Making the Case for
Project-Based Learning

Learn about the educational work and travels to six continents experienced by Gary Curts; a former high school Physics, Chemistry, Earth, and Life science teacher with over 40 years in the classroom. Gary has trained educators and teachers around the globe. These experiences have honed and sharpened his pedagogical beliefs and support successful outcomes with project-based learning. 

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Thank you for joining us at ScIC5 to learn more about the worldly travels and experiences of Gary Curts, our High School Science Curriculum Specialist, around Project-Based Learning #PBL.
We look forward to seeing you at another event!

Gary Curts

Retired High School Science Teacher
High School Science Curriculum Specialist

Gary Curts is a 40-year veteran teacher of Physics, Chemistry, Earth, and Life Science. He was a teacher in Dublin, Ohio and retired in 2015. While teaching, he was concurrently on a special assignment with Dublin Schools Curriculum Department, his specialty being student-centered classrooms and metacognition. Gary has been instrumental in supporting and helping teachers around the world implement Project-based Learning.

Gary is also an avid skydiver (4 continents) and is currently taking lessons on driving Ferrari race cars. He is an amateur ornithologist and astronomer, provocateur of physical fitness, and a wine collector. He was in New Zealand on White Island (Whakaari) with 3 geologists a few months before it erupted.

Connect with Gary at gcurts@activatelearning.com

GC
gary sky diving

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

1

This picture came from the necropolis of Saqqara, just south of Giza (Cairo). The red pigment used came from an oxide of copper found in Egypt. The age of the painting is estimated to be around 5,000 years old. It is from the Tomb of Perneb. Photo credit: Gary Curts

2

This picture also is from the Saqqara necropolis. These pigments also are from minerals containing iron, chromium, copper, and aluminum. This painting was found in a small tomb near the Pyramid of Unas. Photo credit: Gary Curts

4

This beautiful waterfall is situated between the border of Brazil (20% of the falls) and Argentina (80% of the falls), however, about 95% of the falls river basin lies in Brazil. There are about 250-275 separate falls and the total length of the falls is 2.7 km (1.7 miles). The highest falls have a drop of 83m (270 feet). Picture taken by Gary Curts.

3
There was a hit and run accident in Bangkok in 2012 and it involved a Ferrari FF, like the one pictured here. This accident prompted a Physics project with several schools in Thailand about what could be done to improve the safety of the driver of the car and any pedestrian or motorcyclist unlucky enough to be involved. Designing and/or improving the safety devices to help better protect pedestrians and the driver/passenger. No photo credit.
5

This picture of the San Andreas Fault was snapped from an airplane in central California. This is a beautiful example of a transverse fault. No photo credit.

FEATURED PROGRAMS

Active Physics®

Three-Dimensional, Project-Based Learning

  • Embraces the three-dimensional learning of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), seamlessly integrating:
    • science and engineering practices
    • crosscutting concepts
    • core ideas
  • Each chapter is anchored in an interesting and meaningful challenge.
  • Students use their new physics knowledge to creatively solve their Chapter Challenges.
  • New! Interactive Digital Edition

Active Chemistry®

A full-year, NSF-funded chemistry curriculum that embraces the three-dimensional learning of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for ALL students.

Three-Dimensional, Project-Based Learning

    • Science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and core ideas are seamlessly integrated.
    • Each chapter is anchored in an interesting and meaningful challenge.
    • Students use their new chemistry knowledge to creatively solve their Chapter Challenges.
    • New! Interactive Digital Edition

Active Physical Science®

A full-year, NSF-funded curriculum that embraces the three-dimensional learning of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for ALL students.

Three-Dimensional, Project-Based Learning

  • Science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and core ideas are seamlessly integrated.
  • Each chapter is anchored in an interesting and meaningful challenge.
  • Students use their new chemistry knowledge to creatively solve their Chapter Challenges.

EarthComm®

A full-year Earth and Space science curriculum developed by the American Geosciences Institute (AGI).

Three-Dimensional, Project-Based Learning

  • Embraces the three-dimensional learning of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), seamlessly integrating:
    • science and engineering practices
    • crosscutting concepts
    • core ideas
  • Each chapter anchored in an interesting and meaningful challenge
  • Promotes systems thinking about matter and energy flow over time and space
  • New! Interactive Digital Edition

Engineering the Future (EtF)®

Engineering the Future (EtF) is a set of high school modules that can be taught as a one-year course or as four eight-week projects.

Three-Dimensional, Project-Based Learning

  • Students explore crosscutting concepts of
    • energy and matter
    • systems and systems models
    • structure and function
  • Produced by the National Center for Technological Literacy, Museum of Science, Boston
  • Fully supports the Next Generation Science Standards and Standards for Technological Literacy
  • NEW! Interactive Digital Edition Coming Soon

RESOURCES