‘Learning by Doing’
“G2S has an awesome 3-year plan to support all learners with engaged, purposeful, real-world learning that today's graduates need. You have the right staff, state-of-the-art facilities, and the culture to produce amazing learning!.”
What is Project-Based Learning?
Our project-based learning approach is at the core of our educational philosophy. By engaging in hands-on projects that tackle real-world challenges, our students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. But what sets us apart is our ability to connect these projects with our community partners. Through internships, mentorships, and collaborative projects, our students gain exposure to different industries and professions, preparing them for future success.
Middle School Teacher, Jess Blauwkamp explains the PBL process.
The five phases balance hands-on engagement and the use of technology, with the development of necessary research, literacy, and core content skills. Each one guides students along a path of curiosity, inspiration, and purpose.
Giving students a voice and choice in the work they do is important to learning. Teachers and students often sit down together to create a customized plan that meets the unique interests and needs of each individual. Our smaller size allows us to get to know students in a deeper way and provide a different level of support and care.
At G2S we place a primary focus on "learning by doing", making learning engaging and relevant. We explore ideas, experiment and learn new things through five phases:
Plan. - Launch. - Experience. - Make. - Share.
Connecting academic concepts to real-world projects
Doing what is right for students and families by making learning engaging and meaningful.
Disrupting the Educational Model
G2S Academy’s PBL History
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants
As we developed the school, we realized that there are a variety of effective PBL models. We visited high-performing PBL environments across the country (High Tech High, High School for the Performing Arts, Avalon, and Kent Innovation High), studied the research of New Tech Network and Buck Institute, and examined local success in the implementation of PBL.
Like High Tech High, G2S starts with teacher-designed and facilitated projects. These teacher-designed projects are developed with student interests in mind and are linked tightly to the standards and courses required for graduation.
We also utilize an individual project plan model, in which a student sits down with teachers to develop a customized project plan. A student's learning at G2S will likely involve both teacher-designed projects and individual project plans, and may also include a blend of pre-designed online courses when necessary from companies like Edmentum and Imagine Learning.
