Project-Based Experiential Learning

Long-term projects serve as vehicles to long-term learning.  A growing body of academic research supports the use of project-based experiential learning in schools as a way to engage students, cut absenteeism, boost cooperative learning skills, and improve test scores (Buck Institute for Education, http://www.bie.org).  Ruch students begin to contribute their talents and energies to important local projects, stimulating the creation of what might be called a ‘learning community’.  Using a sound set of best instructional practices around issues of sustainability, our community-based projects fuel personal connections and treat students as active resources of their communities.  Project-based learning is a dynamic classroom approach in which students actively explore real-world problems and challenges and acquire a deeper knowledge.  

Check out our current projects:

~ Apiary Studies
~ School Garden
~ Composting
~ Applegate Stewards
~ Solar Project
~ Lightbulb Brigade
~ Salmon Watch