Students enrolled in New College programs at UNT at Frisco have the unique opportunity to gain experience through project-based learning.

Students have the opportunity to present creative solutions to real problems businesses are facing, and depending on the program, these problems are offered to program directors by industry, civic, and community partners. Some past partners who have worked closely with these students include Toyota, Sam’s Club, the City of Frisco, and the Good Samaritan Society.

Focusing on multidisciplinary, collaborative, applied educational experiences, New College faculty said project-based learning creates a more enriching environment for students and has even led to job offers for graduating students from business partners.

New College is hosting a free symposium on project-based learning at UNT Frisco from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday August 10.

“The goal of project-based learning is to give students a project from the beginning, and then have them understand the relevance of their learning, because they have to learn more in order to complete the project,” said Shari Childers, Academic Associate Dean of New College. She contrasts this with “dessert projects” that are often done at the end of a unit or class to show what students have already learned.

Clinical Assistant Professor Melissa McKay said the concept of “failing forward” is a key aspect of project-based learning.

“When we work with our students, if they don't figure out that next step on their own, or if they crash and burn, then they're in a very safe space to do that,” McKay said. “They learn how to adapt and overcome.”

Childers said this symposium will be beneficial for educators “whether they're learning about project-based learning for the first time or reinvigorating a practice that they're already using.”

During the symposium, participants will have the opportunity to explore a wide array of topic areas that are crucial to project-based learning. Each session will be led by esteemed experts in the field, ensuring that attendees gain insights from research-driven implementation strategies.

Among the notable speakers are Todd Stanley, best known as “The Gifted Guy” who is a leading educator and advocate for project-based learning; Dr. Kristin Petrunin, a seasoned Career & Technical Education (CTE) Administrator and expert in e-portfolio development and authentic assessment; and Dr. Jeff Allen, a prominent Regents Professor known for his collaborative strategies and expertise in maintaining community relationships.

The symposium will feature a range of learning opportunities, including lecture-style presentations, engaging panel discussions, Q&A sessions and interactive sessions for participants to connect with one another and exchange ideas.

McKay said speakers at the symposium will also talk about conflict management.

“Almost all of our project-based learning is done in groups because life does not exist in a void,” she said. “So we'll talk about how to mitigate conflict but also to help our students through that conflict.”

McKay further emphasized that project-based learning can help instructors overcome the challenges of diminished student engagement experienced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is a really great way to learn how to reinvigorate your classroom so that students look forward to learning,” said McKay.

Project-based learning not only contributes to students' success within the classroom but also equips them with valuable skills for their professional lives.

“We've had a lot of really impressive student success from our programs that focus on project-based learning,” Childers said. “We've had project partners that have offered to hire our students before they're even graduated because of the impressive skills that they're showing off in our programs and our classrooms.”

Childers added that project-based learning can make the classroom more fun for educators as well as students.

This symposium is free, but participants must reserve their spot by July 31. Click here to register for the event. Once registered, participants will receive a detailed schedule of the day’s events, including information about lunch options and other pertinent details.

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