East Rockaway School District

East Rockaway Embraces Project-Based Learning to Empower Students

On Mar. 11, East Rockaway’s Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Mr. Sean Murray, delivered a compelling presentation on Project-Based Learning (PBL) to the Board of Education at their meeting, held at Centre Avenue School.

Project-Based Learning is the cornerstone of East Rockaway’s teaching philosophy, shifting the focus from instructor-led to student-led learning. This method engages students in real-world and personally meaningful projects, fostering deep content knowledge along with critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication skills.

East Rockaway’s approach is grounded in the “Gold Standard PBL” model, which provides two essential frameworks for educators: the Seven Essential Project Design Elements, guiding the development of high-quality classroom projects, and the Seven Project-Based Teaching Practices, which help teachers, schools, and organizations refine and assess their teaching methods.

Through this hands-on approach, students take on authentic problems and challenges, culminating in a public presentation of their work. They become active participants in their education, following their interests and curiosity to deepen their understanding of various subjects.

East Rockaway teachers Ms. Alexis Freudenberg and Ms. Molly DeBenedetto shared their classroom experiences with PBL. Ms. DeBenedetto emphasized that this approach transforms students into leaders, marking a fundamental mindset shift in education. Ms. Freudenberg acknowledged the initial challenge of relinquishing control to students but ultimately recognized the immense benefits, particularly for those who struggle with traditional learning methods. She compared PBL to a ramp replacing stairs—while stairs serve able-bodied individuals, a ramp is inclusive to all. Similarly, PBL accommodates both high-achieving students and those with learning challenges, creating a more accessible and equitable learning environment.

During the presentation, Mr. Murray showcased several standout PBL projects from East Rockaway classrooms. A key component of successful PBL is providing students with an authentic audience to review their work. East Rockaway invites parents, peers, and community members—both in person and virtually—to engage with students’ final projects and offer feedback.

Among the highlighted projects was a “human body museum” created by eighth grade Living Environment students. Each student researched a specific human body system and built interactive exhibits using various materials such as yarn and cardboard tubes to represent different organs and structures. In another project, high school students collaborated with Centre Avenue kindergarteners to construct life-sized wooden snowmen in a construction class led by tech teacher Mr. Hugh Howard.

One particularly impressive example came from Ms. Freudenberg’s class at Rhame Avenue School, where students organized, publicized, and led a school-wide initiative called “Kindness Week.” They designed promotional materials using Canva, a graphic design tool, and independently produced a video documenting the project, handling everything from scripting and directing to filming and editing.

Mr. Murray noted that the skills developed through such projects—leadership, organization, creativity, and technical skills—extend beyond standardized testing measures. This is a defining advantage of Project-Based Learning: its benefits, while not always quantifiable on paper, have a profound impact on students’ personal and academic growth.

As New York State explores alternative graduation pathways, potentially moving away from Regents Exams toward portfolio-based assessments, East Rockaway’s commitment to PBL positions its students ahead of the curve. By November, all teachers in the district will be trained in PBL to ensure its widespread implementation.

While Mr. Murray acknowledged that some subjects, such as algebra, still benefit from traditional learning methods for certain concepts, he emphasized that PBL can enhance many areas across all disciplines.

Following the presentation, board members engaged in a discussion on various aspects of PBL, including assessment methods, the breadth of subjects it encompasses, and resource availability for students. Board President Mr. Peter McNally praised the approach, stating, “I know for me, personally, if someone tells me how to do something, it goes in one ear and out the other. If they show me, there’s a better chance, but if I actually have to do it—I’ll never forget it.”

With strong support from educators and administrators, East Rockaway’s Project-Based Learning initiative continues to enrich students’ educational experiences, equipping them with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in an ever-evolving world.