HOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BLUEPRINTS FOR PBL FOUNDATION COMPONENTS SOFTWARE FOR STEM BASED PBL
         
Foundation Components for PBL

The following sites could be used as a foundation to build a PBL unit. Perhaps you'll just want to use a portion of the site for a product, lesson, lecture, video, simulation, or activity in a new or existing PBL unit. While many focus on competition... remember that you do not have to compete, although it could be fun. Look at it as a giant smorgasbord of resources ready to be served up in building a STEM based PBL unit.

Great site loaded with resources, standards, and ideas. Either compete or just use the resources that are provided. Applicable to all levels of K-12 education.
Awesome and inspiring challenges involving bio-designed scientific inventions, sports on Mars, and detective science. Be sure to check ou the great podcasts listed in Pulse of the Planet.
Great resource for students in K-8. Lessons, multi-media, and other materials that can be incorporated into PBL units.
Great Project Based Learning Activity incorporating STEAM along with Language Arts and Social Studies. Engage students with Sim City Software, model building, and a new curriculum designed to integrate disciplines.
Wow, what an awesome set of free digital curricula filled with multi-media, simulations, readings, class activities, and projects! Check out that roller coaster simulation just to name one!
Vast amount of lessons, multimedia and activities, along with webinars, that are some of the finest for both student learning and teacher professional development.
A huge database that will engage students with its colorful and student centered interface. Make sure to check all the links, including all the STEM resources found in the T eacher Resource area.
A great collection of teacher resources, instructional materials, assessment, and up-to-date research regarding STEM.
The National Science Digital Library has some outstanding resources that include numerous links to some great STEM programs and organizations.
Design Squad Nation Another great service from PBS filled with some entertaining and engaging ways to integrate STEM into any classroom.
Museum of Science Great database to search for lessons and ideas involving science, math, engineering from one of the finest science museums located in Boston.
Discover Engineering Let your students discover engineering in some very exciting and engaging ways. From skateboards to roller coasters, the activities and videos will bring you back for more.
ACSEville The civil engineers at ASCEville have some amazing simulations, games, and adventures for your students. Have you ever built a gum drop dome or a paper bridge? Check it out... you may not want to leave!
Google Science Fair How about a virtual science fair that can go beyond your classroom, district, state, and even nation? This is an event that will turn on the 21st century skills and the new common core!
KhanAcademy Ready to flip the STEM classroom? Then check out these thousands of videos from Khan! Every area of Science and Math can be explored in short informative video clips. Either do a total flip or just reinforce skills in a short student controlled lesson.
TeachersDomain Want to continue doing a flip? Then visit this site from WGBH, a PBS station in Boston. You will find videos, activities, and simulations! Best of all, you can archive it in your own classroom at the Teachers Domain Site.
PBS Teachers Brand new site filled with lots of resources and videos. Search by grade level and curriculum area. Teachers can create an online classroom filled with outstanding and engaging material.
Wolframalpha Not your typical search engine. This is a computational search engine that is a plus for any STEM educator. It is easy to use and its ability to find data is just plain fun!
Ciese Dedicated to improving K-12 STEM Education through the meaningful and effective integration of technology, CIESE fosters the use of research-based instructional methodologies and technologies to improve and pioneer novel technologies to explore and better understand their impact on improved education and society.
Cases Online A collection of inquiry-based lessons to engage exploring the science behind real-world problems. Promotes self-directed and life-long learners, critical thinkers and keen problem solvers. Cases are grounded in Problem-Based Learning (PBL), Investigative Case-Based Learning (ICBL).
Physics Online Check out the projects link for some ideas that just might start a project.
Molecules Matters Provides PBL instruction and support for students and teachers with an emphasis on nanotechnology.


If you have any questions, please email vitaled@watertown.k12.wi.us.