Primary Sources and Potato Chips: Engaging Students Through Real-World Learning

Outline

Content and Engagement:
This session models a project-based lesson where students research a sports team using primary and secondary sources, then apply findings to design a creative product—a new chip flavor for that team’s stadium. Attendees will experience each step of the lesson, discuss adaptations for their classrooms, and collaborate to design their own version of the project.

Time:
Introduction and overview – 10 minutes
Modeling and research activity – 15 minutes
Project creation and collaboration – 20 minutes
Sharing and discussion – 10 minutes
Reflection and wrap-up – 5 minutes

Process:
The session will include frequent audience interaction through small-group collaboration, device-based research, and creative brainstorming. Attendees will work together to analyze sample sources, design a mock chip flavor, and share ideas for connecting academic standards to authentic, engaging student projects.

Outcomes

After this session, participants will be able to implement a project-based lesson that combines research, creativity, and collaboration to deepen student engagement. They will learn how to guide students in analyzing primary and secondary sources, connect academic content to real-world applications, and design authentic projects that promote curiosity and teamwork.

Supporting research

Library of Congress. Using Primary Sources in the Classroom. https://www.loc.gov/teachers/usingprimarysources

Buck Institute for Education (PBLWorks). Project-Based Learning: Why It Matters. https://www.pblworks.org

John Larmer & John R. Mergendoller. Setting the Standard for Project-Based Learning. ASCD, 2015.

Project Management Institute Educational Foundation (PMIEF). Resources for Teaching Project Management to Youth. https://pmief.org

DECA Inc. Project-Based Learning and Career Readiness Resources. https://www.deca.org