An Introduction to

Project-Based
Learning

By Pete Briger
Caliber Schools offers a free, nonselective college
preparatory education to Bay Area students. Its public
charter schools strive to provide an innovative, modern
learning experience, emphasizing the importance of
technology and utilizing project-based learning (PBL)
strategies in their science and social studies curriculum.
The project-based learning curriculum aims to inspire a
lifelong passion for education by giving students the
opportunity to explore pertinent real-world problems.
Faced with authentic challenges that may relate to their
environment, the community, or their daily lives, students
draw on their critical thinking skills to develop solutions
that are applicable outside the classroom. PBL models
drive students to master core curriculum standards
through investigation and discovery rather than traditional
instruction and repetition. The student-driven curriculum
drives teamwork and collaboration, and while the teacher
plays the role of guide and facilitator, students make
decisions and conclusions on their own. PBL strategies
also incorporate multifaceted assessment, in which

teachers evaluate students progress on an ongoing basis

and encourage self-assessment and revision.
Research has shown that the unique, experiential
education offered by PBL models helps to increase
information retention and improves students test
performance. Additionally, it has been shown to boost
teamwork and problem-solving skills while encouraging a
positive attitude toward learning as a whole.