STEM

New PBL Guide Tackles Life Science Problems

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 06/07/16

Adding problem-based learning (PBL) to science classrooms can be tough to do. As a new book by the National Science Teachers Association points out, "Valuable resources exist that describe in general what PBL is, how to develop lessons, and how PBL can help students, but curriculum resources are much harder to find."

Problem-Based Learning in the Life Science Classroom, K–12 offers full lesson plans that support the Next Generation Science Standards. The lessons were developed by content experts who facilitated sessions during an association-hosted professional development workshop and then refined the problems in subsequent workshops.

The book covers eight "strands," including life cycles, genetics, ecology and cellular metabolism. The text offers examples, instructions and tips for managing students as they explore the scientific principles in search of solutions.

The goal of the book, according to its authors, is to provide scenarios that "prompt K–12 learners to immerse themselves in analyzing problems, asking questions, posing hypotheses, finding needed information and then constructing a proposed solution."

The 254-page volume is priced at $39.95 for non-members. A 58-page sample is available on the association's website.