL at your school, building connections between schools/with industry, or integrating any of the resources within this newsletter, use this form or email Christopher Millow, PBL Resource Teacher.
SDUSD Micro-credential: "Project-Based Learning Foundations"
Are you interested in deepening your PBL practice and leadership at your school and within the SDUSD network?
A series of three micro-credentials will lead to SDUSD certification in Project-Based Learning Leadership, empowering educators to become PBL leaders in their schools. Each micro-credential requires 15 hours of hybrid learning, and will receive one Continuing Education Unit through UCSD Extension ($55 w/ $17 fee for transcript).
INTEREST MEETING for PBL Foundations Micro-credential:
- Monday, September 13th, 4:00-4:30pm
- Zoom Link: https://sandiegounified.zoom.us/j/9426280571
Check out the CATALOG of other micro-credentials being offered in SDUSD.
SDCOE & Coastal Roots Farm: Grow Your Way into a Career
Grow Your Way into a Career is a FREE student event focused on Agriculture, Business, & Culinary Arts on October 6, 13, and 20.
Join SDCOE's College and Career Readiness Team and Coastal Roots Farm to learn how the agriculture, business, and hospitality sectors intertwine to improve community food security.
Register by September 16th (they are currently at capacity, but email Lydia at lydia@sdcoe.net to be placed on the wait list).
SDCOE's Go Virtual! Career Pathways Conference
SDCOE’s College and Career Readiness Team is hosting the Go Virtual! Career Pathways Conference for K-12 educators and students on the afternoons of November 2, 3, & 4.
This FREE career pathways conference will feature keynotes, panels, and breakout sessions. This year's theme is "CTE in the Age of Disruption" and seeks to address the question: How do we incorporate innovative practices to meet the needs of students and the world of work in the changing world?
The student section of the conference will feature employers presenting on the in-demand skills and careers that comprise San Diego’s economy (including some virtual site tours!) as well as workshops to prepare students for job applications, their first day on the job, and more.
Teachers can register here. After registering, teachers will be provided the information to register their students. A student’s parent/guardian will be required to sign a digital permission slip for the student to attend.
High Tech High PBL Leadership Academy
High Tech High is offering the Project-Based Learning Leadership Academy for 2021-22. This is a FREE opportunity for interdisciplinary middle or high school teams (substitutes will need to be funded by the school site). The deadline to submit the application is September 17th.
The ideal team is made up of four to six educators focused on equity in education through authentic PBL. Each team should include at least one classroom teacher-leader and at least one school site or district administrator. And, each team should represent a diverse set of talents and interests.
Interested in applying?
- Talk to your principal.
- Complete the PBL Leadership Academy Application.
- Email me, Christopher Millow, and I will happily collaborate with your team!
SDCOE Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Highly recommended for PBL teachers!
Receive access to the SDCOE Work-Based Learning opportunities as they are made available, by completing the Work-Based Learning Training (30 minutes). After completing the training, submit the Sign In for Work-Based Learning Training Form and the SDCOE College and Career Readiness Team will add you to their email list and send you the training presentation with links to WBL resources.
New Website: Take a few minutes to click around and explore the SDCOE College and Career Readiness Team's new website. It features resources for educators, employers, and students, including a database of regional internships and jobs.
Making Student Learning Public
Student-led Conferences! Presentations of Learning! Exhibitions!
When students share their learning with others, amazing things happen. Share Your Learning is an educational movement that empowers teachers and students to share their work with authentic audiences. This provides students with "an opportunity to share their story, reflect on their growth, and engage in real dialogue with others about their learning and their futures.”
- Get started by viewing the Share Your Learning in SDUSD slides, which show examples of students sharing learning at SDUSD schools.
- Explore the downloadable toolkits on the SYL website for student-led conferences, presentations of learning, & exhibitions.
- Want to share virtually? Check out Share Your Learning for Distance Learning.
Join the movement of over five million students sharing their learning at shareyourlearning.org!
Curriculum Resources to Support PBL
- SDUSD One-Stop-Shop for Educators: includes links to resources such as Critical Concepts, Guaranteed & Viable Curriculum, & Standards-Based Grading.
- Deeper Learning HUB: customizable, thematic PBL courses for your students.
- Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance): free K-12 resources for educators to supplement curriculum, to inform practices, and to create inclusive school communities.
- Education Amplifier: provides free artwork, lesson plans and teaching tools that help facilitate non-partisan conversations around social justice in K-12 classrooms. They also have open calls for artwork.
Student Contests & Design Challenges
Through PBL, students will create beautiful work that matters. Below are some ideas for curating and sharing student work on a broader platform. If you would like support with integrating these opportunities into your project(s), please reach out!
- Scholastic Art & Writing Awards: Opens Sept 2021; Deadline Dec/Jan 2021
- The New York Times 2021-22 Student Contest Calendar: From art and editorials to personal narratives, profiles and podcasts, here are nine contests and deadlines sponsored by TNYT.
- Future Blue Youth Council Fellowship Program: mentorship and grants ($250-$1000) for water-related projects in students’ local communities.
- Ocean Awareness Contest: art-making and creative communication that advocates for positive environmental change.
- Biomimicry Global Design Challenge: guides student teams in creating a nature-inspired innovation (a product, service, or system) that aligns with one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, while incorporating biomimicry into their proposed solution. Registration is now open for 2021-22!
For more information about other student contests & competitions:
https://www.weareteachers.com/student-contests-competitions/
SDUSD Instructional Innovation Team
To find out more about curriculum, instruction, and assessment resources, as well as professional learning opportunities, visit us at SDUSD Instructional Innovation.
For more information regarding PBL at SDUSD, please contact Christopher Millow, PBL Resource Teacher, at cmillow@sandi.net, or visit the SDUSD PBL Website.