<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Project-Based Learning Archives - Secondary Sparks</title>
	<atom:link href="https://secondarysparks.com/category/project-based-learning/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>https://secondarysparks.com/category/project-based-learning/</link>
	<description>A Teaching Blog</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Mon, 21 Apr 2025 14:24:20 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en-US</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>
	hourly	</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>
	1	</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1</generator>

<image>
	<url>https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/cropped-SubmarkLogo-Final-32x32.png</url>
	<title>Project-Based Learning Archives - Secondary Sparks</title>
	<link>https://secondarysparks.com/category/project-based-learning/</link>
	<width>32</width>
	<height>32</height>
</image> 
<site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">189191481</site>	<item>
		<title>Beating Student Burnout: 6 Engaging Strategies for Your Science Classroom</title>
		<link>https://secondarysparks.com/beating-student-burnout/</link>
					<comments>https://secondarysparks.com/beating-student-burnout/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Michelle Rudolph]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Feb 2025 20:26:57 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Labs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Project-Based Learning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Engagement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[labs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBL]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://secondarysparks.com/?p=5789</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Feeling the mid-year burnout? You're not alone! Reignite excitement in your classroom with engaging strategies like gamified lessons, hands-on food labs, and interactive digital activities. Check out these simple and effective ways to bring energy back to your science classroom.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://secondarysparks.com/beating-student-burnout/">Beating Student Burnout: 6 Engaging Strategies for Your Science Classroom</a> appeared first on <a href="https://secondarysparks.com">Secondary Sparks</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[		<div data-elementor-type="wp-post" data-elementor-id="5789" class="elementor elementor-5789">
						<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-77a145e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="77a145e" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ad96521" data-id="ad96521" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-3fe7188 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="3fe7188" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’ve been feeling the mid-year slump lately, you’re not alone. By this point in the school year, student burnout is real. Energy levels are low, spring break feels way too far away, and the pressure of testing season is creeping in. I see you and I know how tough this stretch can be. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The good news? There are plenty of ways to shake things up and bring excitement back to your science classroom. Here are some of my favorite strategies to keep students engaged and learning, without adding more stress to your plate.</span></p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-85a93ef elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="85a93ef" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b6edfa1" data-id="b6edfa1" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-8c9526c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="8c9526c" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
					<h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">1. Gamify Learning</h2>				</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7eca51a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="7eca51a" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a89927a" data-id="a89927a" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-c53bc87 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="c53bc87" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Middle schoolers love a good competition, so why not use that to your advantage? Gamify your classroom with fun, interactive games that can make learning and test review way more exciting. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some of my favorites include: </span></p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Trashketball</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> – Students solve problems and get a shot at the trash can for bonus points.</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Mini Whiteboard Races</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> – Quick, engaging, and a great way to check for understanding. (No whiteboards? No problem! Check out my hack </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CzHbGmhRJOb/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">here</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">!)</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><b>Relay Races</b> – Take the learning outside and get students moving.</li><li aria-level="1"><a href="https://kahoot.it/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><b>Kahoot!</b></a><b>, </b><a href="https://quizizz.com/?lng=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><b>Quizizz</b></a><b>, or </b><a href="https://www.blooket.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><b>Blooket</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> – Digital games that are easy to use and packed with pre-made options.</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A little competition can go a long way in making class feel fresh and fun again while also combating student burnout.</span></p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a1b500b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="a1b500b" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-220e4ef" data-id="220e4ef" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-0e5194a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="0e5194a" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
					<h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">2. Make Science Real with Real-World Applications</h2>				</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3717ade elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="3717ade" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-20804b5" data-id="20804b5" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-54419e2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="54419e2" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sometimes students need a reminder that science isn’t just something they learn in school—it’s all around them! <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Science-Current-Events-Article-Activity-Template-Secondary-Science--5491892?utm_source=myblog&amp;utm_campaign=current%20events%20blog%20burnout" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Current events</a> in your middle school science classroom can enhance your curriculum by helping students see real-world connections. When they ask, “Why does this matter?” or “How does this relate to me?”—you’ll have the answer. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Plus, it’s a great way to incorporate literacy strategies beyond the ELA classroom. I love using current events as a monthly activity or something for early finishers. They work well for jigsaw activities, research practice, or even student presentations. You can find great science articles in places like <a href="https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Geographic</a> and <a href="https://newsela.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NewsELA</a>.</span></p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-57d79ef elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="57d79ef" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-82f96b0" data-id="82f96b0" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-2998fe5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode" data-id="2998fe5" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="shortcode.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
							<div class="elementor-shortcode"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cw0rkqfxDzL/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cw0rkqfxDzL/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cw0rkqfxDzL/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Michelle | Middle School Science Teacher (@secondarysparks)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
						</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b7b9f9a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="b7b9f9a" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c5ae94b" data-id="c5ae94b" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-0440b60 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="0440b60" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I also love using <a href="https://secondarysparks.com/why-you-should-try-project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Project-Based Learning (PBL)</a> in my classroom to give students an engaging, hands-on challenge that connects science to their everyday lives. One of my favorite PBL activities is this </span><a href="https://secondarysparks.com/sound-waves-project-based-learning-create-an-instrument/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sound Waves Project</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Properties of waves can be a tough unit for students, but with a project-based approach, you can make it digestible! </span></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Create-an-Instrument-Sound-Waves-Project-Based-Learning-for-Physical-Science-5479295" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">This activity</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> makes learning about sound waves fun, hands-on, and meaningful—going beyond a typical experiment. PBL helps students connect content to real-world applications, which boosts comprehension and retention. It also encourages collaboration, communication, and time management. Plus, students love the creative aspect of designing and building their own musical instruments to explore sound waves in action. It’s a win-win!</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The more students see science in action, the more invested they become, helping to reduce student burnout.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-78e1193 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="78e1193" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6442b2e" data-id="6442b2e" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-63e1409 elementor-grid-eael-col-1 elementor-grid-tablet-eael-col-2 elementor-grid-mobile-eael-col-1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-post-grid" data-id="63e1409" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-settings="{&quot;eael_post_grid_columns&quot;:&quot;eael-col-1&quot;,&quot;eael_post_grid_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;eael-col-2&quot;,&quot;eael_post_grid_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;eael-col-1&quot;}" data-widget_type="eael-post-grid.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
					<div id="eael-post-grid-63e1409" class="eael-post-grid-container">
            <div class="eael-post-grid eael-post-appender eael-post-appender-63e1409 eael-post-grid-style-one" data-layout-mode="masonry"><article class="eael-grid-post  eael-post-grid-column eael-pg-post-4387 category-earth-space-science-life-science-marine-science-physical-science-project-based-learning-projects tags-collaboration-coral-reefs-earth-space-science-hurricanes-life-science-marine-science-middle-school-pbl-physical-science-project-based-learning-projects-science-sound-waves" data-id="4387">
        <div class="eael-grid-post-holder">
            <div class="eael-grid-post-holder-inner"><div class="eael-entry-media"><div class="eael-entry-overlay fade-in"><i class="fas fa-long-arrow-alt-right" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://secondarysparks.com/why-you-should-try-project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science/"></a></div><div class="eael-entry-thumbnail ">
                <img decoding="async" width="300" height="156" src="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-featured-300x156.png" class="attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-4386" alt="" srcset="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-featured-300x156.png 300w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-featured-1024x532.png 1024w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-featured-768x399.png 768w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-featured-1536x799.png 1536w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-featured-600x312.png 600w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-featured.png 2000w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />
            </div>
        </div><div class="eael-entry-wrapper"><header class="eael-entry-header"><h2 class="eael-entry-title"><a class="eael-grid-post-link" href="https://secondarysparks.com/why-you-should-try-project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science/" title="Why You Should Try Project-Based Learning in Middle School Science">Why You Should Try Project-Based Learning in Middle School Science</a></h2></header><div class="eael-entry-content">
                        <div class="eael-grid-post-excerpt"><p>Project-Based Learning, or PBL, just seems to be one of...</p><a href="https://secondarysparks.com/why-you-should-try-project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science/" class="eael-post-elements-readmore-btn">Read More</a></div>
                    </div><div class="eael-entry-footer"><div class="eael-author-avatar"><a href="https://secondarysparks.com/author/michelle/"><img alt='Michelle Rudolph' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/44ab0743e98b80cdeb28b439870203fff0a17bc365ab20b3e352b3fb8f7ad2d8?s=96&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/44ab0743e98b80cdeb28b439870203fff0a17bc365ab20b3e352b3fb8f7ad2d8?s=192&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-96 photo' height='96' width='96' /></a></div><div class="eael-entry-meta"><span class="eael-posted-by"><a href="https://secondarysparks.com/author/michelle/" title="Posts by Michelle Rudolph" rel="author">Michelle Rudolph</a></span><span class="eael-posted-on"><time datetime="May 17, 2024">May 17, 2024</time></span></div></div></div></div>
        </div>
    </article></div>
            <div class="clearfix"></div>
        </div>				</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-34167a1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="34167a1" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-62e0284" data-id="62e0284" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-564ee84 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="564ee84" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
					<h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">3. Get Students Moving with Stations</h2>				</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9206eff elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="9206eff" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-beb06b0" data-id="beb06b0" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-72ba36f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="72ba36f" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p><a href="https://secondarysparks.com/creative-science-stations-ideas-and-activities-for-middle-school/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stations</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> are a great way to keep students engaged and energized throughout a lesson. Rather than having them sit through a long lecture, stations provide a dynamic and interactive learning experience. By rotating through different activities, students stay mentally and physically active, making learning more exciting and memorable.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I like to set up different stations around the room, each offering a unique activity to appeal to different learning styles. Some examples include:</span></p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Mini Lab for Hands-On Experiments</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Research Station Using Technology</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Drawing/Creating Station for Visual Learners</li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Sorting or Matching Activity</li></ul><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Read more about  the five consistently themed stations I use to bring science to life in my classroom </span><a href="https://secondarysparks.com/creative-science-stations-ideas-and-activities-for-middle-school/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">here</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">!</span></p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b70196e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="b70196e" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-aa8c88d" data-id="aa8c88d" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-4a50e3b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="4a50e3b" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="image.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
																<a href="https://secondarysparks.com/creative-science-stations-ideas-and-activities-for-middle-school/" target="_blank">
							<img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/student-burnout-blog-food-labs-1-1024x683.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-5794" alt="Beat student burnout and keep your students engaged with stations." srcset="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/student-burnout-blog-food-labs-1-1024x683.png 1024w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/student-burnout-blog-food-labs-1-300x200.png 300w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/student-burnout-blog-food-labs-1-768x512.png 768w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/student-burnout-blog-food-labs-1-600x400.png 600w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/student-burnout-blog-food-labs-1.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />								</a>
															</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-afe53b0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="afe53b0" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4418f67" data-id="4418f67" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap">
							</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-95043d0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="95043d0" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-76ad815" data-id="76ad815" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-bac2492 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="bac2492" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p>By mixing up the types of activities and learning styles, you create a classroom environment that keeps students curious, engaged, and excited for each new station. Stations help break up the monotony of traditional lessons and encourage active participation from every student.</p>								</div>
				</div>
				<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-5619b06 content-align-cta-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-cta-box" data-id="5619b06" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="eael-cta-box.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
							<div class="eael-call-to-action cta-basic bg-lite cta-preset-1">
        <h2 class="title eael-cta-heading">Ready-for-You Middle School Science Stations</h2><p>Do you need differentiated stations activities for your Middle School Science class? These ready-made bundles are a perfect way to give students a hands-on approach to learning with little prep.</p><a href="#" class="cta-button cta-preset-1  ">Get the Stations!</a>	</div>
								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-382430f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="382430f" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6e557e5" data-id="6e557e5" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-5d78e6b elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode" data-id="5d78e6b" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="shortcode.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
							<div class="elementor-shortcode"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzMlKSrxBh1/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzMlKSrxBh1/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzMlKSrxBh1/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Michelle | Middle School Science Teacher (@secondarysparks)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
						</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-256befd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="256befd" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-bd6aa88" data-id="bd6aa88" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-2f9d45a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="2f9d45a" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
					<h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">4. Keep Students Engaged with Nearpod</h2>				</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-27e6b86 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="27e6b86" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-afa9c62" data-id="afa9c62" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-bfc0dbb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="bfc0dbb" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p><a href="https://nearpod.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nearpod</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a game-changer when it comes to keeping students engaged and preventing student burnout. Instead of sticking to the usual lecture format, Nearpod lets you turn your lessons into fun, interactive experiences. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With virtual field trips, collaborative discussion boards, quizzes, and games, students stay active and excited about what’s coming next in the lesson. It mixes things up and keeps students on their toes, so they’re less likely to tune out or feel bored.</span></p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c0acc90 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="c0acc90" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-dc03994" data-id="dc03994" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-4fb3e98 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="4fb3e98" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="image.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
																<a href="https://secondarysparks.com/reasons-to-use-nearpod-in-middle-school-science/" target="_blank">
							<img decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/student-burnout-blog-nearpod-1024x683.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-5798" alt="Use Nearpod in your classroom to beat student burnout." srcset="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/student-burnout-blog-nearpod-1024x683.png 1024w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/student-burnout-blog-nearpod-300x200.png 300w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/student-burnout-blog-nearpod-768x512.png 768w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/student-burnout-blog-nearpod-600x400.png 600w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/student-burnout-blog-nearpod.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />								</a>
															</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e6886bf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="e6886bf" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4015f7e" data-id="4015f7e" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-6718541 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="6718541" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The best part? Nearpod gives you real-time feedback, so you know exactly where your students stand. If they’re struggling with something, you can address it right away. No waiting until the end of the unit to realize there’s confusion. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nearpod helps prevent burnout and keeps students motivated and excited to learn. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Want to learn more about why Nearpod is a must for middle school science? Check out </span><a href="https://secondarysparks.com/reasons-to-use-nearpod-in-middle-school-science/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">my full blog post </span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">on all the reasons why I love using it in my classroom. </span></p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f8eec48 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="f8eec48" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b757085" data-id="b757085" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-e754044 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode" data-id="e754044" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="shortcode.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
							<div class="elementor-shortcode"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2farMpRhSa/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2farMpRhSa/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2farMpRhSa/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Nearpod (@nearpod)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
						</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c636ec6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="c636ec6" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7711a6a" data-id="7711a6a" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-9aa940c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="9aa940c" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
					<h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">5. Use Food Labs as A Tasty Way to Learn</h2>				</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-36a8f25 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="36a8f25" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-862be03" data-id="862be03" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-ac06b7f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="ac06b7f" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If middle schoolers have a love language, it’s food. Nothing gets them more excited than the words “</span><a href="https://secondarysparks.com/4-fun-food-experiments-for-middle-school-science/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">food lab.</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">” These labs might be a little messy (and lead to some serious sugar rushes), but they make learning so much fun.</span></p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2ef31ae elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="2ef31ae" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7bfa514" data-id="7bfa514" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-dc35efb elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode" data-id="dc35efb" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="shortcode.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
							<div class="elementor-shortcode"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0hsGKhRFkK/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0hsGKhRFkK/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"><div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"></div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"></div></div><div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"></div> <div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"></div></div></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"></div></div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0hsGKhRFkK/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Michelle | Middle School Science Teacher (@secondarysparks)</a></p></div></blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
						</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bf10022 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="bf10022" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-945bfb5" data-id="945bfb5" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-f5b30d2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="f5b30d2" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p>These hands-on activities not only spark excitement but also help students retain key concepts in a memorable way. Plus, they get to enjoy the final product!</p><ul><li aria-level="1"><b>Ice Cream in a Bag</b> – Explore changes in states of matter and thermal energy while making ice cream.</li><li aria-level="1"><b>Plate Tectonics with Snacks</b> – Use frosting, fruit roll-ups, graham crackers, and water to model plate boundaries.</li><li aria-level="1"><b>S’mores Lab</b> – Teach conduction, convection, and radiation using marshmallows</li><li aria-level="1"><b>Moon Phases with Oreos</b> – A hands-on way to learn about moon phases. Grab the free lab here!</li></ul>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2a830ca elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="2a830ca" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-815123b" data-id="815123b" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-4cbf78f elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode" data-id="4cbf78f" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="shortcode.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
							<div class="elementor-shortcode"><div id="fd-form-6553a085ce3b485442568581"></div>
<script>
  window.fd('form', {
    formId: '6553a085ce3b485442568581',
    containerEl: '#fd-form-6553a085ce3b485442568581'
  });
</script>
</div>
						</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-81034e3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="81034e3" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-84ef693" data-id="84ef693" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-cb4df67 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="cb4df67" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
					<h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">6. Let Students Take the Lead with Choice Board Projects</h2>				</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4ba61f0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="4ba61f0" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8be9298" data-id="8be9298" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-dd82125 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="dd82125" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Want to see your students shine? Give them a </span><a href="https://secondarysparks.com/3-lessons-i-learned-from-using-science-choice-boards/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-weight: 400;">choice board project</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">! Instead of assigning the same task to everyone, let students pick from nine different ways to show what they know. Options can include:</span></p><ul><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Writing a song</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Creating a 3D model</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Recording a podcast</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Making a video</span></li><li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Designing a children’s book</span></li></ul><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://secondarysparks.com/why-you-should-use-choice-boards-in-the-middle-school-science-classroom/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Choice boards</a> allow students to play to their strengths, get creative, and take ownership of their learning. You’ll be amazed at what they come up with!</span></p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-dc4a808 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="dc4a808" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a0eba59" data-id="a0eba59" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-9ce3b80 content-align-cta-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-eael-cta-box" data-id="9ce3b80" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="eael-cta-box.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
							<div class="eael-call-to-action cta-basic bg-lite cta-preset-1">
        <h2 class="title eael-cta-heading">Low Prep Choice Boards</h2><p>Looking for some print-and-go science choice boards? Check out <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/secondary-sparks/category-choice-boards-439667">these low-prep choice boards</a> that you can use during a unit or as a review during independent work and stations.</p><a href="" target="_blank" class="cta-button cta-preset-1  ">Download Today</a>	</div>
								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-24238ee elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="24238ee" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-40bfba8" data-id="40bfba8" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-2630312 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="2630312" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If your science classroom is feeling sluggish, these strategies are just what you need to breathe new life into your lessons. Whether it’s through stations, Nearpod lessons, or fun food labs, these ideas will spark your students’ curiosity and get them excited to learn again. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mixing things up with hands-on activities keeps them engaged and helps prevent student burnout. Try a few of these approaches and watch your students rediscover their passion for science, leaving you both recharged and ready for the rest of the year!</span></p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				</div>
		<p>The post <a href="https://secondarysparks.com/beating-student-burnout/">Beating Student Burnout: 6 Engaging Strategies for Your Science Classroom</a> appeared first on <a href="https://secondarysparks.com">Secondary Sparks</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://secondarysparks.com/beating-student-burnout/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">5789</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Why You Should Try Project-Based Learning in Middle School Science</title>
		<link>https://secondarysparks.com/why-you-should-try-project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science/</link>
					<comments>https://secondarysparks.com/why-you-should-try-project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Michelle Rudolph]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2024 16:00:59 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Earth Space Science]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life science]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marine science]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Physical Science]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Project-Based Learning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Projects]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[collaboration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coral reefs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[earth space science]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hurricanes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marine science]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[middle school]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBL]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[physical science]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[project-based learning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[projects]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[science]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sound waves]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://secondarysparks.com/?p=4387</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Project-Based Learning, or PBL, just seems to be one of those buzzwords in education right now. You hear about it online, your school’s district or admin might be pushing it and you&#8217;re unsure because it feels like just another trend in education that will fade. Let me be the first to tell you that I ... <a href="https://secondarysparks.com/why-you-should-try-project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text">about  Why You Should Try Project-Based Learning in Middle School Science</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://secondarysparks.com/why-you-should-try-project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science/">Why You Should Try Project-Based Learning in Middle School Science</a> appeared first on <a href="https://secondarysparks.com">Secondary Sparks</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[		<div data-elementor-type="wp-post" data-elementor-id="4387" class="elementor elementor-4387">
						<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-18468da elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="18468da" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d8a2e82" data-id="d8a2e82" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-16c23e1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="16c23e1" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a37b86bc-7fff-a882-c543-bd5e2a4b79cc"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Project-Based Learning, or PBL, just seems to be one of those buzzwords in education right now. You hear about it online, your school’s district or admin might be pushing it and you&#8217;re unsure because it feels like just another trend in education that will fade. Let me be the first to tell you that I thought the same way when I first heard about PBL. Then, I actually tried it and it changed my entire mindset on the topic, for better. Let me tell you </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">why project-based learning in middle school science is something you should try at least once during the school year.</span></span></p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e7adc56 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="e7adc56" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-61c7014" data-id="61c7014" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-203690d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="203690d" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
					<h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">It's Not Your Average Project</h2>				</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ae1dcdc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="ae1dcdc" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-58b0cf3" data-id="58b0cf3" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-26c274e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="26c274e" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Project-based learning in middle school science is not the same as the projects you’re used to assigning in class. It’s not limited to things like edible cell models, posters of the solar system or powerpoint presentations on Newton’s laws of motion. It’s bigger and much more meaningful than that. It’s an experience students will remember. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">PBLWorks (bie.org) defines project-based learning as “a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects.” Not the vibe you get from a simple poster project or shoebox diorama, right? The focus on PBL is to relate your classroom content to the real-world. This makes it more relatable to students so that you spark their interest, make them curious and get what we all want from our middle schoolers: buy-in.</span></p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-33726b4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="33726b4" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4fb96ae" data-id="4fb96ae" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-6b8295f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="6b8295f" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="image.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
															<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-collaboration-1024x683.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4383" alt="" srcset="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-collaboration-1024x683.png 1024w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-collaboration-300x200.png 300w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-collaboration-768x512.png 768w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-collaboration-600x400.png 600w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-collaboration.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />															</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fdf9704 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="fdf9704" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7fb85e7" data-id="7fb85e7" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-1f9a7d3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="1f9a7d3" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
					<h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Real-World Relevance</h2>				</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-38f33f1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="38f33f1" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-eaecfc9" data-id="eaecfc9" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-381dab9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="381dab9" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a1702e6a-7fff-dd48-79ec-fc6be2d7a883"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">PBL takes classroom content and relates it to the real world. By having students answer a driving question that requires critical thinking and problem solving skills, you are creating a learning experience that is more meaningful to students. Once you tap into a student&#8217;s interests and align standards with it, you are likely to maintain engagement. How many times have you been asked “how does this relate to my life?” in your science class? Give them the opportunity to find the answer themselves in an authentic way.</span></span></p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-59780dc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="59780dc" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ad1b1f7" data-id="ad1b1f7" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-02fd807 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="02fd807" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
					<h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Inspire Creativity and Innovation</h2>				</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6ab3204 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="6ab3204" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f9a36c0" data-id="f9a36c0" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-a779c1b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="a779c1b" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your students have talents and abilities beyond what they demonstrate on a summative assessment. PBl offers students a chance to have some autonomy in their learning, encourages creativity and allows them to be innovative. During the OBL process, students have the chance to explore different solutions to a problem, try out new ideas and think outside the box. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As the teacher, you are the “guide on the side” during the  PBL process vs being the “sage on the stage.” The autonomy your students will have will allow them to explore learning in a way that is different from any other way they have learned before. You are tapping into students’ natural curiosity and their desire to explore.</span></p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fd1c54f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="fd1c54f" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-589ab74" data-id="589ab74" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-0aaaae4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="0aaaae4" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="image.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
															<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-innovation-1024x683.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4385" alt="" srcset="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-innovation-1024x683.png 1024w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-innovation-300x200.png 300w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-innovation-768x512.png 768w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-innovation-600x400.png 600w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-innovation.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />															</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0af64b0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="0af64b0" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-64c712e" data-id="64c712e" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-fa3a2d7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="fa3a2d7" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
					<h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">PBL Encourages Collaboration</h2>				</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-07cdff9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="07cdff9" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-80b8e68" data-id="80b8e68" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-dea412d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="dea412d" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Having students work together to answer the PBL driving question fosters collaboration because students are required to communicate, share ideas and coordinate their efforts to achieve a common goal. These are skills that are not only important in the classroom, but will follow them into their lives through adulthood.</span></p><p><b id="docs-internal-guid-1db1a1ea-7fff-e5df-527b-9f8ed0942d59" style="font-weight: normal;"> </b></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The feedback process can also be very impactful for students. By providing, and receiving feedback from their peers, students learn how to use constructive dialogue and refine their thoughts with the help of their peers. </span></p><p> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Of course, collaboration will sometimes involve conflict. Students may not always see eye to eye. It’s important for students to navigate these challenges and work to solve them appropriately. Once again, this is another skill that will follow them into adulthood. PBL promotes open communication, encourages productive working relationships and develops interpersonal skills.</span></p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d78e622 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="d78e622" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2ccdfa5" data-id="2ccdfa5" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-e3efc39 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="e3efc39" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
					<h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Your Students Will Surprise You</h2>				</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8963311 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="8963311" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-72f8b81" data-id="72f8b81" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-bc87b3a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="bc87b3a" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic',sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They will surprise you in the best way. Letting go of some of the control in the classroom and giving your students autonomy in their learning can have real benefits. You will see things in your students that you normally don’t get the opportunity to see. You will be able to see their creative skills, how they work with others to solve problems, watch them actively work to come up with a solution, revise their work and present their findings. You will learn so much about your students beyond their academic skills which can be such a rewarding experience for not only the student, but for you as the teacher as well.</span></p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d277277 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="d277277" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-634d262" data-id="634d262" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-4f6e90d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image" data-id="4f6e90d" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="image.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
															<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-feedback-1024x683.png" class="attachment-large size-large wp-image-4384" alt="" srcset="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-feedback-1024x683.png 1024w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-feedback-300x200.png 300w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-feedback-768x512.png 768w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-feedback-600x400.png 600w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science-feedback.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />															</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b7fb985 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="b7fb985" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-01f5f79" data-id="01f5f79" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-23faeea elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading" data-id="23faeea" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="heading.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
					<h2 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Have I Convinced You Yet?</h2>				</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-16242f4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="16242f4" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1992f37" data-id="1992f37" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-261c6f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="261c6f0" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I’m hoping that you are reading this and realizing that implementing project-based learning in middle school science can truly be a transformative process in your classroom, in the best way. If you’re looking to try one out for yourself but you aren’t quite ready to do all the thinking and planning yourself, check out these ready-made project-based learning activities:</span></p><p><strong>1. Create a Musical Instrument: Sound Waves Project Based Learning</strong></p><p><span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Hind Siliguri';">This is a five-part project-based learning activity for students about sound waves. This project allows students to take their knowledge of sound waves and apply it to creating their own musical instrument, advertisement for that instrument and a music video. This can be done after a unit on sound waves and energy or throughout.</span></p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4a4ef35 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="4a4ef35" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-33f41e3" data-id="33f41e3" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-6c608df elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button" data-id="6c608df" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="button.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<div class="elementor-button-wrapper">
					<a class="elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm" href="https://secondarysparks.com/product/create-an-instrument-sound-waves-project-based-learning/%20">
						<span class="elementor-button-content-wrapper">
									<span class="elementor-button-text">Get this PBL</span>
					</span>
					</a>
				</div>
								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-eabbecc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="eabbecc" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3c0c547" data-id="3c0c547" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-4c47b0f elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button" data-id="4c47b0f" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="button.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<div class="elementor-button-wrapper">
					<a class="elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm" href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Create-an-Instrument-Sound-Waves-Project-Based-Learning-5479295?utm_source=why%20you%20should%20try%20pbl%20blog&#038;utm_campaign=sound%20waves%20pbl%20">
						<span class="elementor-button-content-wrapper">
									<span class="elementor-button-text">Find on TPT</span>
					</span>
					</a>
				</div>
								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-eec138e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="eec138e" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5bc983c" data-id="5bc983c" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-526a22c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="526a22c" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p><strong>2. <span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve; color: #000000; font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif;">Hurricanes Project Based Learning: Tracking and Preparing for a Storm</span></strong></p><p>This is a Project-Based Learning activity that can be implemented in almost any science classroom for a hurricanes or severe weather unit. It is all about hurricanes. Students will learn how storm systems are tracked throughout the season, how to prepare for an approaching storm and create a PSA or newscast to help the community prepare.</p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fc4fd1f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="fc4fd1f" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c445923" data-id="c445923" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-6e76b69 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button" data-id="6e76b69" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="button.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<div class="elementor-button-wrapper">
					<a class="elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm" href="https://secondarysparks.com/product/hurricanes-project-based-learning-tracking-and-preparing-for-a-storm/%20">
						<span class="elementor-button-content-wrapper">
									<span class="elementor-button-text">Get this PBL</span>
					</span>
					</a>
				</div>
								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a67a9d6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="a67a9d6" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b5a1f97" data-id="b5a1f97" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-0734e0f elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button" data-id="0734e0f" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="button.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<div class="elementor-button-wrapper">
					<a class="elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm" href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hurricanes-Project-Based-Learning-Tracking-and-Preparing-for-a-Storm-5602520?utm_source=why%20you%20should%20try%20pbl%20blog&#038;utm_campaign=hurricanes%20pbl%20">
						<span class="elementor-button-content-wrapper">
									<span class="elementor-button-text">Find on TPT</span>
					</span>
					</a>
				</div>
								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6698a8c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="6698a8c" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d47ceed" data-id="d47ceed" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-7a6a039 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="7a6a039" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" role="presentation"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. Plastic Pollution and its Impact on the Biodiversity of Coral Reefs</span></strong></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" role="presentation"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></strong></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;" role="presentation"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Hind Siliguri';">This is a Project-Based Learning activity that can be implemented in almost any science classroom and comes with a digital google slides version. It is all about how plastic pollution has an effect on the biodiversity of the coral reefs. Students compile research, create a public service announcement and then an action plan to create a solution to this real-world problem.</span></p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a2a56d0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="a2a56d0" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c6fd634" data-id="c6fd634" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-f76e3c6 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button" data-id="f76e3c6" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="button.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<div class="elementor-button-wrapper">
					<a class="elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm" href="https://secondarysparks.com/product/plastic-pollution-and-the-coral-reef-project-based-learning/">
						<span class="elementor-button-content-wrapper">
									<span class="elementor-button-text">Get this PBL</span>
					</span>
					</a>
				</div>
								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9e5b6b7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="9e5b6b7" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-76480a5" data-id="76480a5" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-a1e802e elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button" data-id="a1e802e" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="button.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<div class="elementor-button-wrapper">
					<a class="elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm" href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Plastic-Pollution-and-the-Coral-Reef-Project-Based-Learning-5499796?utm_source=why%20you%20should%20try%20pbl%20blog&#038;utm_campaign=coral%20reefs%20pbl">
						<span class="elementor-button-content-wrapper">
									<span class="elementor-button-text">Find on TPT</span>
					</span>
					</a>
				</div>
								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c01a3ea elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="c01a3ea" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-61ae387" data-id="61ae387" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-e4af25e elementor-widget elementor-widget-html" data-id="e4af25e" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="html.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
					<div id="fd-form-655391a9eecedd600cdf2953"></div>
<script>
  window.fd('form', {
    formId: '655391a9eecedd600cdf2953',
    containerEl: '#fd-form-655391a9eecedd600cdf2953'
  });
</script>				</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				</div>
		<p>The post <a href="https://secondarysparks.com/why-you-should-try-project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science/">Why You Should Try Project-Based Learning in Middle School Science</a> appeared first on <a href="https://secondarysparks.com">Secondary Sparks</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://secondarysparks.com/why-you-should-try-project-based-learning-in-middle-school-science/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">4387</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>3 Hurricane Project Ideas &#038; Activities for Your Marine Science Unit</title>
		<link>https://secondarysparks.com/3-hurricane-project-ideas-activities-for-your-marine-science-unit/</link>
					<comments>https://secondarysparks.com/3-hurricane-project-ideas-activities-for-your-marine-science-unit/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Michelle Rudolph]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 28 Jun 2023 01:05:53 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Air-sea interactions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Earth Space Science]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hurricanes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Project-Based Learning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Weather]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[earth space science]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Extreme weather]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hurricane tracking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PBL]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://secondarysparks.com/?p=1389</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>In marine science and Earth/space science class, I love using a hurricane unit to kick off the school year. If you live in an area like Florida, Louisiana, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, or within the Atlantic Basin, you probably keep tabs on storms already. Why not bring it to your classroom? Even if you ... <a href="https://secondarysparks.com/3-hurricane-project-ideas-activities-for-your-marine-science-unit/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text">about  3 Hurricane Project Ideas &#038; Activities for Your Marine Science Unit</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://secondarysparks.com/3-hurricane-project-ideas-activities-for-your-marine-science-unit/">3 Hurricane Project Ideas &#038; Activities for Your Marine Science Unit</a> appeared first on <a href="https://secondarysparks.com">Secondary Sparks</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[		<div data-elementor-type="wp-post" data-elementor-id="1389" class="elementor elementor-1389">
						<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3102473f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="3102473f" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5ee8bba" data-id="5ee8bba" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-70b10b19 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="70b10b19" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In marine science and Earth/space science class, I love using a hurricane unit to kick off the school year. If you live in an area like Florida, Louisiana, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, or within the Atlantic Basin, you probably keep tabs on storms already. Why not bring it to your classroom? Even if you live outside that area, however, learning hurricane science is a great way to start the year off with an authentic, real-world connection. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here are some simple hurricane project ideas and activities to get you started:</span></p><h2><b>#1 Track The Hurricanes Every Day As A Warm Up</b></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is one of my favorite hurricane project ideas because it’s </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">super</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> simple to implement, and it doesn’t have to consume your class time. Each day as students come into the class, project or have students pull up </span><a href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">NOAA’s National Hurricane Center Hurricane Tracking Map</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1377 aligncenter" src="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/hurricane-tracking-map-marine-science-class-300x200.png" alt="NOAA hurrican tracking map with hurricane tracks form the 2022 hurricane season" width="431" height="287" srcset="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/hurricane-tracking-map-marine-science-class-300x200.png 300w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/hurricane-tracking-map-marine-science-class-600x400.png 600w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/hurricane-tracking-map-marine-science-class-1024x683.png 1024w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/hurricane-tracking-map-marine-science-class-768x512.png 768w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/hurricane-tracking-map-marine-science-class.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 431px) 100vw, 431px" /></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Then, have students fill in their tracking map. I like to use this </span><a href="https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/tracking_chart_atlantic.pdf"><span style="font-weight: 400;">free template from the National Hurricane Center</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Hover over the storm on NOAA’s map to find the coordinates, and then have students record it on their sheet. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To keep things in order, each storm gets tracked in a different color. If there is no activity in the Atlantic that day, we continue learning hurricane science by going over a </span><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hurricanes-Editable-Warm-Ups-5977840?utm_source=Hurricanes%20blog&amp;utm_campaign=Hurricanes%20warm%20ups"><span style="font-weight: 400;">hurricane-related question using these warm ups</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I like to keep a large map on the board so if students miss a day they can update their individual map. I’ve found this activity gets students really invested and curious about the science of hurricanes.</span></p><p>If your students need some more practice with coordinate tracking, you can try this activity <a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Latitude-and-Longitude-Mapping-Activities-and-Mini-Lesson-6036127?utm_source=Hurricane%20blog&amp;utm_campaign=Latitude%20Longitude%20Mapping">here</a>. This includes a short lesson on latitude and longitude and practice activities.</p><h2><b>#2 Teach Hurricane Science</b></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There can be a lot of mystery surrounding hurricane science, so I love to dig into it with students. We talk about what a hurricane is and how they form. We learn to identify parts of a hurricane, the classification of a storm, and more. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I teach the </span><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hurricanes-Editable-PowerPoint-Guided-Notes-and-Assessment-5952956?utm_source=Hurricanes%20blog&amp;utm_campaign=Hurricanes%20lesson"><span style="font-weight: 400;">science of hurricanes using guided notes</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Then, throughout hurricane season, we review what we’ve learned about hurricanes so far </span><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hurricanes-Task-Cards-Editable-and-Google-Forms--5958771?utm_source=Hurricanes%20blog&amp;utm_campaign=Hurricanes%20task%20cards"><span style="font-weight: 400;">using task cards</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, stations, and independent work.</span></p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1376 aligncenter" src="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/hurricane-image-for-hurricane-lesson-middle-school-300x200.png" alt="Large hurricane on a map approaching the united states" width="485" height="323" srcset="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/hurricane-image-for-hurricane-lesson-middle-school-300x200.png 300w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/hurricane-image-for-hurricane-lesson-middle-school-600x400.png 600w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/hurricane-image-for-hurricane-lesson-middle-school-1024x683.png 1024w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/hurricane-image-for-hurricane-lesson-middle-school-768x512.png 768w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/hurricane-image-for-hurricane-lesson-middle-school.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 485px) 100vw, 485px" /></p><h2><b>#3 Hurricane Project Idea: Tracking and Preparing for a Tropical Storm or Hurricane</b></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">My favorite hurricane project idea is a </span><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hurricanes-Project-Based-Learning-Tracking-and-Preparing-for-a-Storm-5602520?utm_source=Hurricanes%20blog&amp;utm_campaign=Hurricanes%20pbl"><span style="font-weight: 400;">PBL where students track and prepare for a hurricane</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Even if your students don’t live in an area where there are hurricanes, this is still great information to know (and it can open their eyes to new experiences).</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">My students are pretty familiar with the preparation during hurricane season, and yet I’m still surprised by how little students know. They think it’s all about missing school and having hurricane parties (hey, it happens in Florida). </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With this </span><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Hurricanes-Project-Based-Learning-Tracking-and-Preparing-for-a-Storm-5602520?utm_source=Hurricanes%20blog&amp;utm_campaign=Hurricanes%20pbl"><span style="font-weight: 400;">hurricane PBL</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, students will learn how to prepare for an impending hurricane and create a school-wide PSA to help others prepare for a storm. This all ties into our hurricane research, lessons, personal preparedness plans, and tracking the storms.</span></p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1370 aligncenter" src="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/3-fun-ways-to-teach-hurricanes-pin-200x300.png" alt="hurricane on a map approaching the united states with text overlay reading &quot; 3 fun ways to enhance your hurricanes unit&quot;" width="336" height="504" srcset="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/3-fun-ways-to-teach-hurricanes-pin-200x300.png 200w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/3-fun-ways-to-teach-hurricanes-pin-600x900.png 600w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/3-fun-ways-to-teach-hurricanes-pin-683x1024.png 683w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/3-fun-ways-to-teach-hurricanes-pin-768x1152.png 768w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/3-fun-ways-to-teach-hurricanes-pin-400x600.png 400w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/3-fun-ways-to-teach-hurricanes-pin.png 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 336px) 100vw, 336px" /></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I hope that even if you don’t live in an area that gets hurricanes, you can see the benefit of diving into the science behind hurricanes. Try some of these hurricane project ideas and activities to make your students more aware.</span></p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c402e40 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="c402e40" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-47b096b" data-id="47b096b" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-a1609f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html" data-id="a1609f6" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="html.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
					<div id="fd-form-6553a81fb4cfb034703a2df4"></div>
<script>
  window.fd('form', {
    formId: '6553a81fb4cfb034703a2df4',
    containerEl: '#fd-form-6553a81fb4cfb034703a2df4'
  });
</script>				</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				</div>
		<p>The post <a href="https://secondarysparks.com/3-hurricane-project-ideas-activities-for-your-marine-science-unit/">3 Hurricane Project Ideas &#038; Activities for Your Marine Science Unit</a> appeared first on <a href="https://secondarysparks.com">Secondary Sparks</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://secondarysparks.com/3-hurricane-project-ideas-activities-for-your-marine-science-unit/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1389</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>3 Lessons I Learned From Using Science Choice Boards</title>
		<link>https://secondarysparks.com/3-lessons-i-learned-from-using-science-choice-boards/</link>
					<comments>https://secondarysparks.com/3-lessons-i-learned-from-using-science-choice-boards/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Michelle Rudolph]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 28 Jun 2023 00:51:42 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Choice Boards]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Physical Science]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Project-Based Learning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Projects]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[choice menu]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[differentiation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[earth space science]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life science]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[physical science]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[student choice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Student engagement]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://secondarysparks.com/?p=1369</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>We all know giving students a choice in how they demonstrate their knowledge is key, but how exactly do you do that? With choice boards! Choice boards are a great way to increase engagement, encourage independence, and allow autonomy in your classroom. I’ve been using science choice boards with my students for several years now, ... <a href="https://secondarysparks.com/3-lessons-i-learned-from-using-science-choice-boards/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text">about  3 Lessons I Learned From Using Science Choice Boards</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://secondarysparks.com/3-lessons-i-learned-from-using-science-choice-boards/">3 Lessons I Learned From Using Science Choice Boards</a> appeared first on <a href="https://secondarysparks.com">Secondary Sparks</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[		<div data-elementor-type="wp-post" data-elementor-id="1369" class="elementor elementor-1369">
						<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6b6bd1e9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="6b6bd1e9" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2fc42de7" data-id="2fc42de7" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-705ca9bf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="705ca9bf" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">We all know giving students a choice in how they demonstrate their knowledge is key, but how exactly do you do that? With choice boards! Choice boards are a great way to increase engagement, encourage independence, and allow autonomy in your classroom. I’ve been using science choice boards with my students for several years now, and I’ve learned a few things that have improved the experience for me and my students.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here are some reasons why I am a total fan of choice boards in my science classroom:</span></p><h2><b>#1 Choice Boards Help To Build And Maintain Relationships With Students</b></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Because choice boards allow students to pick how they demonstrate their knowledge, you can learn a lot about the kids in your room! As students are working, I’m able to listen in on conversations with their peers and observe skills they might be struggling with. It’s also fun when you find out that you’ve had a secret artist in your class or that someone is highly skilled in an area they’ve never mentioned before. </span></p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-1382 aligncenter" src="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/student-choice-board-menu-for-middle-school-300x200.png" alt="Choice board on colored cardtsock with notebooks, markers and a pencil" width="389" height="259" srcset="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/student-choice-board-menu-for-middle-school-300x200.png 300w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/student-choice-board-menu-for-middle-school-600x400.png 600w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/student-choice-board-menu-for-middle-school-1024x683.png 1024w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/student-choice-board-menu-for-middle-school-768x512.png 768w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/student-choice-board-menu-for-middle-school.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 389px) 100vw, 389px" /></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I can then use this new information about students to engage with them and show them that I am interested in who they are outside of the classroom.</span></p><h2><b>#2 Science Choice Boards Made Me Evaluate My Grading And Assessment Strategy</b></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Traditional assessments can be limiting for a lot of students. Not every student is able to show what they know through multiple-choice or written response assignments. Also, many students suffer from test anxiety, which can impact their scores.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On the other hand, science choice boards are more relaxed and creative, and they allow for more open-ended assessments. When I’m grading, I make sure to look at the whole picture, not just the final product. This can actually give you a better idea of what your students know (or don’t) compared to a multiple-choice exam.</span></p><h2><b>#3 Choice Boards Allow Me To Learn About My Students’ Strengths And Weaknesses</b></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Because science choice boards allow autonomy and independence, I’m able to gain insight into what skills students lean into and which skills they may be avoiding or struggling with. Choice boards can give you a great idea of students&#8217; gaps because you can see their whole process, not just simply their final answer.</span></p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-1383 aligncenter" src="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/student-choice-projects-for-coral-reefs-300x200.png" alt="Student choice board projects from a coral reef project based learning activity" width="383" height="255" srcset="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/student-choice-projects-for-coral-reefs-300x200.png 300w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/student-choice-projects-for-coral-reefs-600x400.png 600w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/student-choice-projects-for-coral-reefs-1024x683.png 1024w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/student-choice-projects-for-coral-reefs-768x512.png 768w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/student-choice-projects-for-coral-reefs.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 383px) 100vw, 383px" /></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Using information about students’ gaps, I can make a plan to address those gaps and support my students where they need it. This can be done in a mini-lesson, small group, or while the choice boards are happening with some 1:1 intervention.</span></p><h2><b>Ready-to-Go Science Choice Boards</b></h2><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Looking for some print-and-go science choice boards? Check out these low-prep choice boards that you can use during a unit or as a review during independent work and stations.</span></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Thermal-Energy-and-Heat-Transfer-Editable-Choice-Board-5576682?utm_source=What%20I%20Learned%20from%20Choice%20Boards%20Blog&amp;utm_campaign=TE%20Choice"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thermal Energy and Heat Choice Board</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> &#8211; This editable choice board helps students apply their knowledge of conduction, convection, radiation, and thermal energy in various creative ways.</span></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Changes-in-States-of-Matter-Choice-Board-5693274?utm_source=What%20I%20Learned%20from%20Choice%20Boards%20Blog&amp;utm_campaign=CISOM%20Choice"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Changes in States of Matter Choice Board</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> &#8211; This science choice board is also editable and supports differentiation and creativity while students communicate their understanding of the changes in states of matter.</span></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Interactions-of-Light-Waves-Choice-Board-5783466?utm_source=What%20I%20Learned%20from%20Choice%20Boards%20Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Light%20Choice"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Interactions of Light Waves Choice Board</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> &#8211; Allow your middle school students to demonstrate their knowledge of interactions of light with this editable science choice board.</span></p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1385 aligncenter" src="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/what-i-learned-from-choice-boards-pin-200x300.png" alt="colorful choice menu on colorful cardstock with markers and notebook" width="284" height="426" srcset="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/what-i-learned-from-choice-boards-pin-200x300.png 200w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/what-i-learned-from-choice-boards-pin-600x900.png 600w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/what-i-learned-from-choice-boards-pin-683x1024.png 683w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/what-i-learned-from-choice-boards-pin-768x1152.png 768w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/what-i-learned-from-choice-boards-pin-400x600.png 400w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/what-i-learned-from-choice-boards-pin.png 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 284px) 100vw, 284px" /></p><p><b>Want to give choice boards a try?</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Grab this </span><a href="https://secondarysparks.ck.page/choiceboards"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Science Choice Board Freebie</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">! It can be used for any topic in your science classroom, so customize it to your current or upcoming unit.</span></p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4d50702 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="4d50702" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2625043" data-id="2625043" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-4c66583 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html" data-id="4c66583" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="html.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
					<div id="fd-form-655392c240632a07241e385e"></div>
<script>
  window.fd('form', {
    formId: '655392c240632a07241e385e',
    containerEl: '#fd-form-655392c240632a07241e385e'
  });
</script>				</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				</div>
		<p>The post <a href="https://secondarysparks.com/3-lessons-i-learned-from-using-science-choice-boards/">3 Lessons I Learned From Using Science Choice Boards</a> appeared first on <a href="https://secondarysparks.com">Secondary Sparks</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://secondarysparks.com/3-lessons-i-learned-from-using-science-choice-boards/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1369</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Sound Waves Project-Based Learning: Create an Instrument</title>
		<link>https://secondarysparks.com/sound-waves-project-based-learning-create-an-instrument/</link>
					<comments>https://secondarysparks.com/sound-waves-project-based-learning-create-an-instrument/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Michelle Rudolph]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 28 Apr 2023 18:37:36 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Project-Based Learning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waves]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[longitudinal waves]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[music pbl]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[project-based learning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[properties of waves]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sound waves]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[student research]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://secondarysparks.com/?p=1269</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Properties of waves can be a tough unit for students, but with the help of a PBL, you can make it digestible! This sound waves PBL makes learning about sound waves fun, hands-on, and meaningful. Plus, it goes beyond your typical experiment for sound waves. I’ve found using project-based activities increased student retention of the ... <a href="https://secondarysparks.com/sound-waves-project-based-learning-create-an-instrument/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text">about  Sound Waves Project-Based Learning: Create an Instrument</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://secondarysparks.com/sound-waves-project-based-learning-create-an-instrument/">Sound Waves Project-Based Learning: Create an Instrument</a> appeared first on <a href="https://secondarysparks.com">Secondary Sparks</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[		<div data-elementor-type="wp-post" data-elementor-id="1269" class="elementor elementor-1269">
						<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-402c3b5f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="402c3b5f" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5e5e762c" data-id="5e5e762c" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-1d549c03 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="1d549c03" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Properties of waves can be a tough unit for students, but with the help of a PBL, you can make it digestible! This sound waves PBL makes learning about sound waves fun, hands-on, and meaningful. Plus, it goes beyond your typical experiment for sound waves. I’ve found using project-based activities increased student retention of the material. Win-win!</span></p><h2> </h2><h2><b>Why Use a PBL for Sound Waves?</b></h2><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1271 aligncenter" src="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sound-waves-pbl-notebook-300x200.png" alt="interactive science notebook with sound waves project-based learning notebook glued in. Also properties of waves notes with microphone, pens and folders" width="480" height="320" srcset="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sound-waves-pbl-notebook-300x200.png 300w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sound-waves-pbl-notebook-600x400.png 600w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sound-waves-pbl-notebook-1024x683.png 1024w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sound-waves-pbl-notebook-768x512.png 768w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/sound-waves-pbl-notebook.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" /></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Project Based Learning (or PBL) is a teaching method that provides students the opportunity to connect their educational content to real-life problems. Making this connection is key to comprehension because students are able to see that what they’re learning in school actually matters in the real world. </span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Because of this, PBL is the perfect way to get the most out of a unit and extend your experiment for sound waves. This project makes learning about sound waves hands-on and accessible, and offers the opportunity for students to collaborate, work on their communication skills, and manage their time well. PBLs also encourage creativity, and students love that aspect.</span></p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1323 aligncenter" src="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/musical-instruments-and-sound-waves-pin-200x300.png" alt="musical performance in the background of a pin that reads &quot;teach sound waves by building musical instruments&quot;" width="286" height="429" srcset="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/musical-instruments-and-sound-waves-pin-200x300.png 200w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/musical-instruments-and-sound-waves-pin-600x900.png 600w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/musical-instruments-and-sound-waves-pin-683x1024.png 683w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/musical-instruments-and-sound-waves-pin-768x1152.png 768w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/musical-instruments-and-sound-waves-pin-400x600.png 400w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/musical-instruments-and-sound-waves-pin.png 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 286px) 100vw, 286px" /></p><p> </p><h2><b>PBL for Sound Waves</b></h2><p> </p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For this PBL, students will be creating their own musical instruments. They can base this instrument on something that already exists or get creative and design a brand-new instrument. Here’s how I organize this experiment for sound waves &#8211;</span></p><p> </p><ol><li><b>Start with research.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> To begin, have students research sound waves and transfer energy to inform their decisions when they plan the instruments. Have students jot down ideas on how different instruments work in their PBL notebooks.</span></li><li><b>Choose materials and create a prototype</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">. After research, students choose the materials they want to use to create their instrument. Students will have to think about how sound and sound waves will be affected by the materials they choose. Then, they will create a prototype of the instrument using recyclable materials.</span></li><li><b>Create a song. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">After their prototype is built, students will select a few classmates to create a band with! They will use their various instruments to write and create a song.</span></li><li><b>Record a music video</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Lastly, students will create a music video! What great band doesn’t have an epic music video to go with their own song? You can even have students perform at an assembly for some added fun.</span></li></ol><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1272 aligncenter" src="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/musical-instruments-sound-waves-pbl-300x200.png" alt="student made musical instruments made up of recycled materials" width="480" height="320" srcset="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/musical-instruments-sound-waves-pbl-300x200.png 300w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/musical-instruments-sound-waves-pbl-600x400.png 600w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/musical-instruments-sound-waves-pbl-1024x683.png 1024w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/musical-instruments-sound-waves-pbl-768x512.png 768w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/musical-instruments-sound-waves-pbl.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px" /></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The focus of this experiment for sound waves is on the construction of the instrument and understanding how the sound waves travel. Therefore, I only give them a few days to work on the song and video.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">My students love this PBL and really get to show off creativity while they delve into sound waves.</span></p><p> </p><p><b>Want to bring this Sound Waves PBL to your classroom? </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Check out the </span><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Create-an-Instrument-Sound-Waves-Project-Based-Learning-Distance-Learning-5479295"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sound Waves PBL</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> resource. This experiment on sound waves helps students </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">apply their knowledge of how sound waves work, transfer energy, and how sound waves vibrate through different types of media. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: 400;">This PBL has everything you need to pull off this engaging activity, including pages for students to record research on sound waves, handouts to plan their instrument and music video, and even a reflection sheet to reflect on their design process.</span></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Create-an-Instrument-Sound-Waves-Project-Based-Learning-Distance-Learning-5479295"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Grab the Sound Waves PBL</span></a></p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-307839e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="307839e" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c74cf4b" data-id="c74cf4b" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-ad27b8f elementor-widget elementor-widget-html" data-id="ad27b8f" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="html.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
					<div id="fd-form-65539938ce3b485442568546"></div>
<script>
  window.fd('form', {
    formId: '65539938ce3b485442568546',
    containerEl: '#fd-form-65539938ce3b485442568546'
  });
</script>				</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				</div>
		<p>The post <a href="https://secondarysparks.com/sound-waves-project-based-learning-create-an-instrument/">Sound Waves Project-Based Learning: Create an Instrument</a> appeared first on <a href="https://secondarysparks.com">Secondary Sparks</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://secondarysparks.com/sound-waves-project-based-learning-create-an-instrument/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1269</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Coral Reefs and Human Impact PBL for Middle School</title>
		<link>https://secondarysparks.com/coral-reefs-and-human-impact-pbl-for-middle-school/</link>
					<comments>https://secondarysparks.com/coral-reefs-and-human-impact-pbl-for-middle-school/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Michelle Rudolph]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 28 Apr 2023 18:23:59 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Cnidaria]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coral reefs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Guided notes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marine science]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Project-Based Learning]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Projects]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cnidarians]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Coral]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coral bleaching]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coral pbl]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[project-based learning]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://secondarysparks.com/?p=1257</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>One of the best parts of teaching science is being able to talk about real-world issues. We can help our students see how the world is impacted by our actions (the good and the bad). In this specific unit, we dive into why coral reefs are important, as well as human impact on coral reefs ... <a href="https://secondarysparks.com/coral-reefs-and-human-impact-pbl-for-middle-school/" class="more-link">Read More <span class="screen-reader-text">about  Coral Reefs and Human Impact PBL for Middle School</span></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://secondarysparks.com/coral-reefs-and-human-impact-pbl-for-middle-school/">Coral Reefs and Human Impact PBL for Middle School</a> appeared first on <a href="https://secondarysparks.com">Secondary Sparks</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[		<div data-elementor-type="wp-post" data-elementor-id="1257" class="elementor elementor-1257">
						<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2e857009 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="2e857009" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-481f9943" data-id="481f9943" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-122a6284 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="122a6284" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
									<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the best parts of teaching science is being able to talk about real-world issues. We can help our students see how the world is impacted by our actions (the good and the bad). In this specific unit, we dive into why coral reefs are important, as well as human impact on coral reefs and how plastic pollution affects them.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This isn’t some scientific theory that is hard for students to grasp &#8211; it’s happening </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">right now</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">. And through units like this, we can help students understand our world better and maybe even become advocates for change! To make this unit interactive and hands-on, I like to use project-based learning.</span></p><p> </p><h2><b>Before starting the PBL</b></h2><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1258 aligncenter" src="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Coral-reef-task-cards-brochure-and-notes-300x200.png" alt="coral reefs task cards on a table with coral reef notes and a coral reef disease brochure" width="479" height="319" srcset="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Coral-reef-task-cards-brochure-and-notes-300x200.png 300w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Coral-reef-task-cards-brochure-and-notes-600x400.png 600w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Coral-reef-task-cards-brochure-and-notes-1024x683.png 1024w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Coral-reef-task-cards-brochure-and-notes-768x512.png 768w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Coral-reef-task-cards-brochure-and-notes.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 479px) 100vw, 479px" /></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before you jump right into the project, you want to introduce the topic with a whole group lesson and guided notes. During this lesson, you can cover essential vocab like biome, biodiversity, microplastics, etc. Having this whole group lesson at the beginning really lays the foundation for a successful PBL experience. The importance of introducing this is to build background knowledge and help students understand why coral reefs are important.</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Next, I like to have students practice the information with task cards and a food lab. During the food lab, students make an edible coral polyp with Twizzlers, sprinkles, gummy worms, fruit rolls ups, frosting, and Rice Krispy treats. It’s messy, but a fun way to represent the structure of coral polyp anatomy. After students have practiced, we’re ready to dive into the actual PBL experience!</span></p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1317 aligncenter" src="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/coral-reef-and-human-impact-pin-200x300.png" alt="Coral reef image with biodiversity. On the bottom, coral reef task cards, coral reef notes and coral reef disease brochure" width="283" height="425" srcset="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/coral-reef-and-human-impact-pin-200x300.png 200w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/coral-reef-and-human-impact-pin-600x900.png 600w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/coral-reef-and-human-impact-pin-683x1024.png 683w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/coral-reef-and-human-impact-pin-768x1152.png 768w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/coral-reef-and-human-impact-pin-400x600.png 400w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/coral-reef-and-human-impact-pin.png 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 283px) 100vw, 283px" /></p><p> </p><h2><b>PBL for Coral Reefs and Human Impact</b></h2><p> </p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For this project-based learning activity, students will answer the question: how does plastic pollution affect the biodiversity of the Coral Reef? Using their background knowledge on why coral reefs are important and the essential vocabulary, students are ready to dig deeper!</span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Here’s how I structure the PBL:</span></p><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1259 aligncenter" src="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ideal-coral-reef-biodiversity-300x200.png" alt="biodiversity in a coral reef" width="479" height="319" srcset="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ideal-coral-reef-biodiversity-300x200.png 300w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ideal-coral-reef-biodiversity-600x400.png 600w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ideal-coral-reef-biodiversity-1024x683.png 1024w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ideal-coral-reef-biodiversity-768x512.png 768w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ideal-coral-reef-biodiversity.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 479px) 100vw, 479px" /></p><ol><li><b>Introduce the project. </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">This really sets the tone for the unit and keeps students on track with a goal in mind. I like to write the question on the board and come back to it throughout the project.</span></li><li><b>Create a sketch.</b> Have students create a sketch of what they think a healthy, biodiverse coral reef looks like. They can apply what they know about coral reefs here.</li><li><b>Research</b>. Students will begin researching the coral reef and the current state of things. This can be done individually, with a partner, or even in small groups depending on your class size and dynamics.</li><li><b>Create a new sketch.</b> After researching, have students create another sketch that represents the “true” state of coral reefs based on what they learned.</li><li><b>Create a PSA</b>. Now that students know why coral reeds are important and what is happening with coral reefs &#8211; they can inform others! Put students into groups to create a PSA about biodiversity and how plastic pollution has affected coral reefs.</li><li><b>Create an Action Plan</b>. Finally, have students create an action plan that gets the school or community involved in efforts to reduce the plastic in the oceans. Their action plan will focus on why coral reefs are important and what the average citizen can do to help.</li></ol><p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-1260 aligncenter" src="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/coral-reef-pbl-with-microphone-300x200.png" alt="open notebook with coral reef biodiversity project based learning notebook glued in. colorful pens, brain coral and a microphone" width="479" height="319" srcset="https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/coral-reef-pbl-with-microphone-300x200.png 300w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/coral-reef-pbl-with-microphone-600x400.png 600w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/coral-reef-pbl-with-microphone-1024x683.png 1024w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/coral-reef-pbl-with-microphone-768x512.png 768w, https://secondarysparks.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/coral-reef-pbl-with-microphone.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 479px) 100vw, 479px" /></p><p><b>Want to bring this Coral Reef PBL to your classroom? </b><span style="font-weight: 400;">Check out the </span><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Plastic-Pollution-and-the-Coral-Reef-Project-Based-Learning-Distance-Learning-5499796"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Coral Reef Project-Based Learning</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> resource. This PBL is done for you, so you can easily implement the project in your classroom. The resource includes paper and digital resources to help students illustrate, research, create, and reflect!</span></p><p><a href="https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Plastic-Pollution-and-the-Coral-Reef-Project-Based-Learning-Distance-Learning-5499796"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Grab the Coral Research PBL</span></a></p>								</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				<section class="elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e0baf04 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default" data-id="e0baf04" data-element_type="section" data-e-type="section">
						<div class="elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default">
					<div class="elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-13a4472" data-id="13a4472" data-element_type="column" data-e-type="column">
			<div class="elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated">
						<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-cfce648 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html" data-id="cfce648" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="html.default">
				<div class="elementor-widget-container">
					<div id="fd-form-6553a81fb4cfb034703a2df4"></div>
<script>
  window.fd('form', {
    formId: '6553a81fb4cfb034703a2df4',
    containerEl: '#fd-form-6553a81fb4cfb034703a2df4'
  });
</script>				</div>
				</div>
					</div>
		</div>
					</div>
		</section>
				</div>
		<p>The post <a href="https://secondarysparks.com/coral-reefs-and-human-impact-pbl-for-middle-school/">Coral Reefs and Human Impact PBL for Middle School</a> appeared first on <a href="https://secondarysparks.com">Secondary Sparks</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://secondarysparks.com/coral-reefs-and-human-impact-pbl-for-middle-school/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">1257</post-id>	</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

<!--
Performance optimized by W3 Total Cache. Learn more: https://www.boldgrid.com/w3-total-cache/?utm_source=w3tc&utm_medium=footer_comment&utm_campaign=free_plugin

Object Caching 92/269 objects using APC
Page Caching using Disk: Enhanced 

Served from: secondarysparks.com @ 2026-08-26 23:57:52 by W3 Total Cache
-->