Saturday, April 26, 2025
The East Rockaway School District embraces Project-Based Learning to empower students, shifting the focus from instructor-led to student-led education.
On March 11, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Sean Murray outlined the district's commitment to this approach during a presentation to the Board of Education at Centre Avenue School.
PBL engages students in real-world projects, fostering deep content knowledge along with critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication skills.
It is grounded in the ‘Gold Standard PBL’ model, which provides frameworks for educators to develop high-quality projects and refine their teaching practices.
The district’s approach allows students to tackle authentic problems and challenges, culminating in public presentations of their work.
Teachers Alexis Freudenberg and Molly DeBenedetto highlighted the transformation of students into leaders and the approach’s benefits for those who struggle with traditional learning methods.
Murray showcased several standout PBL projects, including an eighth-grade ‘human body museum,’ and a collaboration between high school students and Centre Avenue kindergarteners to build life-sized wooden snowmen.
Freudenberg's class at Rhame Avenue organized a successful Kindness Week, with students managing everything from promotional materials to video production.
Murray emphasized that PBL helps students develop skills that go beyond standardized testing, such as leadership, organization, creativity, and technical skills. As New York State explores alternative graduation pathways, including portfolio-based assessments, East Rockaway's PBL initiative positions its students ahead of the curve.
By November, all teachers in the district will be trained in PBL to ensure its widespread implementation. Board members praised the approach, with Board President Peter McNally noting that hands-on learning is the most effective way to retain knowledge.
