PBL – Introduction

PBL Introduction is hands-on, as if you are beginning to plan project-based learning for your students. Your workshop includes collaborative activities, individual reflection, mini-presentations, video of project-based learning in-action, and fun! Participants receive many website and Google Drive resources. This workshop can be provided in any time frame.

You leave with:
. High quality Project-Based Learning’s features
. Project-Based Learning suggested Implementation Steps
. Examples of Project-Based Learning Challenge Questions
. Project-Based Learning Products
. Students’ Need-to-Knows (inquiry questions)

Participants’ Comments

It was fantastic! I had limited knowledge of project-based learning and wanted to gain knowledge. I received much more than expected. She breaks down every step into workable pieces. We had tons of resources. I enjoyed the collaboration with peers. Thank you so much! – Dee Butler, high school alternative education, Summit Academy, Houlton, Maine

Quality Project Based Learning. The workshop walked us through the steps to implement project based learning in any classroom environment. I came in with little to no knowledge of project based learning and am leaving the two-day workshop with a project ready to roll out with my students. I enjoyed the information I gained and also the networking with other educators. Lee Anna clearly understands the process of effective instruction. Great experience!
Jessica DeJongh
Teacher, Grade 3
Farrington School
Augusta School Department
Augusta, Maine

Lee Anna provided us with many instructional tools that immersed us in the project-based learning experience…It was helpful to walk step-by-step through the process of project-based learning and come out with a well developed plan to implement in the classroom. I enjoyed the level of collaboration and discussion. Thank you!  – Mary Dionne, Middle School Math and Science, St. Michael School, Augusta, Maine

The “quality” descriptor is definitely appropriate. Lee Anna modeled protocols and pedagogy so we could get direct experience using strategies before taking them back to our classrooms. I left the workshop with a plan for a project based learning unit that had been critiqued by my peers before I try it with my students. The feedback from other professionals was extremely helpful in planning my first project based learning unit. I learned so  much and made some excellent connections with new colleagues. Thank you again for the Quality Project Based Learning Workshop!
– Kate Drummond, High School Science Teacher, Skowhegan Area High School, Skowhegan, Maine

The workshop provided a collaborative step-by-step approach to project-based learning. Lee Anna was very kind and shared a wealth of information. I was able to come up with a great challenge question and received so much feedback from the group in planning. Also Day 3 was full of strategies. Loved it! Thank you.
– Sophia Stephney, Dean of Humanities and 8th Grade ELA Teacher, New Heights Charter School, Brockton, MA

Dr. Stirling provided a safe and supportive climate. She was understanding and patient and modeled many implementation steps of Quality Project-Based Learning. She facilitated conversations with different groups keeping them on track with suggestions and feedback. Dr. Stirling was positive and helpful to all members of the group. Gentle, open-ended questions would lead participants to deepening understandings. Thanks so much.
 – Frances Savage, Teacher, Grade 3, Teague Park Elementary School, RSU 39, Caribou, Maine 

Quality Project Based Learning.  The workshop was wonderful!…  The preparing for an Ebola epidemic unit created an engaging environment to review linear functions from Algebra I and to introduce new Algebra II functions. It was exciting to see the students take ownership in their work and see real-world applications for new material. – Tennille Moore, Math Teacher, Mt. Desert Island High School, Bar Harbor, Maine

Lee Anna was friendly and helpful. The information was extremely valuable. Lee Anna also gave us examples and websites to make a formidable toolbox. Both Lee Anna and the team I worked with inspired me.
–  Patty Sponheimer, Kindergarten Teacher, Katahdin Elementary School, Stacyville, Maine

The presenter was structured and organized and allowed time for participants to interact and give and receive effective feedback.– Deirdre Mone, Director of Admissions and Gr 6-8 Technology Projects Teacher, Iona Prep, New Rochelle, NY

Thanks for a great workshop Lee Anna!  What a great group we had! I feel really happy that I came to this. You provided tons of great resources that I’ll be able to use going forward. Thanks so much for facilitating an authentic learning community!
Billie Cleveland
ELA – Reading/Writing Teacher
Maranacook Community Middle School, RSU 38
Readfield, Maine

 Lee Anna is very knowledgeable and I learned a lot about planning and implementing PBL. Going over the big points and ideas, the work time, all the feedback and collaboration supported my planning and was enjoyable.
Rachel Singh, First Grade Teacher
Conners Emerson School
Mount Desert Island Regional School System
Bar Harbor, Maine

Educators Peer Coaching. I did so enjoy the workshop it was comfortable, informative, and practical; I feel like I can go to school in the fall, review my notes, and put peer coaching into practice. I know the staff enjoyed the workshop at least as much as I did and I feel very comfortable recommending your workshops to the administration in MSAD 11.
Susan Shepherd, Teaching Principal
Teresa S. Hamlin School/MSAD 11
Randolph, Maine/Gardiner, Maine 

Educators Peer Coaching. The workshop prepared me for peer coaching. I feel I could both learn from peer coaching and help someone else. The workshop was clear, organized and we had time to work together. Time flew.
Deborah Viens
Kindergarten Teacher
Teresa C. Hamlin School/MSAD 11
Randolph, Maine/Gardiner, Maine   

Quality Project Based Learning. This is a great workshop! Lee Anna Stirling is very knowledgeable in this area. Provided great resources and discussion. The pace and activities varied, kept teachers engaged. I love how you modeled the activities. Looking forward to taking this back to my school.
Leslie Marquis
High School Science Teacher
Community High School, MSAD 27
Fort Kent, Maine

Quality Project Based Learning. This workshop gave me the opportunity to focus on a unit to teach with valuable feedback from other participants. Lee Anna provided a variety of ways to present information and share. The workshop was very well organized and moved at just the right pace. There was a lot of time to bounce ideas off of other people from a variety of backgrounds and grade levels. We had plenty of time to actually create our project. I already have ideas for a couple more challenges! I loved the collaboration among everyone present. It epitomized the 4Cs – collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity.
Lori Swenson
Teacher, Grade 3
Bloomfield Elementary, RSU 54
Skowhegan, Maine

Educators Peer Coaching. The workshop was very helpful in preparing me for peer coaching. I liked how it was presented in manageable steps and not overwhelming. I love that arts were incorporated into the workshop. The presenter was knowledgable and kind. I like this peer coaching model because it is teacher-centered vs. coach-centered. 
Bonnie Bannister, Second/Third Grade Teacher
Teresa C. Hamlin School/MSAD 11
Randolph, Maine/Gardiner, Maine

Quality Project Based Learning. Lee Anna Stirling is exceptional as a presenter. This course totally exceeded my expectations! Lee Anna provided time to listen, time to write, time to learn. We had time to share and assist peers. The format was weighted perfectly so as to accentuate standards and assessments. Using the outline it was ideal to take my reflection notes. She listens to us and learned about us individually. Lee Anna’s pace is excellent. I especially loved having daily agendas in front of me each day, to follow along. This class gives me the confidence to not put off my learning progress.
Sally Merchant
Mt. Desert Island High School
Bar Harbor, Maine

 Educators Peer Coaching. This workshop was helpful. I learned about the role of the coach and the teacher and how to do both. We had time to talk which was enjoyable.
Cynthia Snow, First Grade Teacher
Teresa C. Hamlin School, MSAD 11 
Randolph, Maine/Gardiner, Maine

Quality Project Based Learning. Lee Anna is very friendly and knowledgeable, had many resources. Very open to ideas, positive. Everyone seemed highly motivated. Time was well managed. The material is useful. I really didn’t know what this class would be about when I signed up, but after the first session I could see how my whole project would play out.
Amy Hart
William S. Cohen Middle School, Bangor School Department
Bangor, Maine

Quality Project Based Learning. This workshop provided tools/structure I can bring back and model for teachers. The various protocols, developing my project, time to work, and conversations/feedback from peers were very valuable.
Jandrea True, Principal
Tremont Consolidated School, Bass Harbor, Maine
Mt. Desert Island Regional School System, AOS 91
Bar Harbor, Maine

Quality Project Based Learning. Great job.
Jolane Clawson
Special Education ELA and Math, Grades 4-6
Piscatquis Community Elementary School, SAD #4, Guilford, Maine

Educators Peer Coaching. I enjoyed discussing ways to partner coach. I appreciate this peer coaching model because it is non-evaluative.
Stephanie Dickson, Third, Fourth, Fifth Grade Teacher
Teresa C. Hamlin School, MSAD 11
Randolph, Maine/Gardiner, Maine

Quality Project Based Learning. This course exceeded my expectations. I really was in the dark about challenge-solving projects and how effective they could be. Lee provided exceptional attention to group as well as the individual. She is a very thoughtful presenter.
Dana Geel
Bangor High School, Bangor School Department
Bangor, Maine
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– I learned inquiry lessons, project-based lessons and units, integrating technology, scaffolding, formative and summative assessments.

– I loved it…Variety in presenting – videos, discussion, informational, organized.

– Thank you for offering this type of course.

– I learned how to use inquiry as a vehicle for instruction, increasing student engagement and motivation.

– It was so helpful to have the independent work time but with guidance.

– [I gained] the ability to create an inquiry unit, and plan it out so I could take it back and easily implement.