Think Project Based Learning Think PBL

Project-based learning solutions built to foster critical thinking and spark creativity. Combine classroom technology and STEM learning together to transform your classroom into a collaborative discovery space!
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Technology proficiency ranks the complexity level for teachers as they implement the product into their instruction. Curriculum versatility indicates products with a higher versatility, meaning they can be used in multiple subject areas or grade levels compared to products that are more subject and/or grade specific.

Building Literacy: Create a Short Story

iBlock Objective: Despite the natural fast-pace read element to short stories, this type of literature typically contains the same components of a standard novel including characters, conflict, plot, and a theme. In this iBlock, students will develop a short story using their knowledge of literary elements and work through the process of writing a story: […]

Building Literacy: Create a Short Story iBlock

Building Literacy: Design a Comic Book

iBlock Objective: From images, to text, to color palette, there is a lot to consider when designing a comic book. How are comics similar to a short story? How are they different? In this iBlock, students will investigate the history of comics and various comic texts before creating their own masterpiece. With attention to how […]

Building Literacy: Design a Comic Book

Building Literacy: Develop a Play

iBlock Objective How does a story change when it’s developed into a play? In this iBlock, that’s exactly what students will explore as they become playwrights. Before writing their play, students will take a closer look at the history of theatre and play structure, then they will write and perform an original one-act play. Considerations […]

Building Literacy: Develop a Play iBlock

Class Pet

iBlock Objective: Getting a class pet is an exciting event for students! In this iBlock, students will learn about class pets and decide which pet they should get based on research and suggestions. To make the best suggestion, students should research different animals, propose a good classroom home for it, and design a presentation to […]

Class Pet iBlock

Clean Water and Sanitation

iBlock Objective: Across the globe, billions of people lack access to clean water. Among the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, goal number six is to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.” Throughout this iBlock, students will explore where drinking water comes from, identify contaminants, and ultimately design and engineer […]

Clean Water and Sanitation iBlock

Coding a Classification System

iBlock Objective: It’s crucial that today’s students become fluent in Computer Science skills and concepts. In this iBlock, students will build their Computer Science fluency as they conduct research on a topic of their choosing, and develop a fully-functional coding application to help them gain a fuller understanding of their research. Students will utilize the […]

Coding a Classification System iBlock

Design a Specialty Truck

iBlock Objective: When we think about trucks, we often think of fire trucks or pickup trucks, but there are so many other trucks to explore! In this iBlock, students will learn about different types of trucks as well as their unique functions. Students will research the specific uses for each truck and the impact that […]

Design a Specialty Truck iBlock

Design Your Own Escape Room

iBlock Objective: Escape room games are a fun amusement, but they also provide an opportunity to explore the history of new gaming formats, problem-solving skills, and even storytelling. In this iBlock, students will learn more about the history and culture of this “new” form of entertainment, and then plan, design, and construct their very own! […]

Design Your Own Escape Room iBlock

Designing a Board Game

iBlock Objective: Board games are experiencing a tremendous revival, fueled by new styles of gaming. A shift from luck and conflict to strategy and cooperation has brought new players into the genre. In this iBlock, students will plan a game, research game mechanics, design their play area and pieces, and then determine how to play-test […]

Designing a Board Game iBlock

Engineering 3D Printed Instruments

iBlock Objective: The sound an instrument produces has a lot to do with the materials that it’s made of. An instrument made of wood has a very different sound than one made of brass. What about a plastic instrument? In this iBlock, students will investigate the science of sound, how instruments produce sound, and the […]

Engineering 3D Printed Instruments iBlock

Engineering an Assistive Game Controller

iBlock Objective: In this iBlock, students will learn about inclusivity, game controller design, and the gaming industry. Then, they’ll work towards creating a game controller for a gamer with disabilities to use with a simple coded video game. This iBlock takes students through the Engineering Design Process from research on disabilities and the history of […]

Engineering an Assistive Game Controller iBlock

Engineering for Hazardous Weather: Create a Rescue Kit

iBlock Objective: Even at a young age, it’s necessary that children understand different types of weather and how to be prepared for them. In this iBlock, students will research what should be included in a rescue kit for different types of extreme weather. Then they’ll create model rescue kits, develop and test kit delivery, and […]

Engineering for Hazardous Weather: Create a Rescue Kit iBlock

Engineering for Hazardous Weather: Taking Flood Control to New Heights

iBlock Objective: When most people think about weather and climate, they immediately check the news or their favorite weather app. Is it going to rain today? Will there be flooding? With the threat of severe or hazardous weather, it is important to consider what we can do to protect ourselves, our homes, and our communities. […]

Engineering for Hazardous Weather: Taking Flood Control to New Heights iBlock

Fashion for Function: Smart Wearables

iBlock Objective: Wearable technology has changed quite drastically since the first items hit stores. Some of the most drastic changes and innovations in “smart” wearables have been focused on making them aesthetically pleasing while also serving a purpose, whether that’s fashion, health, or entertainment. In this iBlock, students will design a unique piece of wearable […]

Fashion for Function: Smart Wearables iBlock

Financial Literacy

iBlock Objective: You may have heard it said before, but it’s never too early to start preparing for your financial future. In this iBlock, students will explore key concepts in personal finance and map out a plan in order to give them a secure financial future. Tasks include creating a budget, preparing savings and credit […]

Financial Literacy iBlock

Geometric Self-Watering Planter

iBlock Objective: Are you looking for a creative, project-based way to teach your students about computer-aided design? In this iBlock, students will construct a geometric self-watering planter in Tinkercad. This project will utilize advanced skills in CAD software and challenge students to think mathematically while designing. Grade Band: Middle school Primary Focus: CAD Secondary Focus: […]

Geometric Self-Watering Planter iBlock

Growing a Hydroponic Garden

iBlock Objective: Agriculture has always been one of the building blocks of human civilization. Humanity has changed a lot since civilization first began, and that includes the way we grow our plants. In this iBlock, students will explore different agricultural structures and incorporate emerging resources to cultivate a technologically-enhanced botanical space. Students will also tackle […]

Growing a Hydroponic Garden iBlock

Jurassic Kids: Design a Dinosaur

iBlock Objective: Animals of all sorts are an exciting topic for young students, especially animals as impressive as dinosaurs! In this iBlock, students will embark on a journey to discover unknown facts and features about different types of dinosaurs. They will learn about different dinosaurs and their features, and from there, design their own dinosaur […]

Jurassic Kids: Design a Dinosaur iBlock

No Poverty and Zero Hunger

iBlock Objective: When the United Nations created its Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, they stressed the importance of addressing world poverty and hunger. The first goal aims to eliminate poverty, while the second goal aims to end hunger, achieve food security, and promote sustainable agriculture. In this iBlock, students will work to help the UN […]

No Poverty and Zero Hunger iBlock

Prosthetics

Description Technology and design have had a major impact on the function of modern-day prosthetics. They’ve also served to make prosthetics more accessible. In this iBlock, students will navigate through the Engineering Design Process to design and develop a prosthetic device. To complete this task, students will explore 21st century skills such as critical thinking, […]

Prosthetics iBlock

Reimagining Public Transportation

iBlock Objective: Millions of people around the United States take a train to work each day. Some of these commuters live a short distance from their destination, but many travel over an hour just to get to work! Can you imagine a workweek where a minimum of 2 hours each day is spent commuting? As […]

Reimagining Public Transportation iBlock

Robotics: Robotic Amusement Park

iBlock Objective: For over 100 years, amusement parks have garnered the love of many families through their incredible rides. In this iBlock, students will research various amusement park rides so that they can design and build their own dream ride. Along the way, they’ll test their design and make improvements. Finally, the students will get […]

Robotics: Robotic Amusement Park iBlock

Robotics: Robotic Field Day

iBlock Objective: In our technologically advanced society, we can now program robots to compete for us! Students will show off the very best of this new age of technology while learning about the importance of the past. In this iBlock, students will research the history of past sporting events and create robots to compete in […]

Robotics: Robotic Field Day iBlock

Rube Goldberg Machines

iBlock Objective: Rube Goldberg Machines accomplish a simple task through an elaborately humorous and overcomplicated method. In this iBlock, challenge your students to think outside the box and discover the unexpected kinetic properties in everyday objects as they design their own Rube Goldberg Machine (RGM). In order to build their contraption, students will research and […]

Rube Goldberg Machines iBlock

Space Systems: Create a Model of an Eclipse

iBlock Objective: The Earth-Sun-Moon system has been studied for thousands of years. The interaction of these celestial bodies impacts our tides, seasons, and perceptions of time. In this iBlock, students explore the size and scale of our solar system and the phenomenon of eclipses. Then, students get to design and construct a model of our […]

Space Systems: Create a Model of an Eclipse iBlock

Space Systems: Engineer a Telescope

iBlock Objective: Scientists have been trying to see and explore the mysteries of the universe for centuries. Over time, our understanding of space and the technology available to view the mysteries found there has evolved. In this iBlock, students will learn about the evolution of the telescope and the optical science that makes them work. […]

Space Systems: Engineer a Telescope iBlock

Space Systems: Light and Shadows

iBlock Objective: The Earth-Sun-Moon system impacts our tides, seasons, and perceptions of time. In ancient times, engineers created some of the very first tools to measure time, including the sundial. In this iBlock, students will be challenged to design their own device to track time. Using CAD software, they will first design, and then 3D […]

Space Systems: Light and Shadows iBlock

Storytelling Through the Ages

iBlock Objective: Storytelling has been around for centuries — it is a fundamental part of being human and an essential learning tool. Our ancestors would tell stories that were passed down from generation to generation with nothing more than their imaginations. Now, we are still telling the same stories, but in new and innovative ways […]

Storytelling Through the Ages iBlock

Tiny Houses

iBlock Objective: With the world population estimated at around 7.7 billion, concerns rise over issues like housing, natural resource use, and environmental impact. Tiny houses have emerged as a movement and potential solution to mitigate our demands on energy consumption and our lifestyle footprint. Throughout this iBlock, students will explore energy consumption and efficiency, identify […]

Tiny Houses iBlock