A Project-Based Learning Assignment Inspired by Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: Design a Better School
As a high school Psychology teacher, you may be looking for a culminating project to wrap up a unit on motivation. This project is designed to help students apply what they've learned about Maslow's Hierarchy to the real world, specifically to education. This project can be completed in three steps.
Step I: Begin by having students review Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and discuss how each level relates to education. Then, have students choose a high school to study as a case study or use a film such as "Stand and Deliver," "Lean on Me," or "The Bad Kids" to examine how the school meets the needs of its students at each level. Have students complete a graphic organizer that lists each level of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and how their chosen school meets the needs at each level.
Step II: Now it's time for students to apply what they've learned by designing a high school that meets the needs of students at all five tiers of Maslow's Hierarchy. Using graph paper or a website such as https://floorplanner.com/, students will design a school/campus that incorporates the supports the components listed in step one of the exercise. Encourage creativity and innovation, and remind students that they should keep Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in mind as they design their school.
Step III: Finally, students will write an essay that reflects on their project and how Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs applies to education. Students should reflect on how their design incorporates each level of the hierarchy and how it could impact the well-being and success of students. Encourage students to think critically about the current education system and how it could be improved to better meet the needs of students at each level of Maslow's Hierarchy.
This project will allow students to apply what they've learned about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to the real world, specifically to education. Interested in this project-based learning resource? You can find it here!
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