PBL Simplified for Teachers by Magnify Learning

PBL Simplified for Teachers by Magnify Learning
Podcast Description
WHAT: Weekly episodes for PBL TEACHERS. Guest and solo episodes to answer your most significant PBL Need to Knows. We bring information AND inspiration!
WHO: Brought to you by Magnify Learning, your customized PBL partner for over a decade.
CALL TO ACTION: Subscribe for a PBL resource in every episode
FREE RESOURCE: Go to WhatisPBL.com for your first free resource.
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Magnify Learning is a teacher driven organization dedicated to expanding the use of high quality Project Based Learning (PBL) through Project Based Learning professional development. We provide customized PBL Workshops and Coaching for schools and districts, individual teachers and small groups, administrators and afterschool workers. Our emphasis is on building relational culture and authenticity.
We don’t just talk about transforming education through Project Based Learning — we are actively engaged in the implementation of PBL across the country. Our passion is using Project Based Learning professional development to improve the lives of students and move educators to their sweet spot, defined as the place where they have purpose and can live out their “Why!”
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on the themes of project-based learning (PBL), its academic benefits, social-emotional learning (SEL), and future readiness for students. Episodes explore specific topics, such as the effectiveness of PBL for K-12 education, stories of successful PBL initiatives, and the vital role of professional development for teachers. For example, one episode discusses how PBL engages students from low socioeconomic backgrounds and leads to notable increases in standardized test scores.

WHAT: Weekly episodes for PBL TEACHERS. Guest and solo episodes to answer your most significant PBL Need to Knows. We bring information AND inspiration!
WHO: Brought to you by Magnify Learning, your customized PBL partner for over a decade.
CALL TO ACTION: Subscribe for a PBL resource in every episode
FREE RESOURCE: Go to WhatisPBL.com for your first free resource.
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PBL Simplified for Teachers
Helping You Teach Like You’ve Always Wanted
You became a teacher to engage learners, spark curiosity, and make a real impact—not to just hand out worksheets and prep for tests. PBL Simplified for Teachers is here to help you bring Project Based Learning (PBL) to life in your classroom.
Hosted by Ryan Steuer of Magnify Learning, this podcast is your go-to resource for practical PBL strategies, real teacher success stories, and expert insights to make your teaching more engaging, meaningful, and effective. Whether you’re new to PBL or looking to refine your practice, each episode delivers actionable tips to help you confidently create learner-centered, real-world experiences.
If you’re ready to teach like you’ve always wanted to, hit subscribe and start teaching like you’ve always wanted!

This episode features Ashley Curtin, a district coach from Calvert County, Maryland. Calvert County’s PBL movement began in social studies and has expanded across subjects and schools. Ashley will share concrete examples of PBL units, discuss local context, authenticity, and the integration of CTE programs. PBL is bringing hope and joy to classrooms.
Ashley’s Work and PBL in Calvert County
- Ashley is a district coach working with PBL teachers.
- The PBL initiative started in social studies to increase engagement and has spread across the district.
- Ashley is now under Career Technical Education (CTE) funding and is building relationships with CTE instructors.
- She connects teachers and suggests collaborations.
- A key to her approach is meeting people where they are at with their mindset and comfort level with PBL.
PBL Unit Examples
- Eighth Grade Science & Culinary Arts:
- An eighth-grade science teacher developed a project about invasive species, initially thinking about a cookbook.
- The project shifted to educating the public about invasive fish in the Chesapeake Bay and Puxon River.
- Students created posters, social media posts, and websites with QR codes to educate the community.
- Culinary program seniors developed recipes for invasive fish, which were judged in a “Chopped” style competition.
- The eighth graders then featured these recipes on their websites and in their outreach materials.
- The project culminated in presentations to community partners, including the Department of Agriculture and local restaurant owners.
- Third Grade Storybook Project:
- A third-grade team created storybooks about different regions of the United States.
- The project integrated science, social studies, and ELA standards.
- Students recorded themselves reading the books, which were accessed via QR codes in the front covers.
- They sold the books to families, and the project culminated in an author signing event with over 150 attendees.
Roses, Buds, and Thorns
- Rose (What’s going well):
- The shift to CTE funding is a big win.
- CTE programs already have authenticity, so the focus is on infusing pedagogical practices and PBL structures.
- Bud (Promising practices):
- PBL is now a strategic goal for the district.
- There is work with math instructors, and an effort to reimagine education with PBL.
- The adaptability of the PBL framework is allowing it to take shape in different ways.
- Thorn (Challenges):
- Ashley’s capacity to support the growing PBL movement is limited.
- There is a need to convince more decision-makers to invest in PBL and create core leadership positions.
- Some teachers who signed up for training are reluctant to fully embrace the PBL mindset and implementation.
- Ashley wants to encourage these teachers without making them feel like they are being dragged along.
Addressing the Challenges (Thorns)
- Capacity: The need for more resources and core leaders in buildings and across grade levels/content areas is a significant challenge.
- Hesitant Teachers:
- Invite teachers to observe successful PBL classrooms.
- Invite teachers to participate in tuning protocols.
- Provide opportunities for collaborative support and reflection.
- Share a PBL newsletter to highlight best practices and provide resources.
- Highlight teachers and their work in a positive way in order to give them affirmation.
Getting Administrative Buy-In
- Track data like student engagement, attendance, and discipline to show the impact of PBL.
- Share positive stories from PBL classrooms with principals to improve community perception of the school.
- Promote the idea of training coaches to implement PBL in individual schools.
- Highlight that educators can learn from their own colleagues and don’t necessarily need to travel to conferences.
Optimism about Education
- PBL is re-engaging teachers and showing them the power of their work.
- It shifts teachers’ views of students, moving away from negative assumptions.
- PBL has the power to transform education and engage students long after the project is over.
Resources
Disclaimer
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