PBL Newsletter

Mary Patton, AP Human Geography, Grades 10-12

The AP Human Geography curriculum zigs and zags through map projections, demographics, culture, politics, agriculture, urban environments and industry. After the stress of the AP exam, students dove into a project where they used their built-knowledge to conduct empathy interviews with teachers at the PBL Festival in order to plan their dream vacation. Well, dream expedition, as students are not planning 7 days at a beach resort! They want people who are ready to explore and ready for a grand adventure.

After the interviews, students researched locations based on the taste and travel preferences of their subjects and helped design a trip (stored in a StoryMap, a dynamic website design tool through ArcGIS) that would suit their subject, recommending lodging, activities, restaurants, transportation options and can't-miss cultural touchstones. Teachers raved about their custom trips and we're hoping to see some pics upon their return to keep the learning cycle going .

A selection of student-made StoryMaps is available here, click on the button at any location and see what they have planned!

Our world in 2025 seems so distant from the characters from the literary canon, and it can be difficult to help students identify and empathize with characters who live very different lives. But those characters are struggling with the same emotions, tensions and challenges we face today. By centering the reading around a central, driving question, such as what does it mean to be happy or what does it mean to be in a healthy relationship, the 9th grade English students learned to empathize and relate to classic characters from Of Mice and Men and Romeo and Juliet.

In this PBL unit, students worked in groups to trace a character's progress through the lens of their driving question. While reading Of Mice and Men, students traced the happiness levels of an assigned character and connected him or her to aligned lessons on the science of happiness. In Romeo and Juliet they were assigned a pair of characters and examined how healthy (or unhealthy) their relationship is. They used current scientific research on topics such as happiness and healthy relationships to further their understanding and found textual evidence to support their theories. They then wrote and recorded a podcast that features the literary character, a podcast host, and a research expert. In the end, students were able to better understand literature and themselves.

Listen to the podcast and see if you agree with the students' findings.

Ms. Bailey Herrera’s Happy as a Mouse: a podcast on happiness in Of Mice and Men

Ms. Black’s Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow: a podcast on healthy relationships in Romeo and Juliet

Ms. Lindstrom’s Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow: a podcast on healthy relationships in Romeo and Juliet

Ms. Perna’s Happy as a Mouse: a podcast on happiness in Of Mice and Men

This spring, the entire Waltham Public Library was transformed for our District-Wide Art Show—but it was the top floor where high school students took the spotlight. Our high school students presented powerful, thoughtful works born from a deep Project-Based Learning (PBL) process.

Each piece reflected more than artistic talent—it represented inquiry, collaboration, revision, and a desire to communicate something meaningful. From handwoven installations around the library’s tree to a collaborative mural cascading from the ceiling, the show was filled with student voice and purpose.

Notebooks were placed beside the art inviting visitors to respond, turning the exhibit into a two-way dialogue. The community’s reflections and encouragement became part of the show itself, strengthening the connection between artist and audience.

Opening night buzzed with energy, pride, and real engagement. Art and PBL brought our students and community together—and we can’t wait to do it again next year.

Save the Date: The 2026 Art Show returns April 2!

See photos from the show.

Veronica Campanini, World Languages

In this AP Italian class, students explored the theme of Global Challenges by researching climate change in Italian. Through group work, they analyzed articles and videos, built collaborative vocabulary lists, and practiced advanced grammar to write and record original podcasts. Students developed real-world language skills in Italian. The feedback was peer-reviewed and audience-driven. Final podcasts were shared with international partner students in Arezzo, Italy. This multi-faceted project hit gold standards such as sustained inquiry, student voice & choice, reflection, public product and authenticity.

Sydney Lindstrom, ELA 9

While reading Octavia Butler’s Kindred, Ms. Lindstrom’s students explored their family ancestry or a historical time period of interest. Students had to research a specific historical event that was central to their family’s story or their ancestors’ geographical location. They then used the 5 elements of narrative storytelling to craft an engaging and exciting adventure in graphic novel form.

Just as Dana, from the novel, travels back in time to a Southern Plantation to meet her ancestors and discover her complicated family history, the 9th graders also grapple with historical perspectives and difficult decisions. From the difficult working conditions of the Industrial Revolution to finding their voice to speak out against the Nazi regime, students explored what it takes to stand up for what is right and the cost and benefits that come with it.

Check out the amazing graphic novels here.

The final unit of study in a level 3, World Language French class is focused on Art, specifically highlighting Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. These artists challenged what was considered to be beautiful during their time and have become some of the most well-loved artists. Their works can, of course, be found in Paris ( in the Musée d’Orsay and the Orangerie, specifically), but can also be seen at MOMA in New York City and the Museum of Fine Arts here in Boston.

The unit starts with students learning the difference between the art of the Académie and the Impressionists. Then, they study 7 individual artists to see how they impacted the movement and how they contributed to art history. Students do mini oral presentations for each half of the unit to demonstrate their understanding.

Thanks to the PBL supply closet this year, students were able to immerse themselves on the last day of classes and become artists themselves. By using just a few simple colors (just like the Impressionists did!), students of French 3 spent the period making their own interpretation of Claude Monet’s Nymphéas VIII (see below). Everyone was focused on the task, which unintentionally became an SEL activity as well! As one student said, “That was my favorite unit we’ve ever done” and another commented, “It was a fun way to destress before finals!”

If you are a teacher at WHS, you likely know the Auto Tech Shop, whether it is helping with a flat tire, diagnosing the check engine light that started flashing on the way to school, or getting the very much overdue oil change. The Auto Tech shop is always bustling, and students are learning by doing —the key to any PBL practice.

This school year, the Auto Tech shop has serviced over 375 vehicles belonging to the Waltham community, WHS staff, and students. With that work, they also installed/replaced over $65,000 of parts, tires, fluids, and other materials. The most common jobs students work on are oil and filter changes and brake services.

This year the automotive program had nearly 300 Freshmen explore the program in semester one and 24 freshmen committed to the program in semester two.

In exciting news, WHS graduate, Amit Hiregoudar won Tomorrow's Technician Magazines's Continental Tire Student of the Month. Read to find out more about his inspiration, day-to-day work, challenges, successes, and leadership roles.

The PBL Lead Teacher Team: Vanessa Cosco (CTE), Stephanie Gallagher (History), Vanessa Gamble (World Language), Brianna Osborne (FAPA), Emilie Perna (ELA), Kevin Skowronski (Science), Deb Smith (Multilingual), and Reba Tierney (Library)