
Educational and Fun Project-Based Learning
Utilize project-based learning (PBL) to engage youth in meaningful, fun, and academically rigorous experiences.
Full Course Description
Transform your classroom with our Educational and Fun Project-Based Learning (PBL) online course. This 1.5-hour course is designed for educators, CBO staff, and youth workers to create engaging, youth-led learning experiences aligned with academic standards. You’ll learn to design PBL activities that foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and student-centered learning. The course guides you through planning, implementing, and assessing PBL projects that are both educational and fun. Enroll today to inspire your students with meaningful, hands-on learning that meets academic goals.
Course Outcomes
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Understand the core elements of PBL.
- Discover the roles of youth and educators in PBL.
- Prepare to design and implement PBL activities or lessons.
CEU Requirements
To receive CEU credit for taking this course, you must:
- Pass the knowledge check-ins and complete the entire course.
- Complete the course evaluation form at the end of the course.
Upon successful completion, you will receive a certificate showing the CEUs earned.
Change Up Learning requires disclosure of proprietary interests. No staff, instructors, or course developers have proprietary interests related to this course.
This course will take approximately 1.5 hours to complete.
This course satisfies these child care training requirements:
Standards for Quality Afterschool Programs
- 1. Administration and Organization
- 2. Program Management and Staff
- 3. Communication and Interaction
- 4. Program Structure and Activities
- 6. Program Environment
Department of Children and Families (Annual In-Service Training)
- 19. Age-appropriate lesson planning
- 22. Developing special interest centers/spaces and environments
Child Care Core of Knowledge
- 1. Child Development
Out-of-School Time Program Quality Standards
- Administrative Quality Standards
- Program Quality Standards
Program Quality Standards
- I. Youth Program Climate
Administrative Quality Standards
- I. Youth Program Design and Accountability
- III. Health, Safety and Program Space
- IV. Youth Program Staffing and Professional Development
Child Care Training Regulations
- 1. Child Development
- 5. Curriculum development policies and responsibilities
- 6. Supervision of children
- 21. Providing developmentally appropriate activities and experiences for children
Guidelines for Afterschool, Summer, and Youth Development Programs
- 3. Programming and Activities
- 4. Youth Leadership and Engagement
- 6. Cultural Competency, Responsiveness, and Inclusion
- 7. Assessment, Planning, and Program Improvement
- 8. Staff and Professional Development
ECE Competencies
- 1. Child Development and Learning
- 2. Culture, Diversity and Equity
- 8. Learning Environments and Curriculum
Quality Standards for Expanded Learning
- 1. Safe and Supportive Environment
- 2. Active and Engaged Learning
- 3. Skill Building
- 10. Continuous Quality Improvement
Core Knowledge Areas from the Michigan Core Knowledge and Core Competencies for the Early Care and Education Workforce
- 1. Child development and learning
- 5. Teaching and learning
- 7. Interactions and guidance
MOST (Michigan Out-of-School Time) Standards of Quality
- 1. Health, Safety
- 4. Indoor and Outdoor Environments
- 5. Program Activities
Teachers of Early Childhood Education Subject Matter Standards
- 1. Child Development and Learning
- 2. Developmentally appropriate learning experiences
- 4. Assessment, evaluation, and individualization
Ignite Afterschool
- 1. Intentional Program Design
Early Care and Education Professional Competency Goals for Staff
- 1. Child development, including discipline, guidance, nutrition, injury control and safety
Afterschool & Youth Development Standards
- 1. Programming & Youth Development
- 3. Environment & Climate
- 6. Staffing & Professional Development
- 7. Organizational Practices
Core Competencies for Early Childhood Practitioners
- 1. Child growth and development
- 5. Learning environments and curriculum
- 6. Interactions with children
- 7. Program planning, development and evaluation
Afterschool Network Best Practices
- 1. Prepared Staff
- 2. Intentional Programming
- 4. Promotion of Varied Youth Engagement
- 7. Sustained Student Attendance and Access
All Staff Annual Training
- 1. Child growth and development
- 2. Social and Emotional Development
Director Annual Training
- 1. Curriculum
- 3. Special Needs
- 4. Child Guidance
Afterschool Alliance Best Practices
- 1. Prepared Staff
- 2. Intentional Programming
- 3. Alignment with School Day
- 4. Promotion of Varied Youth Engagement
Early Learning Staff Professional Development Areas
- All Staff Annual Training
- Director Annual Training
Department of Social Services, Child Care Services (CCS): Pathway to Professional Development
- 1. Child growth and development
- 10. Cultural diversity
- 11. Learning environments
- 12. Age-appropriate activities and planning
- 15. Inclusion of all children
Workforce Knowledge and Competencies
- 1. Child Growth and Development (CGD)
- 2. Alignment with CDELS
- 2. Learning Environment and Curriculum (LEC)
Standards for Quality Afterschool Programs
- 2. Ongoing Training and Staff Development
- 4. Positive Youth Development
Department of Human Services Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education Child Care Licensing Unit
- 14. Nutrition and physical activities
Competencies for Early Childhood Educators and Administrators
- 1. Child growth and development, and learning or courses that align with the competency domains of child growth and development
- 6. Professional development and leadership
- 7. Program planning and development
- 8. Teaching practices
OST Quality Guidelines
- 3. Human Relationships
- 6. Youth Development and Engagement
Early Childhood Education and Care Department
- 1. Child growth, development, and learning
- 4. Developmentally appropriate content
- 5. Learning environment and curriculum implementation
Out-of-School Time (NMOST) Guiding Principles
- 1. Environmental Safety
- 2. Health, Nutrition and Physical Activity
- 6. Programming
- 8. Staffing and Professional Development
Department of Children, Youth & Families: Child Care Provider Training Requirements
- 1. Child/adolescent growth and development
- 2. Learning environment and curriculum
- 9. Cultural competency and responsiveness
School's Out Washington Quality Improvement Standards
- 3. Participating in activities that encourage self-expression and inspire them to discover their passions
- 4. Engaging in learning opportunities that build academic, life, and career skills
- 5. Having a common language and shared expectations that are aligned with research and best practices for positive youth development and social emotional learning
Standards of Early Learning and Development
- 1. Childhood Development
Afterschool Quality Standards
- 2. Staff and Youth Relationships
- 3. Youth Participation, Learning, and Engagement
- 5. Programming and Alignment with Regular School Day Learning
- 6. Administration and Organizational Development
- 7. Staffing and Professional Development
Department of Early Learning and Care: Training
- 1. Diversity
- 5. Learning Environments and Curriculum
- 7. Personal, Professional & Leadership Development
Early Learning and Development Standards
- 1. Early Childhood Education and Child Development
After School Network
- 3. Environment
- 4. Activities and Programming
- 6. Staffing/Professional Development
- 7. Administration/Organization
Afterschool Program Quality Institute
- 1. Environment
- 3. Programming
- 4. Youth Participation and Engagement
Early Childhood - Continuing Education
- 6. Learning Activities
Afterschool Network Quality Standards
- 1. Environment
- 4. Programming
Early Childhood Professional Learning Categories
- 1. Learning Communities
- 3. Resources
- 5. Learning Designs
- 6. Implementation
Network for Youth Success Quality Self-Assessment (QSA) Tool
- 1. Environment & Climate
- 4. Staffing & Professional Development
- 5. Programming & Activities
- 7. Youth Participation & Engagement to Care
NYC DYCD Core Competencies for Youth Work Professionals
- 1. Knowledge of the principles and practices of child and youth development and ability to use this knowledge to achieve the goals of the program.
- 4. Ability to foster academic and non-academic skills and broaden participant horizons.
- 5. Ability to effectively implement curricula and program activities.
School Age Child Care
- 3. Child Day Care Program Development
After School Program Quality Standards and Indicators
- 1. Health, Safety and the Environment
- 3. Programming and Activities
- 4. Staffing and Professional Development
Early Learning and Development Standards
- 2. Social and Emotional Development
- 4. Literacy
- 5. Cognitive Development
- 6. Mathematics
- 7. Science
- 8. Social Studies
- 9. Creative Arts
Statewide Afterschool Quality Standards
- 1. Indoor and Outdoor Environments
- 4. Professional Development and Qualifications
- 6. Youth Development, Programming, and Activities
B-3 Continuum
- 5. Joint Professional Development
- 6. Aligned Curriculum and Instruction
Building Blocks for Out-of-School Time Quality
- 1. Intentional Program Design
- 2. Supportive Relationships & Environments
- 3. Youth Voice, Leadership, and Engagement
- 5. Community, School and Family Engagement
- 7. Ongoing Staff Support and Volunteer Development
Early Learning eGuidelines Competencies
- 1. Introduction to Inclusive Child Care
- 2. Understanding Child Development in Relation to Disabilities
- 4. Preparing for and Including Young Children in the Child Care Setting
- 5. Community Services for Young Children with Disabilities (including Early Intervention services)
- a. Introduction to Inclusive Child Care
- d. Preparing for and Including Young Children in the Child Care Setting
- e. Community Services for Young Children with Disabilities (including Early Intervention services)
Program Quality Practices
- 1. Physical Environment, Curriculum, and Program Activities
- 2. Assessment, Planning, and Improvement
- 4. Child and Youth Engagement
- 8. Professional Development
Child Growth and Development
- 1. Programming and Curriculum
- 2. Children with special needs
- 4. Program Environment
- 6. Social/emotional development
- 7. Challenging behaviors
Child Growth and Development
- 1. Programming and Curriculum
- 2. Children with special needs
- 4. Program Environment
- 6. Social/emotional development
- 7. Challenging behaviors
Career Development
- 6. Strategic leadership and planning
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services: Child Care Center Professional Development Training Topics
- Career Development
- Child Growth and Development
Quality Guidelines for Ohio's Afterschool Programs
- Child Growth and Development
Goals for Program Management and Delivery
- 1. Safe, Healthy, and Orderly Environment
- 2. Qualified and Diverse Staff
- 3. Opportunities to Learn in Diverse Environments
Goals for Program Connections
- 6. Consistent Participant Attendance
Goals for Program Participants
- 7. Greater Personal Responsibility
- 8. Improved Academics Achievement
- 9. Greater Creativity and Well-Being
Child Care Facilities: Staff Development Topics
- a. Planning a safe, healthy learning environment
- b. Steps to advance children's physical and intellectual development
- c. Positive ways to support children's social and emotional development
- i. Learning activities that promote inclusion of children with special needs
North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs (NCCAP)
- Goals for Program Connections
- Goals for Program Management and Delivery
- Goals for Program Participants
Hawaii OST Quality Guidelines
- 1c. Pilina (Relationships) between program and ʻāina & place
- 1d. Pilina (Relationships) between Program and Families
- 1e. Pilina (Relationships) between Programs and Schools
- 1f. Pilina (Relationships) between Program and Community
- 2b. Staff Professional Development and Leadership
- 3a. Program Administration for Staff
- 3b. Policies and Procedures
Guiding Principles for Quality OST Programs
- 2. Active & Engaged Learning
- 3. Skill Building
- 7. Inclusion & Access
- 9. Quality Staff
Early Care and Education Knowledge Base
- 4. Teaching and engagement
- 5. Curriculum and learning environment
Core Knowledge and Competencies for Early Childhood Professionals
- 2. Child and youth development
West Virginia Afterschool Program Quality Standards
- 2. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- 5. Indoor and Outdoor Environments
- 8. Activities
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Training
- 2. Child growth and development
- 4. Planning learning activities
Early Childhood Educator Requirements: Birth to Second Grade
- 2. Developmental curriculum planning/ environment and curriculum
Afterschool & Out-of-School Time Professional Network
- 2. Healthy Behaviors: Nutrition and Physical Activity
- 4. Indoor and Outdoor Environment
- 5. Programming and Activities
Department of Children & Families: Staff Training Requirements for Childcare Centers
- i. Child growth and development
- ii. Positive guidance and discipline
- v. Program planning and development
- vi. Creating a classroom environment
Afterschool Standards
- 2. Indoor and Outdoor Environments
- 3. Programming and Activities
Core Knowledge and Competencies
- 4. Learning Environment and Curriculum
Afterschool Network Quality Standards
- 2. Offer a blend of academic and developmental skill-building activities
- 4. Promote high levels of student engagement
- 5. Provide appropriate levels of structure as well as opportunities for autonomy and choice
Early Childhood: Child Care Center Training Topics
- 7. Principles of child growth and development, including brain development
Department of Early Education & Care Standards
- 2. Planning Programs and Environments for Young Children
- 4. Child and Classroom Management
- 10. Supervision or Staff Development in Early Childhood Education
Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) Statement of Quality in Afterschool
- 2. Positive Connections
- 4. Activities
Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators (PA PSCECE)
- Standard 1: Child Development and Learning in Context
- Standard 4: Developmentally, Culturally, and Linguistically Appropriate Teaching Practices
- Standard 5: Knowledge, Application, and Integration of Academic Content in the Early Childhood Curriculum
Afterschool Program Quality Guidelines
- 2. Programming
Virginia Partnership for Out-of-School Time Quality Standards
- 2. Staffing, Volunteers & Professional Development
- 5. Active & Engaged Learning
- 8. Environment (Indoor & Outdoor Spaces)
Child Care VA Standards
- 10. Inclusion of All Children
- 13. Foundations of Child Development and Approaches to Learning
Afterschool Alliance's Quality Standards
- 2. Steps to advance children’s physical and intellectual development
- 3. Positive ways to support children’s social and emotional development
- 8. Principles of child growth and development
Child Care Centers Professional Growth and Development Training Requirements
- 2. Steps to advance children’s physical and intellectual development
- 3. Positive ways to support children’s social and emotional development (includes guidance and discipline)
- 8. Principles of child growth and development
Childcare Program: Continuing Education
- 3. Caring for children with exceptionalities
- 6. Indoor and outdoor learning environments
- 7. Behavior guidance
Core Competencies for Early Childhood Professionals
- 3. Learning Environments
- 5. Cognitive Learning
- 7. Creative Learning
- 9. Social Development
- 10. Guidance
Texas Partnership for Out-of-School Time (TXPOST) Standards of High Quality
- 3. Programming and Activities
- 7. School Linkages
Early Childhood Education: Professional Development Areas
- Annual Training (1) Child growth and development
- Annual Training (3) Age-appropriate curriculum
- In-Service 3. Understanding early childhood brain development.
- Pre-Service 2. Age-appropriate activities for children
- Pre-Service 4. Fostering children’s self-esteem
- Pre-Service 6. Positive interaction with children
Quality Standards for OST Programs
- 3: Youth-Centered Program Design
- 4: Leadership and Management
Core Knowledge Areas, DC Division of Early Learning Training Categories
- 4. Curriculum
- 6. Learning Environments
Early Care & Education Professional Development Content Areas
- 4. Developmentally, Culturally, and Linguistically Appropriate Teaching Practices
- 5. Knowledge, Application, and Integration of Academics Content in the Early Childhood Curriculum
- 6. Professionalism as an Early Childhood Educator
Afterschool Network
- 5. Curriculum and activities
- 6. Learning environment
- 7. Program planning and evaluation
Child Care Training & Education
- Standard 1: Learning Environment/Developmentally Appropriate Practice
Department of Education: Standards for Professional Development
- a. Child development and learning
- f. Strategies for working with children with disabilities
- g. Classroom management, which must include, without limitation, positive discipline and guidance and social, emotional, and academic development
- i. Play theory and creativity
Quality Standards for Nevada OST Programs
- a. Youth Development & Social Emotional Learning
- c. Program Management & Professional Development
- d. Program Structure, Curriculum & Activities
Department of Education and Early Development (DEED)
- Biennial and Quadrennial Requirements: 3. Equity Training for Educators
Quality Standards for Out-of-School Time Programs
- C. Intentional Programming and Activities
Division of Early Care and Education: Staff Development
- i. Child growth and development
- j. Caring for children with disabilities
- k. Guiding children’s behavior
- r. Business operations
Early Childhood Professional Development Framework
- Standard I: Designs/Plans Instruction
- Standard II: Creates/Maintains Environments
- Standard V: Reflects/Evaluates Teaching/Learning
- Standard VII: Engages in Professional Development
Course Content
Module 1: Course Overview

Required for Completion
- 24 Lessons
- 6 Topics
- 2 Check-ins
