New Project-Based Learning Program at Insight Academy
Insight Academy aims to expand its curriculum by launching a new project-based learning program.
Insight Academy continues its commitment to dynamic education with the launch of a new Project-Based Learning (PBL) and STEM program. Project-based learning offers a host of benefits to a variety of students during the academic day. With the welcomed hiring of PBL/STEM Coordinator Molly Jeffrey, the academy hopes to equip students with the skills needed to be successful adults.
For those unfamiliar with project-based learning, PBL is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging, and complex challenge. Students are presented with real-world problems and situations as well as projects that are important to them. PBL is also a great tool for meaningful inclusion because each of its project design elements and teaching practices are aimed at creating the kind of engaging and dynamic learning environment that is also known to best serve students with a wide range of barriers. While working on projects, students practice soft skills, such as creative and critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. The projects provide opportunities for them to use these skills in real-time and in real settings. PBL allows for students to shine in their own way, says Jeffrey, even in ways they may have never had the opportunity to shine before.
Jeffrey, who holds a BA in Elementary Education from John Carroll University and an MAEd in Mild/Moderate Educational Needs from Baldwin Wallace University, has extensive experience in general education, as an intervention specialist, and in STEM programming. Before coming to Insight, she was recruited to be a member of two different teams to develop STEM programs, first in Parma City Schools and later in North Ridgeville City Schools at Ranger High-Tech Academy. While Jeffrey was in North Ridgeville, her school received both STEM and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) designation from the Ohio Department of Education.
Jeffrey is excited to join Insight as the PBL/STEM Coordinator because it meshes her two passions: special education and project-based learning. “It’s an opportunity to do something unique with all that I have learned throughout my career,” she says. And she has big plans for Insight Academy’s PBL/STEM program.
Through various projects and design challenges, Insight Academy students will strengthen their ability to plan ahead before acting, persevere through challenges, communicate effectively and appropriately with others, and view mistakes as learning opportunities. They can build confidence and self-esteem by sharing their skills and knowledge with others, better equipping them for different situations, both inside and outside of school.
The students’ first major project will be to design a mascot for the Academy. The mascot will be used to create motivational posters, apparel, keepsakes, and, among other things, used for an eventual eSports team. The Social Emotional Learning (SEL) students will serve as mentors to the Intensive Needs (IN) students while creating, sorting, folding, and packaging the items they create. Students will then sell these items to support the growth of the program.
The PBL/STEM program will also contain a FabLab, which will eventually be outfitted with a variety of equipment, including a Cricut Maker, Omtech 55W CO2 Laser Engraver, Roland Large Format Printer, and Bambu 3D Printer to enhance the students’ learning. Jeffrey intends to add robotics, such as Sphero, Ozobot, and Lego Spike, to provide more opportunities for creative problem solving, collaboration, and communication. This equipment will be obtained through grant writing, sponsorships from community partners, and crowdfunding campaigns like the one below.
Some classes have already worked through specific engineering design challenges, Jeffrey says, such as building a tower with straws and Play-Doh and building a house from various materials like wooden cubes, magnet blocks, or pipe cleaners. Ultimately, her main goal is to support Insight Academy’s students with PBL and STEM curriculum to help prepare them for the future.
To help the students get started with adding robotics to the program, check out their PledgeCents fundraiser.