Kentucky River Watershed Project Based Learning
This two-year professional development project aims to improve 27 middle school teachers’ abilities to develop and implement engaging project-based learning (PBL) units relating to the Kentucky River Watershed.
The central goal of the project is to improve middle school teachers’ competence and confidence in teaching and applying Kentucky Core Academic Standards and Next Generation Science Standards in authentic STEM contexts that engage students in doing science and applying knowledge in authentic contexts.
Teachers begin developing PBL units during the five-day summer institute offered each year in which they will conduct authentic investigations using technology tools, including GIS and GPS handheld technologies, website databases, Google Earth, and geospatial mapping to collect, analyze, and communicate authentic results.
Teachers will implement PBL curricula during the academic year with support from project staff and instructors and virtual job-embedded professional development.
Project evaluation will measure changes in teachers’ and their students’ science content understanding, mathematics, science, and engineering practices, teachers’ pedagogical knowledge of PBL environments, and attitudes toward science, STEM careers, and watershed stewardship.
Virtual professional learning communities will offer teachers a venue for sharing and improving PBL instruction.
Teacher's Corner
Canvas
General and Suggested Readings
Project-Based Learning Readings
Kentucky River Watershed Background Information
Student-Friendly Resources
2014 Workshop Materials
2015 Workshop Materials
Project Rubric
Contact Page
2015 Required Readings
2015 Paricipating Schools:
Fayette County
Clark County
Garrard County
Madison County
Lexington Traditional Magnet
Scott County
Grant County
Jessamine County
2014 Participating Schools:
Fayette County
Henry County
Jessamine County
Grant County
Anderson County
Photo Gallery
2014 GeoTagged Photos Google Earth Map (.kmz)
For more information, including registration, please contact: Rebecca Krall, Carol Hanley, or Esther Edwards.
Phone: 859-257-3785 or 859-257-1993