What Is Project-Based Learning? Project-based learning is an instructional approach designed to give students the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills through engaging projects set around challenges and problems they may face in the real world. Why Project-Based Learning? We Live in a Project-Based World The truth is, many in education recognize that our modern world is sustained and advanced through the successful completion of projects. It’s true! Your weekend chores, an upcoming presentation, or organizing a fundraising event—they’re all projects. Therefore, we need to help our children become acquainted to how the world operates through real-world projects and their applications. And PBL prepares students to be self-sufficient, creative, and critical thinkers that can take on any challenge. 7 Essential Elements for Project-Based Learning 1. Challenging Problem A project is always based on a meaningful problem to be solved. A well-designed question or problem gives students room to elaborate and explore throughout the learning process. 2. Sustained Inquiry Students completing a project engage in an extended and rigorous research process that includes inquiry, research, and application. A high-quality project requires students to think critically about the driving question, problem, or challenge. 3. Authenticity An authentic project involves real-world context, addresses 21st century skills, and speaks to relevant concerns, interests, and issues in the students’ lives. An authentic project also connects students to other people and communities, creating a unique learning experience. 4. Student Voice and Choice Project-Based Learning gives students the opportunity to make decisions about what they create and how to express their ideas. This inherent autonomy creates a strong sense of ownership in students, pushing them to work harder and care more about their chosen project. 5. Reflection A well-designed project includes structured time for reflection. Time set aside for reflection gives students a chance to make necessary

New year is coming and it’s time to use table calendars to remind of important milestones of a year ahead. With the 2021 Tet holiday, instead of buying table calendars at bookstores, students of Grade 7 & 8 of UTS could create their own table calendars of the new year. By their creativity, UTS-ers built ideas, divided tasks, drew and painted lovely table calendars in various concepts: the Zodiac, traditional Tet holiday, animation, etc. These table calendars may not be the most gorgeous ones but they marked the eternal creativity of our UTS-ers. The table calendars will be exhibited in a small area of UTS which contributes more colors to the Tet space there. Let’s have a look at lovely table calendars of our students!

The cross-curricular project Grade 8,9, and 11: “Understanding the dangerous diseases caused by viruses” created a new approach to knowledge, helping students to learn better the knowledge of Biology which seems to be very “difficult-to-remember”.  After a period of searching for information about viruses, students will summarize the useful knowledge under the guidance of teachers. From there, UTS-ers will present this knowledge in the form of a design product with practical value such as Poster, handbook, picture…  This activity not only helps to equip UTS-ers with knowledge about the viruses that have been affecting our health but also raises awareness about the prevention of diseases, especially in a complicated period of Covid-19 situation. Also, teamwork and designing of these products help UTS-ers practice teamwork skills, planning and presenting products as well as increase creativity and get familiar with basic design software.