2016 CEA Convention

Project-Based Learning engages students in their learning. The two presentations will cover "The Winter Greenhouse" and "Magnetism". South Olive Christian is a very small multi-age middle school, which had basically no funding. Using the principles used from experience as a principal of a New Tech PBL high school, teaching students to create community partners, family partners, and do authentic research proves effective. The group had seeds donated by DeBruyn Seed Company along with thermometers and rain gauges. Students located a donated greenhouse frame. After accepting discarded plastic from four different greenhouses and donated wood, a greenhouse was finally completed. Students planted September 11, and took their final harvest on January 11. A historical connection to the Homestead Act connected history, literature, and finances.

Magnetism PBL presentation covers the STREAM approach of teaching the physics sources of energy. Magnetism is critical in understanding chemical energy, mechanical energy, and electrical energy. Students begin a project completing a number of connected magnet based experiments, connecting these to understanding the Earth as a magnet, the solar system, truth and fiction behind science fiction. Students progress from making a motor, to making vehicles, circuits, appliances, and then working towards inventions.The Magnetism PBL covers the sources of energy, with magnetism being a major connecting source. Students demonstrate a number of magnetic experiments which finally lead them to the understanding of creating a simple motor, using a DC motor to create a motorized car from a ruler, and dollar store finds.

Additional learning included understanding magnetism in atoms, chemicals, the earth as a magnet, and the solar system.