simple problem solving project ideas

7 Science Fair Projects that Solve Problems

• August 5, 2023

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Science fair projects that solve problems are a great way for students to test their interest and aptitude for a career in STEM (science-technology-engineering-math). But they shouldn’t choose just any old topic. To make the most of the opportunity, try to focus on projects with real-world applications. This will give them hands-on experience directly related to a good-paying job field, like  engineering .

With planning and hard work, the right science fair project might bump up a student’s chances for a scholarship or a trip to one of the science competitions sponsored by the Society for Science .

Do your students need help sketching the experimental set-up for a science fair presentation? Check out these resources:

• No-Prep Worksheets – How to Draw like an Engineer and Isometric Drawing
• 3D Isometric Drawing and Design for Middle School
• My Engineering Draw & Write Journal for Kids : 48 Fun Drawing and Writing Prompts to Learn about the Engineering Design Process.

Don’t get me wrong — creating foaming volcanoes or diagramming the human circulatory system are fun and classic ideas for a science fair project. But unless your student plans to go to med school or major in geology, these typical projects won’t do much to advance his or her future career. Far more practical engineering jobs will be available in the 21st century.

In this post you’ll find seven problem-solving science fair projects gleaned from the Education.com website. They provide simple, but realistic, introductions to real-world careers in electronics, robotics & automation, and construction engineering.

For more help with choosing a science fair topic, setting up your experiment, collecting and analyzing the data, and presenting your results, visit NASA’s video page on How to do a Science Fair Project .

Solving problems in Smart Technology

Consider the hottest topic in industry today – Smart Manufacturing, or Industry 4.0, sometimes called the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT). Industry 4.0 is just one facet of the global push towards Smart Cities, Smart Homes, and Smart Agriculture.

All these concepts center on wireless connectivity between machines using cellular networks. So, for Smart Homes, this means your utilities, fridge, lights, security, HVAC, and other systems would be connected through an app on your smartphone. From there you can track and control these systems to keep your home safe and comfortable, while reducing water and energy use.

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For Industry 4.0, companies are connecting the machines used in their manufacturing and power generation plants at different locations around the world. On top of that, they are creating “digital twins” of each machine, which are 3D animated computer models of the machines.

The idea is to collect real-time data from each machine and then use that data, along with artificial intelligence (AI), machine vision, and even virtual reality simulations, to:

• Design new products
• Predict when a machine will need maintenance BEFORE something goes wrong
• Optimize the output of the machines and harmonize them to work together

Solving problems in Robotics

Another major topic in industry is  robotics and automation . Automation means that machines are programmed to perform tasks without human help. Some robots are standalone, “service” robots, like the Roomba. Others, like robotic arms in factories and warehouses, pick and place items to be processed.

The more human-friendly “collaborative” robots can improve human capacity and are safe to work around. Put together, these technologies allow some manufacturing plants to run “lights out,” without any human input for days.

Robots are boosting agriculture, both in planting and harvesting fields and in packaging food. With Smart Agriculture technology, farmers collect data in their fields with mobile apps applying artificial intelligence (AI) software to reduce fertilizer needs and optimize water use.

Help students sketch their experimental set-up for science fair presentations with these resources: No-Prep Worksheets – How to Draw like an Engineer and Isometric Drawing 3D Isometric Drawing and Design for Middle School My Engineering Draw & Write Journal for Kids : 48 Fun Drawing and Writing Prompts to Learn about the Engineering Design Process.

Solving Engineering Problems

Most science fair projects on the internet seem to focus on the basic sciences, like biology and chemistry. But in light of the skills gap we are now experiencing between the available job force and manufacturing industry requirements, I believe engineering-focused science fair projects that solve problems in Industry 4.0, robotics, automation, and construction may be better choices for building up tomorrow’s workforce.

Here are 7 science fair project ideas that focus on solving problems:

1. cell phone dead zones science fair project.

https://www.education.com/science-fair/article/cell-phone-dead-zones/

Students learn how wireless networks work, find dead zones where wireless signals are lost, and determine ways to reduce these zones – important preparation for students who hope to work on Smart Homes, Smart Factories, Smart Cities, or Smart Agriculture.

2. App development science fair project

https://www.education.com/science-fair/article/iphone-application-design/

An app on a phone or tablet can be an interactive game, a navigational device, a business software package, or just about anything else you can imagine. This project allows you to get a head start in the growing app design field by designing your own app for popular smartphones.

3. Smoke detector science fair project

https://www.education.com/science-fair/article/smoke-detectors-working/?source=related_materials&order=2

Sensors of all kinds solve problems for smart technologies and robotics engineering. Sensors can detect motion, gases, light, heat, and other changes in the environment to allow robots to avoid collisions or Smart Homes to detect a fire, for example. This project compares the effectiveness of two types of sensors in a smoke detector.

4. Faraday’s experiment science fair project

https://www.education.com/science-fair/article/faraday-experiment-current-generated-magnet/

Electric currents create their own magnetic fields, and the movement of magnets induces , or creates, current in a wire. Motors and generators use magnetic movement to create current and send electricity to do useful work to power machines. In this lab, you will recreate Michael Faraday’s famous experiment by building a solenoid  (a coil of wire) and experiment with moving magnets to produce current.

5 & 6. EMFs science fair projects

https://www.education.com/science-fair/article/smart-card-electromagnetic-fields/

https://www.education.com/science-fair/article/EMF-affect-us/

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is an electronic technology used in credit cards, ID Cards, and theft prevention systems, as well as in manufacturing, warehousing and shipping products. The first project measures the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) given off by various RFID transmitters, which may have harmful effects on people. The second project looks directly at how EMFs can affect us physically.

7. Rust prevention science fair project

https://www.education.com/science-fair/article/bust-that-rust/

Metals rust, and that can be a big problem when it comes to bridges, buildings, cars, and any object exposed to air and water. This project examines the process of oxidation (not just rust) that ultimately breaks down every physical object and looks at ways to prevent that from happening.

For more problem-solving science fair project ideas, follow the STEM-Inspirations Science Fair Projects board on Pinterest.

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150+ Engaging STEM Projects for Kids and Students

STEM projects, which encompass science, technology, engineering, and math, are the perfect way to ignite curiosity, develop problem-solving skills, and have a blast while learning.

Are you looking for exciting and educational activities for your kids, students, or even the whole family? Look no further! STEM projects, which encompass science, technology, engineering, and math, are the perfect way to ignite curiosity, develop problem-solving skills, and have a blast while learning. In this blog post, you’ll discover over 150 engaging STEM projects for young learners, elementary school students, middle school students, high school students, and even projects the whole family can enjoy together. Let’s dive in and explore the exciting world of STEM!

Key Takeaways

• Introduce young learners to STEM concepts with fun and easy projects!
• Encourage kids to explore technology, renewable energy, and water filtration through engaging projects.
• Inspire the whole family to learn about rocketry principles, meteorology & astronomy by creating DIY telescopes & backyard weather stations!

Fun and Easy STEM Projects for Young Learners

Young minds are naturally curious and eager to explore the world around them. Fun and easy STEM activities for kids, like creating homemade slime, building LEGO towers, and conducting homemade volcano experiments, are perfect for introducing young children to STEM concepts while keeping them engaged and entertained. These projects not only teach kids about science, technology, engineering, and math, but also help them develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

Starting with basic supplies, most activities can be completed in just 15 to 30 minutes, making them perfect for classroom or home use. The hands-on nature of these projects allows kids to learn by doing, which is often the most effective way to teach and engage young learners. Now, here are some thrilling STEM projects that young learners can immediately embark on!

Creating Homemade Slime

A classic and fun STEM activity for kids is creating homemade slime. This gooey, slimy concoction not only provides hours of entertainment, but also teaches kids about chemical reactions and properties of matter. As they mix ingredients like glue, baking soda, and contact lens solution, they’ll observe how the combination results in a fascinating new substance with unique properties.

To get creative with slime, kids can:

• Experiment with different colors, textures, and even add-ins like glitter or small toys
• Follow instructions and ideas from online resources like Slime Design/Science Buddies and STEAM-Powered Family
• Make slime in various ways, with the range of choices being infinite

This promises endless fun with the egg drop challenge!

Building a LEGO Tower

LEGO bricks have been a popular toy for generations, and they’re also fantastic STEM resources for kids to develop their creativity, problem-solving skills, and engineering abilities. Building a LEGO tower is an exciting engineering challenge that encourages kids to think critically and strategically about how to construct the tallest tower possible.

This activity can be done individually or in groups, making it perfect for both classroom and home settings. Kids can experiment with different building techniques, materials, and styles, and even compete with their friends to see who can build the tallest tower. With this captivating STEM challenge blending enjoyment and education, there are no limits when it comes to stem stands!

Homemade Volcano Experiment

Who doesn’t love a good volcano eruption? The homemade volcano experiment is a classic science activity that introduces kids to chemical reactions and geology in a fun and exciting way. Using simple materials like baking soda, vinegar, and some food coloring, kids can create their very own volcanic eruption right in their own kitchen or backyard.

This hands-on science experiment not only provides a thrilling experience for young learners, but also helps them develop a deeper understanding of how chemical reactions work and the geological processes that occur within our Earth. This enjoyable activity ignites curiosity, motivating kids to delve into the intriguing world of science.

STEM Projects for Elementary School Students

Elementary school students, especially younger kids, are ready to take on more challenging STEM projects that help them develop their problem-solving skills, critical thinking, creativity, and engineering skills. Activities like simple machine construction, solar-powered car design, and building water filtration systems are perfect stem ideas for engaging young minds and teaching them valuable STEM concepts.

By participating in these hands-on projects, elementary school students will not only develop a strong foundation in science, technology, engineering, and math, but also gain a sense of accomplishment and pride in their creations. Let’s delve into some thrilling STEM projects suitable for elementary school students.

Simple Machine Construction

Simple machines are the building blocks of many complex devices we use in our daily lives. They make tasks easier by allowing us to use a single force to do work. Some examples of simple machines include:

• Inclined planes
• Wheels and axles

By understanding how these simple machines work, we can better understand and appreciate the technology that surrounds us.

By constructing their own simple machines, kids can gain a hands-on understanding of how these essential tools work and apply them to various tasks. To build a simple machine, kids will need to choose the type of machine they’d like to create, gather the required materials, and assemble the machine. This activity fosters creativity and problem-solving skills, while enhancing appreciation for the ease that simple machines bring to our lives.

Solar-Powered Car Design

Designing and building a solar-powered car is an exciting and rewarding STEM project for elementary school students. This activity combines engineering, design, and environmental awareness as kids learn about the power of renewable energy and create their own solar-powered vehicles.

To gather materials such as a small solar panel, a motor, wheels, and a lightweight body made from recycled materials, you can create an alternative energy vehicle, like a balloon powered car.

Kids can design, build, and test their cars to see how well they perform in various conditions. This project not only imparts essential STEM concepts, but also cultivates an understanding of the importance of sustainable living and energy efficiency.

Water Filtration System

Clean water is essential for life, and understanding the science behind water filtration can help kids appreciate this vital resource. In this project, kids will create their own water filters using simple materials like:

• Plastic bottles
• Activated charcoal

By building their own water filtration system, kids will learn about the importance of clean water, the process of water filtration, and the effects of pollution on water sources. This practical activity not only imparts crucial STEM concepts, but also encourages kids to consider their actions’ environmental impact and the value of conservation.

Engaging STEM Projects for Middle School Students

Middle school students are ready to tackle more advanced STEM projects that challenge their critical thinking skills and creativity. Activities like coding challenges, bridge engineering, and circuit experiments provide the perfect opportunity for students to delve deeper into the world of STEM and apply their newfound knowledge to real-world problems.

These projects not only help students develop a strong foundation in STEM concepts, but also instill a sense of curiosity, determination, and resilience as they work through challenges and find innovative solutions. Let’s discover some intriguing STEM projects that middle school students can confidently undertake.

Coding Challenges

In today’s increasingly digital world, coding is a valuable skill that can open doors to exciting career opportunities. Introducing middle school students to computer programming through coding challenges and activities is a fantastic way to ignite their interest in this essential skill.

Platforms like Scratch and Code.org offer intuitive interfaces and engaging activities that make learning to code fun and accessible for students of all skill levels. Participation in coding challenges allows students to enhance their problem-solving skills, refine their logical thinking, and deepen their understanding of computer programming.

Bridge Engineering

Bridge engineering is an exciting STEM project that teaches students about engineering principles, materials, and construction techniques. By designing and building their own bridges, students can develop an understanding of the forces at play in bridge construction and the importance of strong, stable structures.

Using materials like toothpicks, popsicle sticks, or even newspaper, students can experiment with different building techniques and styles to create bridges that can support weight and span distances. This practical activity not only imparts essential STEM concepts, but also instills a sense of achievement and pride in their creations.

Circuit Experiments

Electricity is a fundamental part of our daily lives, and understanding how circuits work is essential for students to grasp the principles of electrical engineering. Circuit experiments are a great way for middle school students to learn about electricity, components, and circuit design by building their own circuits using simple materials like batteries, wires, and light bulbs.

By creating and testing their own circuits, students can develop a hands-on understanding of how electrical components work together and the role of electricity in powering our devices. This captivating project not only imparts essential STEM concepts, but also ignites curiosity, encouraging students to delve into the intriguing world of electrical engineering.

Advanced STEM Projects for High School Students

High school students are ready to tackle advanced STEM projects that challenge their knowledge, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Activities like robot building, energy-efficient home design, and chemistry experiments provide the perfect opportunity for students to delve deeper into the world of STEM and apply their skills to real-world problems.

These projects not only help students develop a strong foundation in STEM concepts, but also instill a sense of curiosity, determination, and resilience as they work through challenges and find innovative solutions.

Let’s explore STEM projects that high school students can confidently undertake and discover captivating ideas through a fun stem challenge.

Robot Building

Robotics is an exciting and rapidly growing field, and introducing high school students to robot building is a fantastic way to ignite their interest in this cutting-edge discipline. Building robots not only teaches valuable engineering and programming skills, but also encourages creativity and innovation as students design their own robots using kits or DIY materials.

By constructing and programming their own robots, students can gain a hands-on understanding of how robotics technology works and the potential applications of robots in various industries. This captivating project not only imparts essential STEM concepts, but also ignites curiosity, encouraging students to delve into the intriguing world of robotics.

Energy-Efficient Home Design

With growing concerns about climate change and the need for sustainable living, understanding energy-efficient home design is more important than ever. This project challenges high school students to design and build a model of an energy-efficient home, incorporating elements such as insulation, energy-efficient windows and doors, and renewable energy sources like solar panels.

By designing and constructing their own energy-efficient homes, students can develop an understanding of the importance of sustainable living and the role of energy efficiency in reducing our environmental impact. This practical activity not only imparts essential STEM concepts, but also fosters a sense of responsibility and awareness of the importance of conservation.

Chemistry Experiment

Chemistry experiments are an exciting way for high school students to explore the world of chemical reactions, properties of elements, and more. Hands-on experiments allow students to develop an understanding of the principles of chemistry and the role of chemical reactions in our daily lives.

By conducting their own chemistry experiments, students can gain a deeper understanding of the scientific method, develop critical thinking skills, and ignite their curiosity about the fascinating world of chemistry. This captivating project not only imparts essential STEM concepts but also encourages students to explore the marvels of science through engaging science experiments.

STEM Projects for the Whole Family

STEM projects aren’t just for kids! Engaging in STEM activities as a family is a fantastic way to bond, learn, and have fun together. Projects like homemade rocket launches, DIY telescope construction, and backyard weather stations are perfect for bringing the whole family together and sparking curiosity and creativity in everyone, regardless of age.

By participating in these family-friendly STEM projects, you’ll not only create lasting memories, but also instill a love for STEM in your children, setting them up for success in their future endeavors. So, gather the family and embark on some thrilling STEM projects that everyone can relish!

Homemade Rocket Launch

Launching homemade rockets is a thrilling and educational activity that’s perfect for the whole family. By building and launching rockets using simple materials like plastic bottles, baking soda, and vinegar, kids can learn about physics, aerodynamics, and the science behind rocket propulsion.

This practical activity not only offers a thrilling experience for the whole family, but also aids kids in developing a more profound understanding of rocketry principles and science’s role in powering our world. So, gather the family and prepare for lift-off with this enjoyable and educational project!

DIY Telescope Construction

Astronomy has fascinated humans for centuries, and building your own telescope is an exciting way for the whole family to explore the wonders of the night sky. Using simple materials like PVC pipes, lenses, and mirrors, kids can construct their own telescopes and learn about the principles of optics, astronomy, and the vast universe.

This practical activity not only offers an engaging learning experience for the whole family, but also fosters a sense of curiosity and awe about the universe. So gather your materials and set off on a starry journey with this DIY telescope project!

Backyard Weather Station

Understanding the weather is essential for everyday life, and building a backyard weather station is a fantastic way for the whole family to learn about meteorology and weather patterns. Using simple tools and materials, kids can create their own weather station that measures:

• Temperature

This practical activity not only imparts essential STEM concepts, but also encourages kids to develop an appreciation for the environment and the natural world. So, assemble the family and begin weather tracking with your very own backyard weather station!

In conclusion, STEM projects offer a world of exciting and educational opportunities for kids, students, and families alike. From fun and easy projects for young learners to engaging activities for middle and high school students, there’s a STEM project out there for everyone. By participating in these hands-on activities, we can foster a love for science, technology, engineering, and math, setting our children up for success in their future endeavors. So, whether you’re a parent, teacher, or student, dive into the exciting world of STEM and unleash your creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving skills!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good stem project.

The Egg Drop Challenge, DIY kite-building, solar oven-making, landmark building, and bridge-building are all great STEM projects for learning and fun.

Unleash your creativity to build something amazing!

What does STEM project mean?

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics and is a learning approach that integrates these fields. It allows students to develop problem solving, creative, and critical analysis skills, making it an important priority for U.S. job markets.

STEM education is becoming increasingly important in the modern world, as it prepares students for the jobs of the future. It encourages students to think critically and develop skills that are essential for success in life.

What is STEM project in high school?

STEM projects in high school give students the opportunity to develop their skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in a fun and engaging way.

These projects can help students gain a better understanding of the concepts they are learning in the classroom, as well as giving them the chance to apply their knowledge in a practical setting. They can also help to develop problem-solving skills.

What are some cool STEM projects?

Explore the exciting world of STEM with these 10 simple and fun activities for kids - from building volcanoes to constructing paper circuits!

Unlock your child’s creativity and develop their science, engineering, and technology skills today.

What age group is most suitable for the STEM projects listed?

The STEM projects listed are best suited for elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as for the whole family.

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Have You Seen Our List of Favorite Graphic Novels?

65+ Real-World Project-Based Learning Ideas for All Ages and Interests

Find and implement solutions to real-world problems.

Project-based learning is a hot topic in many schools these days, as educators work to make learning more meaningful for students. As students conduct hands-on projects addressing real-world issues, they dig deeper and make personal connections to the knowledge and skills they’re gaining. But not just any project fits into this concept. Learn more about strong project-based learning ideas, and find examples for any age or passion.

What is project-based learning?

Project-based learning (PBL) uses real-world projects and student-directed activities to build knowledge and skills. Kids choose a real-world topic that’s meaningful to them (some people call these “passion projects”), so they’re engaged in the process from the beginning. These projects are long-term, taking weeks, months, or even a full semester or school year. Students may complete them independently or working in small groups. Learn much more about project-based learning here.

What makes a good PBL project?

In many ways, PBL is more like the work adults do in their daily jobs, especially because student efforts have potential real-world effects. A strong PBL project:

• Addresses a real-world issue or problem
• Requires sustained and independent inquiry, in and out of the classroom
• Allows students voice and choice throughout the project
• Combines elements of many disciplines
• Includes collaboration with public partners, such as universities, community organizations, or businesses
• Produces a public product that is seen by those outside the school community
• Covers a complete process, including activities like research, design, production, marketing or public awareness, and enlisting supporters or investors

Outdoor Project-Based Learning Ideas

• Create a new local park, or improve an existing one by adding new features or providing needed maintenance.
• Plant a community garden to provide food for a soup kitchen, food pantry, or other organization.
• Design and create a butterfly, pollinator, or other wildlife garden to support the local ecosystem.
• Build a new walking or biking trail that’s safe for people of all ages to use.
• Devise and implement a way to reduce litter in your community.
• Set up and manage a school or community compost pile, and distribute the resulting soil to those who need it most.
• Find and help the public use a new way to grow food that requires less soil, water, or fertilizers, which are in short supply in some parts of the world.
• Design, build, and install a completely unique piece of playground equipment that serves a specific purpose or need.

School Community Project-Based Learning Ideas

• Start a comprehensive recycling program at school, or substantially improve participation in an existing one.
• Add collaborative artwork like murals or other displays to school hallways, bathrooms, or grounds.
• Determine a location or program at your school that needs improvement, then make a plan, raise the funds, and implement your ideas.
• Come up with ways to celebrate your school’s diversity and improve relationships between all students.
• Start and run a school store , including inventory, financial plans, and marketing.
• Write a school handbook for new students, with tips and tricks for helping them feel at home.
• Figure out how to offer healthier, better-tasting meals and snacks in the school cafeteria.
• Implement a mentoring program for older students to help younger students, with planned activities and appropriate training for older students.
• Design and propose a new style of grading system that ensures equity.
• Find ways to improve the indoor recess experience at your school.
• Set up and run a new school newspaper, magazine, podcast, video channel, etc.

Greater Community Project-Based Learning Ideas

• Coordinate a community art project in a central location to celebrate local culture or artists.
• Set up a program for schoolkids to socialize with senior citizens in nursing homes, hospitals, or retirement communities.
• Create a program to offer free translation services for ESL families in the community.
• Help a local animal shelter improve its facilities, or find new ways to match homeless pets with their forever families.
• Build and maintain Little Free Libraries around your community, especially in underserved areas.
• Help local businesses become more environmentally conscious, increasing sustainability and decreasing waste.
• Create and lead a walking tour of your community, highlighting its culture, history, landmarks, and more.
• Find a way to record and celebrate local voices in your community’s history.
• Come up with ideas for welcoming immigrants and other newcomers to your community.
• Set up a series of events that will encourage the community to mix and experience each others’ foods, cultures, and more.
• Create and implement a new program to inspire a love of books and reading in preschool students.
• Set up and help run a new charitable organization your community needs.

Social Issues Project-Based Learning Ideas

• Start an awareness campaign on a topic that’s important to you, like anti-bullying, healthy living, protecting the environment, civil rights, equality and equity, etc.
• Come up with and implement ways to increase voter turnout in your community, especially among younger voters.
• Write, record, and share with a wider audience your own TED Talk–style video on an issue that hasn’t been covered yet or on which you have a unique perspective.
• Devise and implement ways for unheard voices to be amplified in your school or community.
• Write and publicly perform a play that highlights a social issue that’s important to you.
• Look for areas in your community that present challenges to those with disabilities, and help to improve them to overcome those challenges.
• Research, write, and publicly present and defend a position paper on an issue that’s important to your community.
• Choose a real court case, then research the law and work with legal experts to prepare and present your own case as you would in a courtroom.
• Write, edit, seek, and incorporate real-world feedback, and publish or publicly present your own book, poem, or song on an issue that’s important to you.
• Start a program to teach a specific group (e.g., preschoolers, senior citizens, business owners) to care for and protect the environment.
• Plan and hold a fundraiser to support an issue you care about.
• Choose a law you feel is unjust, and write, research, and publicly present and defend a position paper about your desired change.

STEM Project-Based Learning Ideas

• Create an app that meets a specific purpose for a specific audience.
• Invent something new that the world needs, and then fund, create, and sell your product in the community.
• Design a game to help students learn important STEM concepts.
• Find a simple way to improve an existing product, especially if it cuts costs or improves environmental sustainability.
• Explore ways to reduce the amount of waste we produce, especially plastic and other landfill-bound items.
• Write a book or graphic novel that’s entertaining but also teaches kids about science or math.
• Devise new ways to provide clean drinking water to communities where water is scarce.
• Build an effective solar oven people can use to cook during extended power outages, or in areas where electricity isn’t available.
• Work with a university or STEM organization to gather, analyze, and present real-world scientific data.
• Design a building to fit a specific purpose or need, including researching the requirements and zoning laws, accurately drafting a plan, determining the costs, and presenting the plan to the proposed client.
• Create an interactive hands-on exhibit to teach people about STEM concepts.
• Determine a type of website you believe is missing, then research, build, and publish the site you envision.

Creative Arts Project-Based Learning Ideas

• Organize an art show for the community, seeking out those who ordinarily might not have a chance to display their work.
• Create and teach an art class in your area of expertise to children, the elderly, or another segment of the population.
• Design a mural for an area in your community that needs beautification, and seek funding or other assistance from community members to install it.
• Write a play about a topic that’s meaningful to you or your community. Work with the community to stage a performance for all to attend.
• Invite local dancers to perform at a school or community Festival of Dance, highlighting a variety of cultures and dance styles.
• Start a regular writer’s workshop where community writers can come together to share and seek feedback. Invite local authors or publishing experts to speak as guests.
• Collect stories, poems, and essays from local authors, and put them together into a book. Sell the book to raise money for a cause that’s important to local writers.
• Gather singers or instrumentalists from your community into a choir or band. Put on a concert to raise money for a special cause, or take your choir on tour to local retirement homes, hospitals, etc.
• Write a song about a person or cause that’s important to you. Produce and record the song, then find a way to share it with others.
• Make a short film about a local hero, community event, or local place. Invite others to do the same, and organize a local film festival.

What are some your favorite project-based learning ideas? Come share your thoughts in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook !

Plus, meaningful service learning projects for kids and teens ..

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STEM learning is largely about designing creative solutions for real-world problems. When students learn within the context of authentic, problem-based STEM design, they can more clearly see the genuine impact of their learning. That kind of authenticity builds engagement, taking students from groans of “When will I ever use this?” to a genuine connection between skills and application.

Using STEM to promote critical thinking and innovation

“Educational outcomes in traditional settings focus on how many answers a student knows. We want students to learn how to develop a critical stance with their work: inquiring, editing, thinking flexibly, and learning from another person’s perspective,” says Arthur L. Costa in his book Learning and Leading with Habits of Mind . “The critical attribute of intelligent human beings is not only having information but also knowing how to act on it.”

Invention and problem-solving aren’t just for laboratory thinkers hunkered down away from the classroom. Students from elementary to high school can wonder, design, and invent a real product that solves real problems. “ Problem-solving involves finding answers to questions and solutions for undesired effects. STEM lessons revolve around the engineering design process (EDP) — an organized, open-ended approach to investigation that promotes creativity, invention, and prototype design, along with testing and analysis,” says Ann Jolly in her book STEM by Design . “These iterative steps will involve your students in asking critical questions about the problem, and guide them through creating and testing actual prototypes to solve that problem.”

STEM projects that use real-world problems

Here are some engaging projects that get your students thinking about how to solve real-world problems.

Preventing soil erosion

In this project, meant for sixth – 12th grade, students learn to build a seawall to protest a coastline from erosion, calculating wave energy to determine the best materials for the job.  See the project.

Growing food during a flood

A natural disaster that often devastates communities, floods can make it difficult to grow food. In this project, students explore “a problem faced by farmers in Bangladesh and how to grow food even when the land floods.”  See the project .

Solving a city’s design needs

Get your middle or high school students involved in some urban planning. Students can identify a city’s issues, relating to things like transportation, the environment, or overcrowding — and design solutions. See the project here or this Lego version for younger learners.

Creating clean water

Too many areas of the world — including cities in our own country — do not have access to clean water. In this STEM project, teens will learn how to build and test their own water filtration systems.  See the project here .

Improving the lives of those with disabilities

How can someone with crutches or a wheelchair carry what they need? Through some crafty designs! This project encourages middle school students to think creatively  and  to participate in civic engagement.   See the project here .

Cleaning up an oil spill

We’ve all seen images of beaches and wildlife covered in oil after a disastrous spill. This project gets elementary to middle school students designing and testing oil spill clean-up kits. See the project here .

Building earthquake-resistant structures

With the ever-increasing amount of devastating earthquakes around the world, this project solves some major problems. Elementary students can learn to create earthquake resistant structures in their classroom. See the project here .

Constructing solar ovens

In remote places or impoverished areas, it’s possible to make solar ovens to safely cook food. In this project, elementary students construct solar ovens to learn all about how they work and their environmental and societal impact.  See the project here .

Stopping apple oxidization

Stop those apples from turning brown with this oxidation-based project. Perfect for younger learners, students can predict, label, count, and experiment! See the project here .

Advancing as a STEAM educator

The push for STEM has evolved into the STEAM movement, adding the arts for further enrichment and engagement. There are so many ways to embed STEM or STEAM lessons in your curriculum, but doing it well requires foundational knowledge and professional development. Imagine what type of impact you could have on your students and your community if you were supported by a theoretical framework, a variety of strategies, and a wealth of ideas and resources.

You may also like to read

• Teaching STEM: Challenging Students to Think Through Tough Problems
• Professional Development Resources for STEM Teachers
• What is the Washington State STEM Lighthouse Program?
• Characteristics of a Great STEAM Program
• Building a Partnership Between Your School and a STEAM Organization
• The Art of Inquiry in STEAM Education

Categorized as: Tips for Teachers and Classroom Resources

Tagged as: Art ,  Educational Technology ,  Engaging Activities ,  Math and Science ,  Science ,  STEAM

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New Designs for School From Teacher to Teammate: Real-World Projects Challenge Students and Teachers Alike

Elizabeth Luna (she/her) Teacher and Department Chair Athens Drive Magnet High School in Raleigh, North Carolina

We’ve all had the experience of truly purposeful, authentic learning and know how valuable it is. Educators are taking the best of what we know about learning, student support, effective instruction, and interpersonal skill-building to completely reimagine schools so that students experience that kind of purposeful learning all day, every day.

Community-based projects are a game-changer in the classroom, when students learn to use design thinking to solve problems, address community needs, and make an impact... and teachers become partners in learning.

After 12 years of teaching, I thought I had mastered connecting curriculum to student interest. However, during the pandemic, the problem of student engagement became glaring as students struggled to find purpose. Faced with learning on their own, they encountered the daunting task of finding meaning in standards that were disconnected from “real life.”

While students struggled to find motivation and purpose, I also faced the need to rethink my view of teaching and learning. There were a lot of questions that ran through my mind. The main one that continued to resurface was, “What actually matters?” With shortened teaching time, on top of the disengagement, I encountered the formidable moment of figuring out the goal of my courses and what I truly wanted students to learn/know. For years, the county and the state have been telling teachers what matters most through the curriculums provided. This pandemic shined a light on the fact that the standards weren’t cutting it.

When I reflected on what my design courses had lost in the online transition, I realized that the community connections and design thinking that I had built in my first few years of teaching had vanished. Classes became flat and task driven, and my students couldn’t “think big” anymore because they didn’t have the space to do so. The new tech standards weren’t enough for my students, and they didn’t work for me either. Teaching a student how to click buttons in an ever-changing and evolving technology-filled world felt pointless and went against every virtue taught to me within my design degree. I needed more and so did they.

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“What actually matters?” is a tough question to answer. Upon some reflection, I realized that I have two major goals within my classroom.

First, I want students to become proficient in the design programs so that they can create.

Second, I need students to understand how to use these skills to solve problems, address community needs, and thus, make an impact.

The base curriculum covered the first goal, but the second part was on me to create and develop.

A Design Thinking Classroom

The design process is a procedure with which everyone needs to become familiar in the 21st century and is a necessity to achieve my second goal. My graphic design degree from North Carolina State University taught me the importance of design thinking and its impact on creating change. As a teacher, this training is implemented within my classroom. I explain to students that no matter what subject area they are interested in, the process is applicable. You will always be solving problems and inventing solutions whether they are designed products, business plans, or vaccines; your life is about problem-solving and innovating. There are a lot of design processes out there, from simple to complex, but they all move you through the same base steps.

• Empathizing with the user/ Gathering information
• Defining the problem
• Ideating/ Finding solutions
• Creating and evaluating solutions: Sharing out and receiving critique
• Refining and adjusting those solutions

These steps were the guiding process in my classroom before the pandemic and needed to be reinstated at the forefront of my classroom as students returned to school this year. Rather than teaching the five step process to students as a discrete skill, I recognized the importance of integrating the five steps into every project and assignment, to teach through the five steps. Transforming a classroom to incorporate this type of thinking is complex and time consuming. It forced me to break away from the provided curriculum and enhance it. I had to carve out time within my classes for students to think deeply around problems, to debate, and to develop and express opinions.

For the first time in a long time I saw growth as students pulled away from a task-completion mindset and, instead, focused on seeking feedback and refining ideas. Allowing time for thought and exploration was key to moving students toward being problem-solvers. Students began to turn to each other for opinions and, instead of rejecting the other person’s thoughts, they sought to understand another viewpoint. When they fell short on a technical skill, they didn’t shut down. Instead, they asked for help from me or another student, searched on the internet for support, etc. Because the assignments were structured in a more open-ended manner, students were no longer worried about being seen as “right.” Instead, they focused on creating the best result possible for them at that time.

Building a creative thought process was only half the battle, though. I needed to connect students to the community to engage in purposeful ways. In the past, I have connected to community members that needed graphic design work done. I knew that my students responded better to real-world projects than any construct I could mimic. But as a teacher, I was overwhelmed by the time required to track down community members in need, connect them with students, and figure out the direction and goal of the project. I needed community connection to help my students build their purpose, but figuring out how to make that happen was a roadblock. Then Project Invent came along.

Project Invent would impact my classroom in ways that I did not understand immediately, challenging me as an educator while also providing structure and opportunities for my students. Project Invent was a tangible organization that took the design process I had been working so hard to embed in my classroom and connected it to problem-solving within the community. They were the bridge that I needed to make my second goal come to fruition.

Get the learner perspective on real-world projects from a former student in Ms. Luna’s class! Rethinking Education: Prioritizing Creativity and People over Grades and Rubrics

Real-World Context Is Everything to a Student

My students need connection. I was inundated with statements like, “I am most excited about being able to apply design to group projects and work towards making an impact for someone,” and “getting to do something real.” Project Invent partnered us with two community members that matched our school’s magnet theme. We have a global health theme at our school that teachers are supposed to integrate into curriculum, and some students take part in a STEM Academy which focuses on sustainability. My community partners targeted both of these areas, one from the North Carolina Forestry Division and another with a son that struggled with microcephaly amongst other medical conditions.

In order for students to take full ownership, I handed the reins to them immediately. We reviewed some basic interview etiquette, students did some background research, and then we scheduled our first interview. My students met with the community partners and controlled the interactions from the start. The interviews brought a deeper engagement. I often work to mimic projects and requests they would receive in the workforce so my students are used to getting a ‘real’ project brief that I create for them. However, I have never before put them in front of someone and asked them to listen to everything that person has to say and attempt to deconstruct the client’s biggest needs. In this situation, they were tasked with figuring out what the client’s problems were, empathizing with them, and defining their direction of work. Meeting our clients was a game-changing experience for students. They left their interview sessions discussing every statement said, went back and analyzed the transcripts, and argued about what was most important and what should be the focus. Their passion bloomed before my eyes as these excited students became invested in the people sitting across from them.

Visiting a Site Creates Opportunities to Learn and Understand

Visiting the site of a problem or seeing a situation in-person is essential for kids to "feel" what is going on. Encouraging students to venture out to a space or physically research and experiment with a problem is the key to better understanding. Students come up with more accurate solutions and/or develop new ways to look at things when they can experience the space or problem first hand. My students were sure their solution direction was the right way to go, until they had an opportunity to visit the site of concern. After walking the space, experiencing the different areas, and hearing more from the client, they agreed they’d have to pivot their ideas and throw out their plans. It turns out, they had not solved the most essential problems and they knew their plans weren’t accurate anymore. The feedback from their partner and the chance to immerse themselves into a situation made students aware of possibilities they had not imagined based on their own experiences.

Team Assignments and Collaboration Support Change-Making

I wanted students to self-select the design challenges most interesting to them.Interviews, breakdowns, and problem analysis were done with all students in randomly assigned small groups as well as a whole class. This ensured a basic understanding of both clients for all and would foster a better creative environment as our class progressed through the year. If every student understood the problems at hand, every one could provide valuable feedback and be active supporters in the invention process. As research and problem definition progressed, students began to really gravitate toward one client over the other; natural separations started to form within the classroom.

Even with the class splitting, groups were still too large for each student to have an active voice. They worked through a variety of ideation charts as they narrowed their points of interest with the client, thus further dividing themselves into smaller cohorts. I also began surveying students around different skill sets to ensure that groups were balanced with knowledge/ability as much as possible. However, one student pointed out, “It’s more important that I am passionate about what I am working on and who I am working with than having a technically skilled team. I want to be invested in this.” His statement reminded me that the point of the teams was to push student-passion forward; I needed to be careful about balancing a team around skill and needed to focus more on dedication and client-based interest.

Community Engagement Can Fill the Knowledge/Skill Gap of the Teacher

“I don’t know how” might be the most common phrase uttered by students and myself this year. I vividly remember the point where I looked at my students and said we had hit the point where I no longer had the knowledge base to support them. I am a graphic designer. I like to make things look good and I enjoy the challenge of communication. When we hit questions around feasibility and the prototyping stage, I was way out of my league. I openly admitted this to my students. That moment was transformative as the playing field was leveled. My job was to support them and help them problem-solve. I couldn’t tell them what was right or wrong and, as students realized this, we entered a space where trial and error would lead to a lot of failure and, hopefully, some success. The rhythm of the class changed.

Already engaging with community members as clients, it occurred to me that I could use community members to support my students where my knowledge was scant. I sought help from teachers, friends, college students, and local businesses. Since virtual meetings are so prominent now, the challenge of getting students and professionals together was almost non-existent. It became a natural process: students would hit a question that we genuinely couldn’t answer, we’d debate about what type of person would be able to support us, and I would work alongside my magnet coordinator to find a professional that could help. Product developers could understand their idea and talk to students about feasibility, often giving them parts to look up or products to learn about. Engineers talked about intricate electronic concepts, pointing students to a type of relay or remote. Gardeners and landscapers discussed invasive species and methods of removal, directing us back to specific research articles and studies completed.

Honest and purposeful feedback is absolutely vital for students to know whether an idea is successful, possible, or should be pursued further. Real feedback from invested clients and business professionals encourages students’ refining and adjusting solutions for the benefit of the project. Without client and community insight, the initial design may be "good" but not fulfill all the essential needs. Since feedback came from multiple volunteers spanning different backgrounds, students were exposed to a variety of viewpoints. They learned how to sift through reviews and pull the most essential information. Designers need to take feedback as a gift of new possibilities, not a "put down" of their ideas.

Every conversation a student had, even when it was filled with critique, led to more energy and motivation. Students pivoted concepts, considered issues they hadn’t previously thought about, and had moments of confirmation that I couldn’t give them. Every time, they came back and asked for more. I realized that the engagement with outsiders filled the knowledge gap I faced while also giving the kids meaningful experience with experts in a variety of fields. The cool part was, they came back to me to share their excitement, their success, their questions and concerns. I was now a member of each team; instead of being the one with the answers, I was getting to be part of their support system. I was working alongside them to hypothesize and decide on their next steps as an equal, which so rarely happens in the classroom.

Local professionals want to work with students and, when asked to engage actively and not just as a speaker, they are as fulfilled as the kids. The experience benefits everyone involved. Making time for those interactions is key to keeping students engaged in their work. ‘Rejuvenating’ was the word many community members used. The students brought new hope and excitement to their lives. One professional said, “Your students’ passion is electrifying. I am so impressed with their concepts and work. They will change the world and have the ability to do that because of the opportunities you’re providing them.” His excitement reminded me of what many professionals have said over the years, “Students are the future and I want to work with them and inspire them to create.”

Student Success Is So Much More than Test Scores

As a teacher, my job has been consistently broken down into teaching students standards and technical skills. Because of a need to ‘test’ students to prove their success, my curriculum has lost the applicability, creative thinking, and all of the upper-level verbs in Bloom’s Taxonomy. I’ve come to believe that focusing on new high-tech skills is an archaic choice. The world is continuously evolving and shifting; my job is not to teach a skill that will be outdated in a year to come, but use the skills as a means of production and creation.

With this mindset, students learn by necessity and naturally gain ability as they apply themselves to larger tasks. It is not going to be equal. Every student will not develop success in the same area. Some students end up gaining coding knowledge, others focus on design, some find out their success is in presentation, but all grow in areas that interest them and help direct them in future career choices. Amongst individual accomplishment, there is also a level of success that comes from having to work closely in a team. They’ve learned how to hold each other accountable, how to manage peers and time, and how to celebrate each small victory.

I have enhanced the learning experience to wrap around a student and their natural abilities by building creative spaces, community connection, and providing opportunities in which everyone learns from each other. Beyond the student, I have enhanced my teaching experience, challenging myself to be comfortable with students working on a variety of skills, with non-traditional ways to measure success, and with not always having the control over learning direction. The environment that forms from client-driven projects and community engagement is life-giving to community members, teachers, and students alike.

The Portrait of a Graduate in Practice

New from NGLC! The outcomes that Elizabeth Luna sees from real-world projects are often the competencies expressed in a school or district's graduate portrait. Find out how portraits are inspiring system-wide change where this kind of teaching and learning can thrive.

All photos courtesy of the author.

Elizabeth Luna (she/her)

Teacher and department chair, athens drive magnet high school.

Elizabeth Luna is a graphic design teacher and career tech education department chair at Athens Drive Magnet High School, Center for Medical Sciences and Global Health Initiatives. She also coaches four teams of students through Project Invent . She has led work at the county and school level focused on implementing design thinking in the classroom.

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Real World STEM Projects

Real world STEM projects are a great way for kids to develop and practice their problem solving skills. Learn how to set up real-world STEM challenges as part of a STEM or science curriculum in any classroom, group, or home. Use our handy free STEM challenge checklist to guide the process from identifying a problem, developing a solution to reflecting on the effectiveness of that solution. Let’s support our kids with STEM skills, to find and solve problems in their community!

Solve Real World Problems With STEM

Quick STEM challenges , easy STEM activities and even STEM challenges with paper , are lots of fun to set up in the classroom, at home, or in small group settings. In fact, it is a great place to start if your kids have not had much exposure to the problem-solving process we outline below.

The difference is that kids are given the challenge or question to investigate. For example, our egg drop project requires designing something that will stop eggs from cracking when dropped from a height. Kids are given a problem and then design and test a solution.

In contrast, real-world problem-solving requires kids to identify a problem in their local community or perhaps even a global issue, and then they come up with possible solutions. It requires flexibility, resilience, resourcefulness, and a certain degree of creativity!

Checklist For Completing Your Real World STEM Project

Want your kids to work on real world STEM projects? Here is a summary of the process you want them to follow. Use it as a guide! Grab the free checklist [here] .

1. Ask – Brainstorm a list of problems you would like to be able to solve.

2. Observe – Observe and list other solutions to your problem that already exist.

3. Design – Sketch or describe your design ideas.

4. Build – Build the solution or protype

5. Test – Record your methods and results.

6. Solve – Evaluate your solution. What worked well? What could you improve?

The Problem Solving Process

Engineering is all about problem-solving. Engineers use a process called the engineering design process to solve problems.

The process involves six steps: ASK, OBSERVE, GATHER, DESIGN, TEST, and SOLVE.

First, engineers ASK a question. They identify a problem that needs to be solved.

Next, engineers OBSERVE . They gather information by looking at how things work and taking note of what is already out there.

After that, engineers GATHER information. They do research to learn more about the problem and what has already been done to solve it.

Once engineers have enough information, they move on to DESIGN . They use their knowledge and creativity to come up with a solution to the problem.

After they have a design, engineers TEST it. They build a prototype of the solution and see how it works.

Finally, engineers SOLVE the problem. They take what they have learned from testing and improve their design until they have a working solution.

Engineers use this process to come up with creative solutions to real-world problems.

Get Your Printable Real World STEM Project Pack!

Are you looking for more than a simple checklist? How about a complete, done-for-you Real World STEN project outline for the kids to read through and fill in? It includes all the information you need to identify and solve a local challenge!

Perfect for elementary and middle school-age kids! Plus, I have added a bonus Island STEM Story with fun challenges based on the “real” problems the kids in the story need to find solutions for! It’s a great way to start with the idea of solving real-world problems on a smaller scale!

STEM Projects That Are About Real World Problems

Are you not sure where to start? These ideas below are based on real-world problems and are a starting point for getting kids thinking about an issue and developing possible solutions!

Beach Erosion Demonstration

Explore solutions for the problem of coastal erosion.

Earthquake Experiment

Some parts of the world frequently experience earthquakes. Have the kids come up with possible building designs that would withstand movement caused by earthquakes.

Oil Spill Experiment

Understand what an oil spill is and explore ways for it to be cleaned up before it damages the environment.

Soil Erosion

Explore the causes of soil erosion, why it is a significant problem and what can be done about it with this real world STEM project.

DIY Solar Oven

Investigate the most effective way to heat food without traditional energy sources. A significant issue in underdeveloped parts of the world.

Water Filtration

What can people do when they don’t have access to clean drinking water?

What Is STEM For Kids?

So you might ask, what does STEM actually stand for? STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. The most important thing you can take away from this, is that STEM is for everyone!

Yes, kids of all ages can work on STEM projects and enjoy STEM lessons. STEM activities are great for group work, too! You can read more about the valuable life lessons that STEM can provide kids here.

STEM is everywhere! Just look around. The simple fact that STEM surrounds us is why it’s so important for kids to be a part of, to use, and to understand STEM.

From the buildings you see in town, the bridges that connect places, the computers we use, the software programs that go with them, and to the air we breathe, STEM is what makes it all possible.

Interested in STEM plus ART? Check out all our STEAM Activities!

Engineering is an important part of STEM. What is engineering in kindergarten and elementary? Well, it’s putting together simple structures and other items and learning about the science behind them in the process. Essentially, it’s a whole lot of doing! 

Tips For Real World STEM Projects

Depending on the age and level of your kids, continue to scaffold the task as appropriate. Grab our printable STEM project pack below to make that even easier! It includes a number of real-world problem-solving worksheets to guide your kids through the process, and can be used easily in the classroom or at home.

One way to scaffold is to provide the topic from which kids choose a problem. For example; environment, accessibility, water, education, buildings, cities, or rural areas. Cross-curricular topics, that is, they involve more than one area of learning, are great for real world STEM projects!

Working in small groups is also another great way to provide support to students with solving real world problems. Of course, giving kids a time frame for each part of the project (see the problem solving process further on) helps too!

Remember with real world STEM projects, having a go and engaging with the problem solving process is more important than the “correctness” of the solution. Perfection is not the goal!

Helpful STEM Resources To Get You Started

Here are a few resources to help you introduce STEM more effectively to your kiddos or students and feel confident when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.

• Engineering Design Process Explained
• What Is An Engineer
• Engineering Words
• Questions for Reflection (get them talking about it!)
• BEST STEM Books for Kids
• 14 Engineering Books for Kids
• Jr. Engineer Challenge Calendar (Free)
• Must Have STEM Supplies List

Printable STEM Pack for Kids

80+ Doable Engineering Projects in one convenient pack!

• Full instructions with sample images
• Activity-specific instruction sheets
• Data Collection Sheets
• Questions for Reflection
• Architecture Building Cards: Try the tallest tower challenge
• Bridge Building Cards: Explore different types of bridges to build your own.
• Paper Chain STEM Challenge: Who can make the longest chain? Great icebreaker or quick challenge!
• 3 Little Pigs Architectural Pack: Design a house that won’t blow away!
• Great marshmallow challenge: A classic challenge kids love!
• Real-world STEM challenge lesson but don’t know where to start? Our easy-to-follow template shows the steps!
• What’s the difference between a scientist and an engineer?
• Crossword and word search with engineering vocabulary.
• Engineering vocabulary cards
• Design a one-of-a-kind invention and write about it with this 5-page activity!

Subscribe to receive a free 5-Day STEM Challenge Guide

~ projects to try now ~.

Publications

On-demand strategy, speaking & workshops, latest articles, write for us, library/publications.

• Competency-Based Education
• Early Learning
• Equity & Access
• Personalized Learning
• Place-Based Education
• Post-Secondary
• Project-Based Learning
• SEL & Mindset
• STEM & Maker
• The Future of Tech and Work

Zoe Weil on The Solutionary Way

John watson and mawi asgedom on creating innovative experiences and belonging for adult learners, nevada’s state portrait of a learner, voices of small schools podcast: scalability, recent releases.

Health Science Pathways Guide

New Pathways Handbook: Getting Started with Pathways

Unfulfilled Promise: The Forty-Year Shift from Print to Digital and Why It Failed to Transform Learning

The Portrait Model: Building Coherence in School and System Redesign

Green Pathways: New Jobs Mean New Skills and New Pathways

Support & Guidance For All New Pathways Journeys

Unbundled: Designing Personalized Pathways for Every Learner

Credentialed Learning for All

AI in Education

For more, see Publications |  Books |  Toolkits

Microschools

New learning models, tools, and strategies have made it easier to open small, nimble schooling models.

Horizon Three (H3) Learning

Focused on charting and defining the future-ready education system we need to serve and prepare all learners.

Difference Making

Focusing on how making a difference has emerged as one of the most powerful learning experiences.

New Pathways

This campaign will serve as a road map to the new architecture for American schools. Pathways to citizenship, employment, economic mobility, and a purpose-driven life.

Green Schools

The climate crisis is the most complex challenge mankind has ever faced . We’re covering what edleaders and educators can do about it. 

Schools Worth Visiting

We share stories that highlight best practices, lessons learned and next-gen teaching practice.

View more series…

About Getting Smart

Getting smart collective, impact update, 7 real-world issues that can allow students to tackle big challenges.

Ever since I started teaching in 1990, I have been a student voice advocate. Whether it was as a media/English teacher, student leadership advisor or a site leader. I have always believed that students not only have good ideas, but that they may just have new, unique or even better ones. In an effort to find their own voice and place in the world, they may see things that we don’t see or have long been paralyzed to do anything about. In 1999, I saw students address a school’s racial divide and cultural issues by creating a school-wide learning experience (see Harmony at Buchanan High School ). Ever since then, I have believed that projects with real-world outcomes hold some of the greatest potential for helping students become driven, empathetic and engaged citizens. The outpouring of student voice  in the wake of the recent tragedy in Parkland, Florida, is a great example.

When we begin the project design process in PBL, we can start either with a challenging problem or question and then tie it to our standards, or we can start with our standards and connect them to a real-world challenge. This second approach is more foundational to project based learning, for many reasons, including student engagement, student voice, relevance and authenticity. But beyond that, we also do it because this is where jobs are. Jobs are created and grown as we work to address the real problems facing our world and peoples. Our students are ready to tackle the problems facing our world. They have a voice. They have the tools and resources. And they are not afraid to collaborate and form new communities poised for the problem-solving work that needs to be done.

As an educator, parent and advocate for an engaged/empowered citizenry, I could not be prouder of how the students in Parkland, Florida – along with their peers across the nation – have both found their voice, as well as changed the narrative. These students, as well as many others across the nation, are not afraid to collaborate, and use new technologies and form new professional networks in order to address our current and future challenges. Let’s be honest, our best hope of improving the status of our planet’s many issues truly lie with our youth.

With all of this in mind, there are a number of current and ongoing real-world challenges that we currently face (and probably will for a long time). I don’t like the term “problem-solving” in this context, as it implies that we can fix, cure or eradicate a problem or challenge, but by going after our problems with new solutions, we can certainly move progress forward. And in that movement, there is magic. There is innovation. There is change. There is our collective human mission: how can we creatively collaborate, critically think and communicate in ways that make our world a better place to live.

New Pathways Handbook

Over the last few years, we’ve shared hundreds of stories about connecting students to work (and skills) that matters through our blog, podcast, and various publications. To synthesize these key learnings, we compiled the New Pathways Handbook, a great jumping-off point to our numerous resources and launchpad for getting started with pathways.

Our students are ready to exercise their collective voices and create calls to action. The following seven ideas are not ranked, but are rather my go to “top seven” that naturally lend themselves to projects that excite student interest, rely on available resources, and maintain relevance and authenticity. Moreover, they are not subject-specific. Indeed, there are many opportunities for English, science, social science, math and others to connect to these project challenges. They are:

1) Climate Change – Climate Change will have a significant impact on our students’ lives. Indeed, there may not be one issue that will impact them more comprehensively. Students have seen the data and witnessed the changes, and are listening to the science community. They know that this an urgent issue that will affect almost everything, including, but not limited to, weather, sea levels, food security, water quality, air quality, sustainability and much more. Many organizations – such as NASA , The National Park Service , National Center for Science Education , National Oceanic Atmospheric Association  and SOCAN  to name a few – are working to bring climate change curriculum and projects to teachers and students.

2) Health Care  – Since this has become a prominent topic in the national debate, students are becoming aware of the issues in our country related to rising costs, access, quality and equity. They are beginning to understand the importance both individually and societally. Like the aforementioned topic of climate change, students are also (and unfortunately) learning that we are not necessarily leading the world in this area. They know that this problem is connected to profits, insurance, bureaucracy and more, but they also have a fresher sense of how it could be different, and how we could learn from others around the world. The work on this topic, like many others, is being led by our universities. Institutions such as University of Michigan , Johns Hopkins  and Stanford are leading the way.

3) Food Insecurity   – as our students become more aware of their surrounding communities, as well as the peers they interact with daily, they begin to see differences. Differences in socioeconomic status, opportunities for growth, housing, security, support services and more. And since 13 million young people live in food-insecure homes, almost all of our students, as well as educators, know someone who is hungry on a daily basis. This may often start with service-based projects, but can also lead to high quality project based learning complete with research, data analysis, diverse solutions and ultimately a variety of calls to action. If you want to see how one teacher and his students transformed not only their school, but entire community related to food insecurity, check out Power Of A Plant author Stephen Ritz and the Green Bronx Machine .

4) Violence  – This is a natural given current events taking the nation by storm. However, the related topics and issues here are not new. And yes, they are politically charged, but young people care about these issues . They care about their collective safety and futures, but also know something can be done. In addition to the specifics related to school violence and safety, students can study details of how to advocate, organize, campaign and solicit support, learn that this is a complex problem that has many plausible causes, and, perhaps most importantly, hope for progress. They also know that although they are concerned about attending school in safe environments, our society and culture have violence-related problems and issues that they want to see addressed. Following the recent incident in Florida and the subsequent response from students, the New York Times has compiled a list of resources  for educators on this topic.

5) Homelessness  – We often hear the expression “think globally, act locally.” The topic of homelessness has garnered more attention than ever as more and more communities wrestle with a growing homeless population. In addition to opportunities for our students and schools to partner with local non-profit organizations dealing with homelessness, this topic, like others, is also a great way to elicit empathy in our students. We often hear from educators, employers and others that we want to raise adults that are able to solve problems, improve our communities, and have the ability to see beyond themselves. This topic can provide a number of options for helping students develop those skills. Finally, we also have a growing population of homeless students. So, the relevancy and urgency are all there. Many have laid the groundwork for us to address this within our curriculum. Organizations like Bridge Communities , National Coalition For The Homeless , Homeless Hub  and Learning To Give  are some of the many leading the way.

6) Sustainability  – This is an extremely global issue that affects everything from energy, to food, to resources, economics, health, wellness and more. Students are becoming more and more aware that our very future as a species depends on how we address sustainability challenges. They are aware that this challenge requires new ways of thinking, new priorities, new standards and new ways of doing things. Sustainability is all about future innovation. Students have tremendous opportunities to collaborate, think critically, communicate, and be creative when questioning if a current practice, method, resource or even industry is sustainable without dramatic change and shifts. Students who tackle these challenges will be our leaders – business, political and cultural – of the future. Educators and students can find almost infinite resources and partners. A few of these are Green Education Foundation , Green Schools Initiative , Strategic Energy Innovations , Facing the Future  and Teach For America .

7) Education  – It seems that each and every day, more and more of us (though maybe still not enough) are moving closer to realizing that our educational systems are seemingly unprepared to make the big shifts needed to truly address the learning needs of 21st-century students. The related challenges are many – new literacies, skills, economic demands, brain research, technology, outcomes and methodologies. It’s a good thing that more and more people – both inside and outside of education – are both demanding and implementing change. However, one of the continued ironies within education is that we (and I recognize that this is a generalization) rarely ask the primary customer (students) what they think their education should look, feel and sound like. We have traditionally underestimated their ability to articulate what they need and what would benefit them for their individual and collective futures. One of the many foundational advantages of project based learning is that we consult and consider the student in project design and implementation. Student “voice & choice” creates opportunities for students to have input on and make decisions regarding everything from the final product, to focus area within a topic or challenge, and even whom they may partner with from peers to professionals. It’s this choice that not only helps elicit engagement and ownership of learning, but offers opportunities for students to enhance all of the skills that we want in our ideal graduates. As one might guess, there is not a lot of formal curriculum being developed for teachers to lead students through the issue of education reform. This may need to be an organic thing that happens class by class and school by school. It can start as easily as one teacher asking students about what they want out of their education. Some other entry points are The Buck Institute for Education , Edutopia’s Five Ways To Give Your Students More Voice & Choice , Barbara Bray’s Rethinking Learning  and reDesign .

This is not intended to be an exhaustive or comprehensive list. However, these seven broad topics present hundreds of relevant challenges that our students can and should have opportunities to address. If they do, they will not only be more prepared for their futures, but also poised to positively impact all of our futures.

For more, see:

• High Quality PBL Case Study: School21
• In Broward County, Student Voice Impacts the Classroom and Beyond
• Introducing a Framework for High Quality Project Based Learning

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Michael Niehoff

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