Project Based Learning

As part of re-thinking geography - teaching with projects allows students to customize their learning experience and they get to build skills that will help them in their lives regardless of what they want to do. 
This project based learning plan was created to cover the Utah Core Standards in Geography and World History. Both cores are year-long curriculum, but we only have a semester to teach them. These are the projects that we use to individualize learning for each student while empowering them to have a positive impact on their world at the same time covering the core standards. 
Project Based Learning - Teacher Plan Outline -

Environmental 
Entrepreneurship project

Guiding Questions: 
How will you close the GAP between current lifestyles and sustainable living?
Are sustainability and a healthy economy mutually exclusive or compatible?
Project Description: 
Students will research environmental sustainability issues [UN Sustainable Development Goals] to create a product/service that will address the issue that connects locally to their MUN Country. Students will produce: Product Prototype or complete service, PSA Video [Public Service Announcement], and present a business proposal.
Utah Social Studies New Core Standards: 
World Geography
1.1, 1.2, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 4.2, 4.6, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3
World History
5.4

Model United Nations

Guiding Questions: 
How does a local and/or regional issue become an international problem? What processes are in place to address those problems?
Project Description: 
Students will research, present and compromise on local, regional, and international solutions to UN global environmental Sustainable Development Goals.  Topics: Clean Water & Sanitation, Zero Hunger, Clean & Affordable Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Climate Action. 
​While developing skills: public speaking, diplomacy, research, parliamentary procedure, and resolution writing. 
Utah Social Studies New Core Standards: 
World Geography
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.3, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3, 6.2, 6.5
World History
1.4, 2.4, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4

Peace Project

Guiding Questions: 
Does our past have to determine our future? What can you do to make a better present and future?
Project Description: 
Students will complete a project that promotes understanding, tolerance and peace among similar and diverse populations. While connecting the lessons they learned from the past to their present and future. 
Utah Social Studies New Core Standards: 
World Geography
1.1, 4.5
World History
6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 7.3, 7.4

When & Where of Sustainability

Guiding Questions: 
What can you do locally to affect positive change in all global regions? How do historical trends impact current conditions?
Project Description: 
This is a two-part project: Part 1 – Regional Timeline Students in regional groups research and create topic-related timeline to present to the class.
​Part 2 – Global/Local Solutions Students work in topic groups to develop global solutions and local to UN Sustainability Goals: No Poverty, Health & Wellness, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Reduce Inequality, Peace & Justice
Utah Social Studies New Core Standards: 
World Geography
1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 1.6, 2.1, 2.4, 4.3, 4.6, 5.1, 5.3, 6.1, 6.5
World History
1.1, 1.4, 3.5, 4.3, 5.1, 5.5, 5.6, 6.3, 6.6, 7.1, 7.3, 7.4

Model European Union

Guiding Questions: 
How can governmental policies have both intended and unintended consequences on population and migration? Why do people move, sometimes at great risk to themselves?
Project Description: 
Students will research, present and participate in a Model European Union conference on the topic: Europe’s Migration and Refugee Crisis​.
Utah Social Studies New Core Standards: 
World Geography
1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 2.2, 4.2, 4.4, 4.6, 6.1, 6.4
World History
3.5, 3.6, 5.5, 6.1, 6.6, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4