What is Project Based Learning?
Project Based Learning (PBL) is an instructional method employed by educators that encourages students to investigate, research, and respond to a complex question, problem, or real-world challenge after an extended period of study. As the culmination of their learning experience, students create a public product or presentation for a real audience as a demonstration of their knowledge and skills.
With today’s emphasis on science, technology, engineering, art and math (S.T.E.A.M.) curricula in the classroom, Wells barns present an ideal case study for educators and their students. How J.T. Wells, Sr. acquired the knowledge that would have been necessary to design the intricate structures he built remains mostly a mystery. Archival records indicate the only formal education he received was through the eighth grade at the local Garbutt #3 school. Regardless, J.T. Wells, Sr. recognized a need and created a design to solve the problem – a real-world model for Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers and other educators promoting Project Based Learning (PBL) in the classroom.
Read about our Project Based Learning experience pilot: A Legacy Learned at Churchville Elementary School
Then, scroll down this page to find all the resources you will need to implement this project with students in an educational setting:
- Educator Guide
- Small Group Research Tasks
- Wells Barn Case Study
- Educator & Student Co-Viewing Video
Educator Guide