B.E. Academy: STEAM, PBL, and Community Launch
Created byDestini Williams
2 views0 downloads

B.E. Academy: STEAM, PBL, and Community Launch

Grade 6ArtMusicTechnologySociologyEnglishOtherMathScience14 days
This project, designed for 6th graders, integrates STEAM principles, the Montessori method, art, and music to strengthen the B.E. Academy community. Students collaboratively design and implement projects, including interviewing staff for a 'Staff Spotlight' portfolio, creating STEAM-based solutions for school challenges, and developing a multi-media showcase representing the school's culture and values. The project aims to enhance learning experiences, promote teamwork, and showcase the school's unique culture.
STEAMMontessori MethodSchool CultureCollaborationCommunity EngagementArt and MusicProblem-Solving
Want to create your own PBL Recipe?Use our AI-powered tools to design engaging project-based learning experiences for your students.
📝

Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as 6th grade STEAMinists, collaboratively design and implement a project that integrates the Montessori method, art, music, and technology to strengthen the B.E. Academy community, showcase its unique culture, and enhance our learning experiences?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • How can we use STEAM principles to strengthen our school community?
  • How does understanding our school's culture help us thrive academically and personally?
  • In what ways can we, as 6th graders, contribute to and shape the B.E. Academy community?
  • How can the Montessori method enhance our learning experience at B.E. Academy?
  • How can we use art, music, and technology to showcase the unique aspects of our school?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will understand and apply the core principles of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) to address real-world challenges within their school community.
  • Students will learn and implement the Montessori method in project design and execution.
  • Students will demonstrate effective collaboration and teamwork skills through the design, planning, and implementation of a community-focused project.
  • Students will learn how to build relationships and connect with teachers and staff
  • Students will learn school expectations, values and culture

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Escape the Ordinary: A School Culture Adventure

The classroom is transformed into an 'escape room' centered around the history, values, and expectations of the school. Students must solve a series of puzzles, riddles, and challenges that require them to explore different aspects of the school (library, art studio, science lab) and interact with various staff members. Successfully completing the escape room reveals a final message about the importance of community and individual contributions.
📚

Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

B.E. Academy's Hidden Heroes: Staff Spotlight

Students interview various staff members (teachers, admin, support staff) to understand their roles, contributions, and perspectives on the school's culture. The interviews will focus on how each staff member contributes to the B.E. Academy community and upholds its values. Students will reflect on the importance of each role and how they interconnect to create a supportive learning environment.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Brainstorm a list of staff members to interview, ensuring representation from various departments and roles.
2. Develop a set of interview questions focusing on their role, contribution to school culture, and personal connection to B.E. Academy.
3. Conduct the interviews, taking detailed notes or recording (with permission).
4. Write a summary of each staff member's role and key insights from the interview.
5. Write a personal reflection on how the staff member contributes to the school community and impacts the student learning experience.
6. Compile all entries into a digital or physical 'Staff Spotlight' portfolio.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA 'Staff Spotlight' portfolio showcasing each interviewed staff member. Each entry includes a photo, a summary of their role, key insights from the interview, and a student reflection on the staff member's impact on the school community.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goals: Students will learn school expectations, values and culture; Students will learn how to build relationships and connect with teachers and staff.
Activity 2

STEAMinists Take Action: Designing for a Better B.E. Academy

Students identify a challenge or opportunity to improve the school environment or culture using STEAM principles. Applying the Montessori method, students will work collaboratively to design a solution, create a prototype, and present their project to the school community for feedback. The focus is on student-led problem-solving and practical application of STEAM concepts.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Brainstorm potential challenges or opportunities within the school community that can be addressed using STEAM principles.
2. Form small groups and select a challenge to focus on.
3. Research existing solutions and identify areas for innovation.
4. Design a solution utilizing STEAM principles, incorporating elements of the Montessori method such as self-directed learning and hands-on activities.
5. Create a prototype of the solution.
6. Develop a project proposal outlining the problem, solution, prototype, timeline, and budget.
7. Present the project proposal and prototype to a panel of teachers and staff.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA STEAM Project Proposal and Prototype: Includes a detailed problem statement, proposed solution utilizing STEAM principles, a prototype of the solution, a project timeline, and a budget. The project will be presented to a panel of teachers and staff for review and potential implementation.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goals: Students will understand and apply the core principles of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) to address real-world challenges within their school community; Students will learn and implement the Montessori method in project design and execution.
Activity 3

B.E. Academy: A Symphony of Culture and Creativity

Students will create a collaborative art and music project that visually and auditorily represents the school's values, culture, and expectations. This project will integrate various art forms (painting, sculpture, digital art) and musical genres to create a unified representation of B.E. Academy. The students will work together to ensure that the final product reflects the diverse perspectives and talents within the 6th grade class.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Discuss and identify the core values, cultural elements, and expectations of B.E. Academy.
2. Brainstorm various art forms and musical genres that can be used to represent these elements.
3. Divide into smaller groups, each focusing on a specific aspect of the project (e.g., visual art, musical composition, performance).
4. Create individual art pieces and musical compositions that reflect the identified values and cultural elements.
5. Collaborate to integrate the individual pieces into a unified installation and performance.
6. Rehearse and refine the performance.
7. Display the art installation and perform the musical piece for the school community.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA Multi-Media Showcase: A collaborative art installation and musical performance that embodies the school's culture and values. The installation will be displayed in a prominent location within the school, and the musical performance will be showcased during a school assembly or event.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsLearning Goals: Students will demonstrate effective collaboration and teamwork skills through the design, planning, and implementation of a community-focused project; Students will learn school expectations, values and culture.
🏆

Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Staff Spotlight Portfolio Rubric

Category 1

Staff Member Contribution

Focuses on the student's ability to understand, synthesize, and reflect on the staff member's role and contribution to the school community.
Criterion 1

Understanding of Staff Role

Demonstrates understanding of the staff member's role within the school and provides accurate information gathered from the interview.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the staff member's multifaceted role, providing insightful details and nuances beyond the surface level.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the staff member's role and provides accurate details from the interview.

Developing
2 Points

Shows an emerging understanding of the staff member's role, but some details may be missing or slightly inaccurate.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows a beginning understanding of the staff member's role with significant gaps in details and/or inaccuracies.

Criterion 2

Synthesis of Interview Insights

Effectively captures and synthesizes key insights from the staff interview, highlighting their contribution to the school community.

Exemplary
4 Points

Masterfully captures and synthesizes profound insights, revealing the staff member's invaluable and unique contribution to the school community.

Proficient
3 Points

Effectively captures and synthesizes key insights, clearly demonstrating the staff member's significant contribution to the school community.

Developing
2 Points

Presents some insights from the interview, but may lack depth or a clear connection to the staff member's contribution to the school community.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to capture key insights and demonstrate the staff member's contribution to the school community.

Criterion 3

Insightful Reflection

Provides a thoughtful and insightful reflection on how the staff member impacts the student learning experience and contributes to the overall school community.

Exemplary
4 Points

Offers a profoundly insightful and transformative reflection, revealing a deep understanding of the staff member's far-reaching impact on the student learning experience and the school's ethos.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides a thoughtful and insightful reflection, clearly articulating how the staff member impacts the student learning experience and contributes to the school community.

Developing
2 Points

Provides a basic reflection, but may lack depth, personal connection, or a clear understanding of the staff member's broader impact.

Beginning
1 Points

Provides a superficial or minimal reflection with little to no insight into the staff member's impact on the student learning experience or school community.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

How did your understanding of B.E. Academy's culture and values evolve through the 'Staff Spotlight' project?

Text
Required
Question 2

In what ways did collaborating on the 'STEAMinists Take Action' project enhance your understanding of STEAM principles and the Montessori method?

Text
Required
Question 3

To what extent do you feel the 'Symphony of Culture and Creativity' project effectively captured the essence of B.E. Academy's culture?

Scale
Required
Question 4

What was the most challenging aspect of working collaboratively on these projects, and how did you overcome it?

Text
Required
Question 5

Which project ('Staff Spotlight', 'STEAMinists Take Action', or 'Symphony of Culture and Creativity') resonated with you the most, and why?

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Staff Spotlight
STEAMinists Take Action
Symphony of Culture and Creativity