Educators Blog

Career-Focused PBL

A school district uses project-based learning to introduce students to a variety of careers starting in kindergarten.

In Kankakee, Illinois, students begin exploring future careers as soon as they start kindergarten. By engaging in project-based […]

UbD & PBL: Maximizing the Learning Process

An experienced educator shares insights on the importance of following the UBD framework to effectively implement the PBL process.  

I have long been a passionate follower of Understanding by Design (UbD) and the work of Jay McTighe and Grant […]

Let Students Take Control of Their Learning

At Kankakee School District, we asked our students the question, "What was your most memorable moment in school?" More than 90% of their responses reflected a project they created on their own, and the relationship they had with a teacher during it. […]

Project-Based Learning Is Just the Beginning

A district is preparing its students for the future by focusing on the skills and connections students will need in their careers.

Having a job may seem a lifetime away for a child, but by exposing them to different career paths, we can get them […]

7 Compelling Reasons to Involve Students in STEM

“STEM literacy has a profound and growing impact on our day-to-day lives. It helps us make critical decisions about our health care, our finances and our retirement. It illuminates the ever more complex issues that govern the future of our […]

Why STEM Subjects Are More Important Now Than Ever

Increasing globalization and digitization in the modern world have caused a higher demand for skilled workers in STEM jobs and careers. At a time when cryptocurrencies are turning the world of finance on its head, virtual reality or VR is being […]

Tips for Gearing Up for STEM in the Fall

Happy summer, filled with lots of good sunshine and time to explore! And during that prized time, perhaps your STEM preparation for the coming fall is ramping up – or will be soon.

If you taught STEM this past school year, you may be searching for […]

Top 5 STEM Education Articles of May

Each month, we list articles on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and project-based learning (PBL) that we find exceptionally inspiring and educational. These news stories support Defined STEM’s mission of […]

To Connect Classes to Careers, Consider Erasing Grade Levels

Back in the early 1900s, John Dewey promoted the “learning by doing”approach to education, which would later become the foundation of project-based learning (PBL). This framework allows for students to use knowledge from all areas of study to […]