Category: Authentic Project Ideas

What is the history of the umbrella?  When was the umbrella invented?  What have umbrellas been used for? (Umbrellas are being used in a very creative way in the above photograph.)

Authentic Research – You might be surprised at the lengthy history of the umbrella.

Authentic Project – Maybe a student can design a better umbrella.  Or create a beautiful umbrella.  Develop a timeline for the history of the umbrella.  Or maybe the above photograph is an inspiration for a creative writing project.

Or – what causes rain?  Remember in authentic learning students often end up exploring a related/different topic inspired by the original topic.  Umbrellas shield a person from rain, so what causes rain?  What causes a drought?  Can we make it rain?  What happens when there is a rain delay in a baseball game?…

Authentic Geography – If you want to know where this picture was taken, contact me through my blog, I will be happy to give you some clues!

There are so many authentic projects that can be inspired by bird feeders.  Do different kinds of birds need different kinds of feeders? Do different kinds of birds eat different kinds of bird food?  Once you start feeding birds it is important to not stop.  Why?  How about designing and building a bird feeder?  (Research/reading, writing, math, science…)

In my neighborhood we have a huge problem with bears feeding from the bird feeders.  To the point that we have been asked to not put out bird feeders.

So maybe a great authentic project would be to design a bear-proof bird feeder.  Let me know what you come up with –  I would love to be able to put up a bird feeder in my backyard!

Trains have always fascinated people.  There is something about watching a train come down the tracks.  Where is it coming from?  Where is it going?  What is it carrying?

So many authentic project ideas:  The history of trains. Who invented the train?  In what country did trains first run?  How did trains lead to the settlement of the United States?  How much cargo is carried by trains in your country/in other countries?  What influences the use of trains in a country – harbors/water access for ships, terrain, expense…

What problems are trains facing today?  Design a better/faster train? Build a model train.  The history of model trains…

What is the inside of Queen Elizabeth’s private train car like? Design a private train car fit for a queen.  That would be my project!

Caverns and caves. What secrets do they hold? What are the most famous caverns and caves?  Why?  Where are they located? What is the difference between a cavern and a cave?  How do they form? How long do they take to form?  Are they still forming/changing?  What is the difference between a stalactite and a stalagmite? How do they form?  How long do they take to form?  What is a spelunker?

Lots of research…lots of directions this could go as an authentic project.  You may end up with student created stalactites and stalagmites, a student created cavern… or a student written novel about a lost treasure found in a cave…

Why did the Japanese give Cherry Blossom trees to the city of Washington, D.C.?

What is the story behind the gift?  Do the trees represent something?  Are Cherry Blossom trees well suited for the D.C. climate, was that why they were chosen?

What tree would be a good gift from one country to another?  Have other countries received trees as gifts? What kind of tree would make a good gift for a special birthday?  Why is a tree a good gift?  How can you gift a tree to someone?

So many questions that might lead to an authentic project.  And if you end up the proud owner of a special tree in a big pot in your home, or in your yard, you can thank me later!

I recently ate at a restaurant which was decorated with ukuleles.  I really know very little about ukuleles. Where were they invented?  Where are they popular? What is the difference between a ukulele and a guitar? Do they tend to be played for a specific kind of music?

Projects could include a timeline history of the ukulele.  Perhaps comparing and contrasting string instruments.  Building a string instrument.  Learning to play a string instrument.  Writing music for a string instrument.  Performing on a string instrument.  Researching the history of the flute – remember for true authentic learning, the project is driven by student interest.  If your student is not interested in ukuleles, this can be a jumping off point for another musical instrument.  If this leads to a discussion about marching bands, which leads to a discussion about football, which leads to a project about football…that is authentic learning!