Why isn’t project-based learning working for you or your learners?

Unlike traditional PBL, Authentic Project-Learning Experiences (APLEs) focus on learner-directed inquiry and create opportunities to solve real-world challenges while connecting learners with community experts. Our approach emphasizes learner agency while recognizing a teacher’s vital role in project and assessment design.

Key Features of APLEs:

  1. Authentic Learning: APLEs let learners direct their inquiry into real-life challenges as they build community-connected networks, making education immediately relevant. Students no longer passively learn to work but actively work to learn!

  2. Project-based Learning Pedagogy: We coach you to design and implement APLEs that balance creativity with targeted outcomes, infuse formative assessment throughout the learning experience, and ensure meaningful engagement as students master Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge/Standards (ASKs) through our Five Stages of Formative Assessment.

  3. Experiential Learning: Inspired by John Dewey's philosophy, APLEs create "forked-road situations" where learners face authentic challenges. Learning begins with experience, paving the way for reflection and deeper critical thinking.

  4. Inclusive Approach: APLEs are tailored for all learners and applied across diverse subjects; we partner with educators from PreK to the university level. Our approach extends to professional development (in-person or virtual), where we turn educational dilemmas into APLEs for you.

APLEs and Your Curriculum

APLEs aren’t just one-and-done learning experiences. Once teachers have designed their own APLEs, it’s time to consider how they can be used throughout the scope and sequence of your curriculum to achieve the attributes and skills in your Graduate Profile. Over the years, we’ve worked with schools, districts, and statewide organizations in California, Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico to vertically align APLEs across curricula and ensure Graduate Profile outcomes are achieved.

Unleash the potential of APLEs today! With the assistance of Project ARC’s cadre of project coaches, design an authentic project-learning experience and empower yourself and your learners to navigate and conquer real-world challenges connected to your content and standards. Don't wait—start your APLE journey now.

Try an APLE before you design one!

Project ARC’s Harvested APLEs aren’t a scripted curriculum; they’re tailored to your community context.

Cover page of a project titled 'Crime and Justice,' describing it as an authentic project-learning experience suitable for grades 6-12, involving ELA, math, or social studies, authored by Dayna Laur, Ed.D. The cover features a minimalist red apple outline with a leaf and a logo in the bottom left corner representing Project ARC with icons and text in yellow, green, red, and blue.
Cover page of a project titled 'Better Biking Through Calculus' by Andreas Zanela, describing an authentic project-learning experience for grades 11-12 in calculus, engineering, and physics, featuring a simple red outline of an apple with a leaf at the bottom right corner and a multi-colored logo with small apple icons and the words 'Authenticity,' 'Relevancy,' and 'Community' at the bottom left.
Cover page for 'Flood Fighters!', an educational project for grades 6-12 in science, math, and engineering by Dr. Tim Kubik, featuring a minimalist red outline of an apple with a leaf, and the Project ARC logo in the bottom left corner.
Book cover titled 'Bold Books' with subtitle 'An Authentic Project-Learning Experience Suitable for Grades 6-8 Middle School ELA' by Natalie Stevie. Features a red outline of an apple with a leaf at the bottom right corner, and the Project ARC logo at the bottom left corner.
Cover page for a project titled 'Business Makeover,' describing an authentic project-learning experience for grades 6-12 in art, design, family, and consumer sciences, authored by Rachel Castle, with a logo at the bottom showing an apple with icons labeled 'Authenticity,' 'Relevancy,' and 'Community,' and the text 'Project ARC'.
Cover page of a project titled "A Bank for Your School" by Priscilla Ross Davis, featuring a red outline of an apple with a leaf.
Title slide with text 'Welcome to School! An Authentic Project-Learning Experience Suitable for Grades 1-2 Social Studies (with options for ELA/Math) Katherine Cooper'. The slide features a simple, stylized red outline of an apple with a leaf and the Project ARC logo in the bottom left corner.
Cover page for a project titled 'Student Designs for Environmental Action' by Sue Walters, featuring a simplified red outline of an apple, along with logos for authenticity, relevance, and community at the bottom.

Let’s work together.

Are you ready to transform learning at your school? Tell us about your goals, and we'll reach out to explore how Project ARC can help.