The Stats on Studying Project-Based Learning Experience

Have you ever wondered why some people are so good at remembering information? Has it befuddled you what keeps your childhood phone number firmly cemented in your brain when you cannot remember what day of the week it is? Or why do your children remember certain multiplication facts better than others?

The sixth grade students have been learning about statistics and memory in our exciting Stats on Studying PBL. During this project-based learning experience, students have conducted tests to discover what memorization techniques can help them remember information. 

6A students with Mr. Zaiser after gathering and analyzing their own data, as well as learning how to use statistics in sports. 

To kick off the experience, students heard from Mr. Bill Zaiser, a Landon High School mathematics teacher, who taught them about the importance and real-world applications of statistics. Not only did they find out why statistics almost guaranteed no school on Monday, the 26th, but they also collected and analyzed data from rolling dice.

Students roll two dice and record the sums to collect data.

A student collected and analyzed data from word recall tests.

Working in project groups, they have researched memory-enhancing techniques, such as chunking, using colored paper, or creating a story out of the content, and designed experiments to test the effectiveness of these techniques. They conducted their experiments with other students and used statistical analyses to determine which memorization techniques were most effective. 

To share what they have learned, students will create and present a “Tools for Memorizing” guide, which they will share with their second grade prayer partners.

You might be wondering, 

What makes this a “PBL” and why is that important? 

Project-based learning stems from the teaching theory that students learn best by experiencing and solving real-world problems. PBL is characterized by active learning, increased student control over learning, collaboration, authentic assessments, and 21st-century skill development. Students ultimately engage in higher-level thinking and thus deeper learning that engages them in real-world situations, giving them a sense of purpose in learning. Research also shows that “PBL increases long-term retention of content, helps students perform as well as or better than traditional learners in high-stakes tests, improves problem-solving and collaboration skills, and improves students’ attitudes toward learning.” (Project-Based Learning Research Review, 2015)