At bina, we value a culture of innovation, curiosity, problem-solving, collaboration, and inclusion. One way we bring these values to the forefront of our curriculum is through project-based learning.
What is project-based learning?
Project-based learning means that we put the kiddos in the driver’s seat! It’s a teaching method in which students actively engage with real-world problems.
Students are more motivated to explore issues that are authentic and meaningful to them– they are encouraged to be curious and follow their own lead throughout their investigation process.
Here’s a recent example:
Our bina kiddos were deep into their learning journey within the Rainforest biome. (Jaguars, sloths, and gorillas– oh my!) We invited an expert, a biologist with a specialisation in frogs, to meet with our students. The biologist asked them how tree frogs or other rainforest animals would need to adapt if they were to survive in the desert.
That’s a tricky question– the rainforest and the desert are very different places, that’s for sure! Faced with an engaging question, our students began researching and experimenting on their way to designing an animal prototype. They learned about how and why cactus store water. They learned about camouflage and the importance of colour in relation to temperature. As a grand finale, each student presented their very own adapted rainforest animal to the biologist, teacher, and classmates.
Throughout this project, our students used their skills of research, experimentation, writing, and design technology– and they had a lot of fun along the way.
Working together to reach a solution
Project-based learning involves lots of collaboration, which means that our kiddos are getting the opportunity to practice working together. A positive collaborative experience often provides students with a sense of belonging– they see that their ideas matter.
When students come from diverse backgrounds and cultures and are encouraged to team up to solve a real-world problem, they realise that diverse perspectives are not only helpful, but necessary to arriving at a solution. Add it all up, and we’ve got ourselves a learning experience that fosters collaboration, inclusion, and a recognition of the strength we find in diversity.
How exactly do the biome units come into play?
At bina, we use project-based learning to forge connections between our students’ learning and the world around them.
It helps to ground their learning in something authentic: each of our units is based on a biome, which helps our students learn about their world and ensure they are growing into globally aware and environmentally conscious citizens.
Throughout each biome unit, students work on a project, like a rainforest/desert project example. Our Master Teachers facilitate and organise the projects, but the students are the ones generating the ideas and making their ideas come to life.
The projects are cross-curricular, which means that our kids are practicing skills from a range of subjects and making important connections between literacy, numeracy, science, and culture.
Project-based learning features an element of trust
Our Master Teachers view their students as capable people who, when given the right tools and guidance, are able to skillfully assess a problem and develop a solution.
When students are engaged in the process from start to finish, they develop skills across the board in all subject areas and get a chance to practice interpersonal skills, too. Project-based learning is all about encouraging our kids’ natural curiosity, giving them the tools and resources they need, and trusting them to lead the way.
If you think your child would click with this type of learning experience, and you’re interested in learning more about bina as an educational offering, book a meeting with us; we can't wait to meet you!
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