We are happy to announce that Cal Poly's proposal Transforming Teacher Preparation through Project-Based Learning (PBL) Curriculum has been awarded. Cal Poly will receive funding from the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation via the CSU Chancellor's office over the next two years to support PBL efforts in our credential programs here on campus and in schools throughout Lucia Mar Unified School District.
Our long-term goals are to promote the effective implementation of PBL to meet the needs of all learners across all abilities and grade bands. We ultimately plan to develop and teach a PBL model that incorporates Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Through these efforts, we aim to foster interest in STEM and help all students better meet Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. We have planned the following activities as part of our short-term process for achieving these goals: (a) collaboratively develop and teach engineering projects with New Tech High School; (b) plan and deliver PBL professional development for Cal Poly faculty, students, and cooperating teachers; (c) develop and teach cross disciplinary PBL engineering courses; (d) develop a PBL Summer Lab School; and (e) develop a framework for PBL. We are excited to begin exploring and effectively implementing PBL through this cross-disciplinary project.
