PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – Calvert County Public Schools’ RISE Project-Based Learning (PBL) program is changing how students engage with education. Launched in the 2022-2023 school year, this program is making waves in the community.
Funded by a grant from the Maryland State Department of Education, RISE aims to boost student engagement and aligns with Maryland’s educational goals. Scott McComb, the Director of System and Instructional Performance at CCPS, designed this initiative to help teachers effectively implement project-based learning.
A New Learning Experience
“Project-based learning adds real-world impact to education,” says Ashley Curtin, the program lead. “Students work to solve meaningful problems for our community.”
Teachers involved in the program receive in-depth training. They collaborate and participate in ongoing professional development. The program includes a variety of instructors, covering both general education and specialized subjects like health sciences and engineering.
In June 2024, the program expanded, securing additional funding for career and technical education. This change allowed for more educators to join, including those in medical and law enforcement fields.
Engaging Projects
The RISE program has launched several impactful projects that connect classroom learning to real-world issues.
One notable project, “Eat Your Problems,” took place at Mill Creek Middle School. Eighth-grade science students addressed the issue of invasive fish species in local waters. They created public awareness materials, including brochures and digital flyers detailing the impact of these species and offering recipes for cooking them.
Collaborating with culinary students, they developed easy recipes and shared them at school events, complete with photos of their dishes.
Another example is the effort at St. Leonard Elementary. Third graders worked to solve the problem of single-use plastic waste by advocating for a new water bottle refilling station. They researched the environmental impact and presented their findings to school leaders, successfully garnering support for their initiative.
At Windy Hill Middle School, seventh graders designed and presented children’s books on Mesoamerican cultures for first graders. This project, focused on teaching younger students, blended social studies and literacy skills while promoting collaboration between different grades and schools.
Students at Calvert High School tackled vaping by researching its impact on education. They suggested installing vape detectors and created a detailed presentation for the school board, leading to a pilot program for these devices.
Building Community Connections
Curtin highlights the role of community involvement in the RISE program’s success. Parents and local experts contribute their knowledge and skills to enrich the students’ experiences.
To date, over 66 educators have been trained through the RISE program. This initiative is transforming classrooms in Calvert County by emphasizing hands-on learning and community engagement, setting a new standard for schools in Maryland.
Check out this related article: Gratitude in Action: Celebrating Our Board of Education’s Impact on Schools
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