Today, I talk to 2nd Grade Teacher Kelly Misheikis from Unionville Elementary School in Bloomington, Indiana, and two of her former 2nd-grade students. Kelly and her class solved a runoff problem at their school's pond and raised over $10,000 to dig a well in Africa so girls could go to school instead of carrying water. 

I also have a "need to know" question: "How do I bring PBL ideas to my classroom?" There's nothing wrong with the kids coming up with ideas, but that's an advanced exercise. A facilitator can craft a well-thought-out idea that looks at standards, solves a real-world problem, and has available community partners. 

Episode Highlights: 

[02:38] Today's "Need to Know": How do I bring PBL ideas to my classroom?

[02:59] The idea can come from anywhere. Kids having to come up with a PBL idea on their own is definitely an advanced tactic.

[04:07] The idea has likely been crafted by the facilitator who's looked at the standards, real-world problems, and community partners.

[07:48] Kelly Misheikis teaches at Unionville Elementary School in Bloomington, Indiana. She has two students who participated in the PBL with her today. 

[08:02] The project was called Save Water, Secure the Future. What can students do to conserve water, make it more accessible, and prevent pollutants?

[09:50] There's a large pond in front of their school and runoff from the parking lot was going into that pond.

[11:06] The school also has a vision called E.A.R.T.H. Earth, art, resources, technology, and health. Each grade studied a continent, and the second grade continent was Africa.

[13:12] One of the students shares her story of gathering water with a bucket at the pond. The experience was life changing. 

[15:54] The kids had a goal to raise $10,000 for the Georgie Badiel Foundation. They even spoke with her.

[19:59] The kids thought it was awesome and got donations from several family members. 

[21:11] They also researched and planted plants around the pond to soak up the runoff, and they also relocated the trail. 

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