This project accomplishes objectives related to both the Mt. Lebanon School District’s strategic plan and the Pennsylvania State Standards in history and science. In the District’s 2012-2018 strategic plan, goal #2 identifies student mastery of specific 21st century competencies as a point of emphasis.  This project would support that goal in several specific areas including:

• Stimulating intellectual work
  • Students apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills, communication, and creativity in all subject areas.
  • Students become capable of taking what was learned in one situation and applying it to new situations (learning for transfer).
• Project/problem-based learning
  • Students are engaged in higher order cognitive learning through the study of concepts and principles of a discipline.
• “Always On” Learning
  • Mt. Lebanon utilizes state-of-the-art technology that creates collaborative, engaging, relevant, and personalized learning experiences for all learners regardless of background, language, or disability and extends the access of this technology to parents and community members.
• Teamwork and Engagement
  • Students become more sophisticated information producers, as well as information consumers; learning activities become more self-directed; and opportunities for collaboration are expanded.

PA standards for history that are met in this project include the following:

• 8.1.8.C. Produce an organized product on an assigned historical topic that presents and reflects on a thesis statement and appropriate primary and secondary sources.

CCSS: Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, & Technical Subjects 6-12

CCSS: Grades 6-8, Writing

• WHST.6-8.6. Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas clearly and efficiently.
• WHST.6-8.7.Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.