Project Results 1

Curriculum on skills development through the use of PBL and STEAM integrated into Climate Change

PR1 of the UNITY project focuses on redesigning school curricula to address critical educational challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to equip teachers with the tools needed to integrate future skills—such as critical thinking, creativity, remote working, and cooperation—into their lessons using a combination of STEAM, Project-Based Learning (PBL), and climate change education. The curriculum will provide theoretical knowledge and practical lesson plans, engaging students through interdisciplinary learning, virtual cooperation, and real-world problem-solving. It also introduces innovative teaching methods, including role-play, games, and virtual group work, to foster collaboration and prepare students for the future. Designed for transferability, the curriculum will be available in seven languages and is expected to have a broad impact, encouraging widespread use by educators and policymakers. ​

EURASIA: Firstly, begin by thoroughly familiarizing yourself with the PR1 Curriculum, which focuses on skill development through Project-Based Learning (PBL) and the integration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) into climate change education. The curriculum is organized into six chapters, each containing five detailed lesson plans, providing a solid framework for comprehensive instruction. Understanding the structure of each chapter is crucial. Each lesson plan includes specific elements such as the date, teaching staff, term, week, year level, time/length, key learning area, topic/focus, and lesson name. The foreseen outcomes detail what students will be able to achieve by the end of the lesson. This systematic arrangement ensures that educators can easily navigate and select lessons that align with their educational goals and time constraints, making planning more efficient and effective. When planning your lessons, use the curriculum systematically. You can either start with the first chapter and progress sequentially or select lessons based on the specific needs and interests of your students. Each lesson plan also includes a detailed lesson description, prerequisites, length (lesson procedure), lesson standard, Common Core State Standards, enduring understandings, and essential questions, all of which help in thorough preparation and execution. Customization is key to enhancing the relevance and engagement of the lessons. Adapt the lesson plans to fit the specific context and needs of your students. Each lesson plan provides a case section, skill focus, content, assessments, evidence of student learning, texts/resources, learning activities, practice, and suggested extensions. These components allow for flexible and comprehensive lesson delivery.

How to Use the Lesson Plans Effectively

To make the most of the PR1 Curriculum, which emphasizes Project-Based Learning (PBL) and integrates STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) into climate change education, it’s essential to follow these steps:

  1. Start with the Introduction to PBL:
    Begin by thoroughly understanding what PBL is and why it’s critical for student development. The introduction in the curriculum explains the methodology behind PBL, and starting here will give you the context for how the rest of the curriculum is structured. This section is foundational to understanding the approach, which focuses on active, student-centered learning through real-world challenges.
  2. Familiarize Yourself with the PR1 Curriculum Structure:
    The curriculum consists of six chapters, each containing five detailed lesson plans. These chapters provide a structured framework for skill development and climate change education. It is essential to review the layout to grasp how each lesson plan is organized, making it easier to navigate and align lessons with your teaching objectives.
  3. Understand the Key Elements of Each Lesson Plan:
    Each lesson plan includes critical information such as:
    • Date
    • Teaching staff
    • Term, week, year level
    • Time/length of the lesson
    • Key learning areas
    • Topic/focus
    • Lesson name
  4. These elements help you prepare by setting clear expectations for what students should achieve by the end of each lesson. Knowing these details will streamline your lesson planning, making it easier to focus on learning outcomes and lesson objectives.
  5. Use the Curriculum Systematically:
    You can either work through the curriculum sequentially from the first chapter or select specific lessons that match your students’ needs. Each lesson plan contains a detailed description, prerequisites, procedure, standards, and learning outcomes, all of which are designed to make your teaching process more organized and purposeful.
  6. Customize the Lessons to Fit Your Classroom:
    Flexibility is key. The curriculum is designed to allow for customization, so adapt the lesson plans based on your students’ context and interests. Every lesson plan includes a focus on specific skills, content, assessments, and resources, which can be adjusted to enhance engagement and relevance. You can also modify the learning activities and suggested extensions to better fit your classroom dynamics.

By following these steps and beginning with a solid understanding of PBL, you’ll be well-prepared to deliver engaging, structured lessons that integrate STEAM and foster deeper learning about climate change.