Food deserts...I was at an afterschool expo and listened to youth explaining how they were addressing food deserts in their community. Kindergarteners told me the best food for people to eat daily. Middle school youth explained to me how food pantries can help inform the community about what should be donated and what should not be donated. High school youth were engaging in a higher conversation around, “Why are there food deserts?” Other community partners were engaging in these conversations as well. Problem solving, critical thinking and passion were overflowing out of the youth.
We see youth workers in afterschool programs using PBL to increase youth engagement and family engagement. When our youth are engaged in their PBL unit at our programs, they are inviting their family into the program. Another great PBL was to have the youth plan and execute the family engagement night. When the youth are planning the night, we see more family engagement.
Our youth need to have a PBL experience, so they can practice the skills they will be using in the workforce. They will not be great at them to start, so they need to practice these skills in a safe environment where they have strong relationships in place. Relationships are one of the hallmarks of our afterschool programs, so we should leverage those relationships to help our youth build the skills they need to be successful in the next section of their journey.
Bringing Project Based Learning into your afterschool program is more than a curriculum, so you’ll want to find training on how to customize PBL for your afterschool program.
After an independent research team did a study on the Magnify Learning Afterschool training, the verdict is in...Project Based Learning works in Afterschool! The independent research team found that youth workers and program leads left the training with strategies to empower youth to lead activities, incorporate 21st Century Skills, and build group consensus. That sounds like youth working together productively!
The biggest benefits of PBL listed by participants are youth engagement, critical thinking, voice and choice, and engagement with community. Check out the study results for yourself!
Project Based Learning is a great way to engage your youth, your staff, and your community.
Additional PBL Resources
1. PBL Simplified Sign Up - Get these videos sent to your inbox each week!
2. PBL Simplified Book Study- Want to learn more about what the PBL process looks like in the classroom? Check out this book!
3. The PBL Simplified Podcast - Like listening to podcasts? Tune in each week to hear episodes on PBL-related topics.
4. PBL Movement Online Community - Connect with other like-minded educators and get access to a ton of PBL Resources.
5. PBL Blog Sign Up - If you like these videos, then you can get our PBL blogs sent your inbox as well!
6. Magnify Learning on YouTube Subscribe for the latest videos!