Blog Post #10: What Was Left Out?

Overall I learned a great deal about project based learning (PBL) this semester.  Being a high school math teacher, I am interested in learning how schools are applying the concepts we learned about PBL to high school math classrooms.  The majority of the examples and videos we watched were about PBL at the elementary level.  Based on this, I created the following assignment:

Search YouTube to find an example of a high school that uses PBL to teach high school math (Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, or Calculus).  Embed the video in your blog and discuss how the school has used PBL to teach high school math.




Sammamish High School is in Washington near Seattle

• Math teachers express apprehension about changing to PBL but are working together to redesign courses.
• Trial and error is part of the process.
• PBL is not part of every math concept taught.
• Teachers and students are enthusiastic about the PBL that has been incorporated into the math curriculum.
• The school is in year 3 of 5 of a complete transition to PBL.

If you would like to learn more about project based learning at Sammamish High School, more videos and information can be found in the following Edutopia blog series Sammamish High School PBL Blog Series.