Project-Based Learning at NSA

NSA’s Academics are known throughout the industry as one of the most innovative, rigorous and creative programs out there. Our success with engaging all learning styles and developing academic skills is due in large part to our dedicated teachers implementing project- and problem-based learning in their classrooms.
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This learning model begins with students and teachers collaborating to develop a project to be completed or a problem to be solved by the end of the semester. Teachers then develop steps to achieve this goal which incorporate the semester’s learning objectives, so that they are met as our students progress through the project.

This learning model helps to develop student ownership of their learning and allows students to place tasks and lessons into a greater context, improving student engagement. At the end of each semester, our community celebrates these projects at the Academic Fair, where students share the results of their efforts with their peers and staff. 
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This semester, students are working on various projects, including:

• A Rube Goldberg machine in Physics that demonstrates natural laws
• Recreating famous or student-generated works of art using mathematical functions
• A collaborative project to answer the question “What is Life?” in both Biology and Literature
• Student-written mystery screenplays inspired by their reading of The Maltese Falcon

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