Sample Problem-Based Learning Scenarios

Note: Links are provided for scenarios borrowed or adapted from online resources.
Grade
Level
K

Topic

Scenario

Day and Night

Sky

Some classrooms in our school do not have windows. Wouldnt it be nice to be able to
see the daytime skyno matter where you are in the building? Create a window or
view of the daytime sky that could be hung on the wall of any classroom.
Its Apple pickin time in Ellijay, Georgia! You get up early and are ready to go.
Design and build an easy to carry container that will hold as many apples as possible.
Can your container hold three apples?
Its a beautiful day to go to the pool. You and your friends have decided to have a
boat race. To make it even better, each of you will design and build your own boat.
Build your boat so that it floats in the pool. Challenge: See if your boat can hold a
toy.
Your Canadian cousins are visiting Atlanta in early October. They do not know what
types of clothes to pack but do know that each family member may only bring one
suitcase. Write a packing list for your 7 year old cousin so that hell be best prepared
for Atlantas October weather.
Atlantas Center for Puppetry Arts is considering a shadow puppet program for small
children. Create a shadow puppet show for a well-known nursery rhyme to entertain
an audience and convince them its a good idea.
Farmers are always looking for more efficient planting methods. As an engineer, you
can help solve challenges such as these by designing machines or systems to help
complete a job. See if you can design a new system for farmers to use. Your model,
using every day materials, should be able to drop a sunflower seed every 15
centimeters over a 60 centimeter distance.
http://tryengineering.org/sites/default/files/lessons/planting_1.pdf
Your classroom is always cold! Your teacher does not allow students to wear coats
indoors. While you are not allowed to use additional materials, you are permitted to
do things to warm yourself upas long as theyre not a distraction to those around
you. Create a poster that shows 5 Ways to Warm Up in your classroom.
As a packer in Amazons Georgia Fulfillment Center, your job is to package
customers orders in boxes. Company executives feel that too many boxes are being
used and wish to save money. Youve been tasked with finding a way to package a
customers order in the provided box in such a way that the shipment and
functionality of the items are not damaged. (Consider items that could be folded,
taken apart, etc.) Great link for your reference, NOT to share with kids:
http://mentalfloss.com/article/61249/13-secrets-amazon-warehouse-employees
Your best friend is going camping, and you want to go. On this camping trip there
will be no electronics or batteries. You are not even allowed to wear a watch or bring

Gravity/Math

Physical
Properties of
Matter
1

Weather and
seasons

Light and
shadows
Plants

Energy

States of
Matter/Change
s of Objects

Motion and
Celestial

Bodies

a cell phone. Unfortunately, you are recovering from an illness, and your mom is
very concerned that you take your medicine at the same time every day. In order to
convince her that you can go on this camping trip you need to devise a solution that
will make sure you take your medicine at the same time every day.
Rocks and
Geologists wanted! Third graders at (You name it!) Elementary are investigating
Minerals
rocks and their properties. Create a field guide to help them identify common
igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks.
Animal
The Georgia DNR is kicking off a campaign to educate citizens about the effects of
Habitats
habitat destruction. You, a wildlife biologist for the Environmental Protection
Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, are charged with creating a
public service announcement to air on local television. (Idea: Different teams for
different habitat areas?)
Heat
Youd like to take soup to school for lunch tomorrow, but the idea of cold soup is not
appealing. Unfortunately, your thermos cant be found. Design a container to keep
your soup as warm as possibleusing only available every day items.
Weather
Tritt is considering adding a weather segment to the morning announcements during
Severe Weather Awareness Week. Mrs. Bates is looking for knowledgeable
meteorologists to provide the forecast. Create a 5-day forecast that identifies key
components on the weather map and that includes interpretation of data.
Space
As a member of the current International Space Station expedition, youve been
tasked with composing weekly podcasts for fourth graders back home. This weeks
podcast focuses on stars, planets, and the technology used to view them. The view up
here is amazing! http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/diypodcast/spacestation-index-diy.html#.VNADiWjF-gY
Adaptation
The U.S. Army at Ft. Benning is looking to develop leaders in Learning Adaptation
and Innovationservice members who demonstrate flexibility of thought and an
ability to adapt to future unknowns. As an aspiring leader in this area, youve been
tasked with creating a product that is based on an animal's adaptation and that would
be useful and relevant for daily life in active service.
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/story/news/education/schools/2014/10/08/studentsmake-real-world-projects-based-enhancing-soldiers-lives/16921151/
Constructive
The Cobb Board of Commissioners, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of
and Destructive Natural Resources, is forming an Emergency Preparedness Task Force. Youre
Forces
charged with researching the factors and impact on homes, businesses, and schools-related to the devastating floods of 2009. Prepare a proposal for revitalization of
Austell, GA, that includes plans for control of this destructive force and its impact on
the town. Be prepared to present your proposal to the Cobb County Board of
Commissioners.
Electricity
You are a researcher whose mission is to discover a new species. Your current
location is in a remote area with no access to electricity. You must research means for
generating electricity and design a cabin thats capable of producing the electricity

Classification
of Organisms

you need. You must use more than one source.

You, a renowned biologist known for traveling the world in search of new species,
have just made the greatest discovery of your career. National Geographic magazine
is asking for the exclusive on your discovery. Draft a memo to the editor in which
you describe the species in detail, its habitat, and your rationale for its classification.
Be sure to include a detailed photograph of your subject.