I have been a high school experiential educator for over a decade, and my dominant approach has been self-directed project-based learning. Students design and execute their projects from start to finish with my guidance. But it's not perfect. That is the reality.
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4 Powerful Strategies for Project-Based Learning Culture-Building to Boost Classroom Success8/11/2025  One of the most critical parts of project-based learning (PBL), especially when it’s student-led, is building a strong PBL culture. You and/or students can design an incredible PBL experience, but without a solid PBL culture to support it, that plan will remain just an idea.
What is project-based learning? What is self-directed learning, and how is self-directed project-based learning different than standard PBL? Why is self-directed project-based learning important for learners?
Get your answers! Start here.  “What are some effective group work strategies for students?” I’m asked this question a lot, and understand it well as a project-based educator. I’ve been through the ups and downs that come along with group projects, and as a result, have developed some group work strategies for effective collaboration. Let’s take a look.
 One of the questions I’m asked most often is whether I can share real examples of project-based learning, especially ones designed and led by students. That’s exactly what this blog post does. Keep reading to see PBL examples created and carried out by my high school students and even my own elementary-aged kids at home.
 What is project-based learning schools? Project-based learning is taking the world by storm. Student-led project-based learning in schools could revolutionize education as we know it, instilling in learners a lifelong passion for learning and preparing them for the future. How can you and your school get on that bandwagon? Let's take a look.
 What does experiential learning mean? How can experiential learning be used in the classroom? What are some characteristics of experiential learning? What is the experiential learning cycle? I get these questions a lot, so clear some things up!
Spring is the perfect time of year for citizen science! It's warming up outside, students are getting antsy and exhausted, testing is underway, and breaks are badly needed.
On top of that, things start to get active in the world of wildlife, especially in temperate regions like Minnesota. Animals emerge from hibernation, migrating species begin their long journeys to their summer sanctuaries, and it's breeding season for many organisms. 
If you were to ask me, "How can I make my high school summer school class fun, engaging, and personally meaningful?" (and not just for the kids), I would say to make personalized, self-directed project-based learning the foundation of your high school summer school class! Why? Let's take a look.
 About ten years ago I picked up a book called "Half the Sky". Within the first chapter I read this quote: "More than 100 million women are missing..." at any given time. This is because of trafficking, gendercide, domestic violence, etc. This quote, and this book, really struck me. I mentioned it, and the PBS documentary that goes along with it, to a few of my high school students.
They were interested, largely because many of the issues resonated with them personally. These students led project-based learning experiences on some of the issues and shared their final products with the school community. |
Blog IntentTo provide innovative educational resources for educators, parents, and students, that go beyond lecture and worksheets. AuthorSara Segar, experiential life-science educator and advisor, curriculum writer, and mother of two. 
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