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🔧 Project-Based Learning (PBL) Template

This template is designed for extended projects (1-4 weeks) that allow students to deeply engage with C-STREAM concepts while integrating Catholic values and service to others.

📋 Project Overview

Project Title: [Enter Title]

Grade Level: ☐ K ☐ 1-3 ☐ 4-6 ☐ 7-8

Duration: [Number] weeks / [Number] class periods

Driving Question:

"[Frame project as a compelling question that integrates STEM and faith/service]"

Example: "How can we use engineering to help our community care for God's creation?"

🎯 Project Goals

Essential Question (Faith-Integrated)

[A question that connects STEM learning to Catholic values and real-world application]

STEM Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will: 1. [Specific STEM skill/knowledge] 2. [Specific STEM skill/knowledge] 3. [Specific STEM skill/knowledge]

Faith Integration Goals

Students will understand: 1. [How STEM connects to Catholic teaching] 2. [How to use STEM skills to serve others] 3. [The harmony between faith and reason]

21st Century Skills Focus

Primary skills developed:

  • ☐ Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

  • ☐ Communication & Presentation

  • ☐ Collaboration & Teamwork

  • ☐ Creativity & Innovation

  • ☐ Self-Direction & Time Management

🙏 Catholic Integration Framework

The "Why" Behind the Project

"Why do we do science and engineering? Not to make as much money as we can... but to build up our brothers and sisters in Christ."

Service Connection: [Explain how this project serves others or cares for creation]

Catholic Social Teaching Alignment

Check all that apply:

  • ☐ Life and Dignity of the Human Person

  • ☐ Call to Family, Community, and Participation

  • ☐ Rights and Responsibilities

  • ☐ Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

  • ☐ Dignity of Work and Rights of Workers

  • ☐ Solidarity

  • ☐ Care for God's Creation

Scripture Foundation

"[Relevant Scripture verse]" — [Reference]

Catholic Scientist Connection

[Name a Catholic scientist whose work relates to this project. See Catholic Scientists Heritage]

How to integrate: [Brief suggestion for incorporating their story]

📅 Project Timeline

Phase 1: Launch & Wonder (Day/Week 1)

Purpose: Spark curiosity and establish the driving question

Activity Duration Description
Opening Prayer & Wonder 10 min [Specific prayer and wonder question]
Entry Event 20 min [Engaging hook activity]
Driving Question Introduction 15 min [How to present the challenge]
Know/Need to Know 15 min [Students identify what they know and need to learn]

Faith Integration: [How faith is woven into the launch]

Phase 2: Research & Learning (Days/Weeks 2-3)

Purpose: Build knowledge and skills needed for the project

Learning Activity Duration STEM Focus Faith Integration
[Activity 1] [Time] [Skills] [Connection]
[Activity 2] [Time] [Skills] [Connection]
[Activity 3] [Time] [Skills] [Connection]
[Activity 4] [Time] [Skills] [Connection]

Workshops/Mini-Lessons: 1. [Topic 1] 2. [Topic 2] 3. [Topic 3]

Expert Connections:

  • Guest speaker (parish, community, industry)

  • Virtual field trip

  • Video/reading from Catholic scientist

Phase 3: Create & Iterate (Days/Weeks 3-4)

Purpose: Design, build, test, and improve

Step Student Actions Teacher Role
Design [What students do] [Facilitation approach]
Prototype [What students do] [Support provided]
Test [What students do] [Assessment approach]
Iterate [What students do] [Feedback method]

Collaboration Structure:

  • Team size: [Number]

  • Roles: [List roles within teams]

  • Accountability: [How to ensure all participate]

Catholic Values in Collaboration:

  • Respect for each person's dignity and contribution

  • Helping teammates who struggle (solidarity)

  • Honest, kind communication

  • Celebrating others' successes

Phase 4: Present & Reflect (Final Days)

Purpose: Share learning and celebrate

Presentation Format:

  • ☐ Classroom presentation

  • ☐ Gallery walk

  • ☐ Video/digital presentation

  • ☐ Community showcase

  • ☐ School-wide fair

  • ☐ Parish presentation

Audience:

  • Classmates

  • Other grade levels

  • Parents/families

  • Parish community

  • Community partners

Reflection Activities: 1. [Individual reflection on learning] 2. [Team reflection on collaboration] 3. [Faith reflection on service and purpose]

🔧 Project Requirements

Student Deliverables

Deliverable Description Assessment
1. [Product/Creation] [What students create] [How assessed]
2. [Documentation] [Process journal, notes] [How assessed]
3. [Presentation] [How they share] [How assessed]
4. [Reflection] [Faith/service reflection] [How assessed]

Quality Criteria

Students must demonstrate: 1. STEM Mastery: [Specific criteria] 2. Faith Integration: [Specific criteria] 3. Service Connection: [Specific criteria] 4. Collaboration: [Specific criteria] 5. Communication: [Specific criteria]

📚 Materials and Resources

Physical Materials

Item Quantity Source Cost
[Material 1] [#] [CSCOE/School] [Free/$]
[Material 2] [#] [Source] [Cost]

Technology

  • [Device/software 1]

  • [Device/software 2]

  • [Online resource]

Reference Materials

  • [Books/articles]

  • [Videos]

  • [Catholic resources]

CSCOE STEM Inventory Items

  • [Item 1]

  • [Item 2]

  • [Item 3]

✅ Assessment Framework

Formative Assessment (Ongoing)

Checkpoint What to Assess Method
Daily [Quick check] [Observation/exit ticket]
Phase 1 [Understanding of challenge] [Discussion/writing]
Phase 2 [Knowledge building] [Quiz/demonstration]
Phase 3 [Progress on creation] [Check-in/prototype review]

Summative Assessment

Use Student Project Rubric

Scoring Categories: | Category | Weight | Criteria | |----------|--------|----------| | STEM Content | [%] | [Key criteria] | | Faith Integration | [%] | [Key criteria] | | Process/Collaboration | [%] | [Key criteria] | | Final Product | [%] | [Key criteria] | | Presentation | [%] | [Key criteria] |

Self & Peer Assessment

Students complete:

  • Individual reflection journal

  • Team collaboration assessment

  • Peer feedback forms

🤝 "Hands and Feet of Christ" Service Component

Service Learning Integration

Who does this project serve? [Identify the beneficiary – community members, the environment, specific groups]

How will students see the impact? [Describe how students witness their work helping others]

Reflection Questions: 1. How does this project demonstrate love for our neighbor? 2. How are we caring for God's creation through this work? 3. What would Jesus think about how we used our talents? 4. How can we continue serving others beyond this project?

Community Connection Options

  • Partner with a parish ministry

  • Present to community organization

  • Donate final products

  • Create resources for others to use

  • Solve a real community problem

🔗 Cross-Curricular Integration

Subject Integration Plan

Subject Integration Activities
Religion [Connection] [Specific activities]
Math [Connection] [Specific activities]
Language Arts [Connection] [Specific activities]
Social Studies [Connection] [Specific activities]
Art [Connection] [Specific activities]
Music [Connection] [Specific activities]

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family & Community Engagement

Parent Communication

  • Project launch letter

  • Weekly progress updates

  • Invitation to final presentation

  • Volunteer opportunities

Family Extension Activities

  1. [Activity families can do at home]
  2. [Discussion questions for family]
  3. [Resource for further exploration]

Community Partners

Partner Role Contact
[Organization 1] [How they help] [Info]
[Organization 2] [How they help] [Info]

📊 Teacher Planning Notes

Preparation Checklist

  • Materials gathered

  • Technology tested

  • Expert speakers confirmed

  • Parent communication sent

  • Assessment tools ready

  • Space/room prepared

  • Groups assigned (if applicable)

Potential Challenges & Solutions

Challenge Proactive Solution
[Challenge 1] [Solution]
[Challenge 2] [Solution]
[Challenge 3] [Solution]

Differentiation Plan

For students needing support:

  • [Modification 1]

  • [Modification 2]

For advanced learners:

  • [Extension 1]

  • [Extension 2]

For diverse learners:

  • [Accommodation 1]

  • [Accommodation 2]

📝 Post-Project Reflection (Teacher)

Project Success Indicators

  • Students achieved STEM learning goals

  • Faith was meaningfully integrated

  • Students made service connections

  • 21st century skills were developed

  • Students engaged with wonder and curiosity

What Worked Well

Areas for Improvement

Student Feedback Summary

Modifications for Future

✨ PBL Success Factor Alignment

Verify your project incorporates:

Faith-Reason Integration ✓

  • Faith and science as complementary throughout

  • Scripture/Catholic teaching woven in

  • Wonder and curiosity cultivated

Service Orientation ✓

  • Clear connection to serving others

  • Catholic Social Teaching alignment

  • Real beneficiaries identified

Hands-On Learning ✓

  • Students actively creating/building

  • Multiple iterations and improvements

  • Authentic, real-world challenge

21st Century Skills ✓

  • Meaningful collaboration required

  • Critical thinking embedded

  • Communication opportunities

Catholic Heritage ✓

  • Catholic scientists/Church contributions acknowledged

  • History of faith and science explored

Community Connections ✓

  • Parish, family, or community involvement

  • Real audience for student work

  • Lasting impact beyond classroom

Template Version: 2.0
Framework: C-STREAM
Based on: NCEA STREAM Characteristics & Project-Based Learning Best Practices