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Project-based Learning Institute Offered for Middle and High School Educators
By Barbara Gillenwaters

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), the University of Indianapolis, CELL, and the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation will be co-hosting Learning by Doing: A Project-based Learning Institute for Middle & High School Educators on June 29 through July 1 at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis. The institute will provide hands-on opportunities to explore and create project-based learning options for classrooms and schools.

The institute will focus on four strands for project-based learning: exploration of methodology, content-specific design, educator collaboration, and instructional change. The goal of the summer institute is to increase understanding and support for project-based learning, which implements real-world experiences and 21st-century skills to enhance academic achievement. Michael McDowell of New Technology Foundation will provide the opening address to teach the fundamentals of project-based learning as well as ways to evaluate projects and tailor them to individual student needs. Participants also will work with local project-based learning experts to expand their knowledge and application of project-based learning within their classrooms. The institute will use The Project-Based Learning Handbook from The Buck Institute of Education as a basis for learning about PBL. The handbook will be available for purchase at the event.

Special sessions will be available for both school leaders and classroom teachers to receive cutting-edge resources and discover the possibilities and impact of sustainable school change. Classroom teachers and school leaders are encouraged to participate as a school team. All participants will leave the institute with a product ready for implementation in their classroom or school.

College credit, Continuing Renewal Credits and Personal Growth Points will be offered for participation and additional work provided through the institute.

To register, visit http://education.iupui.edu/soe/institute/. Early registration with reduced pricing ends April 17.