By Noah Moster

Every college student is familiar with certain universal fears: cramming for a final exam at 3 a.m., running out of sick days right when you actually need them, and, of course, the dreaded 2+ hour lecture. Long lectures can feel outdated, and very few can confess to enjoying a lengthy lecture more than a hearty snooze, especially when modern tools allow us to turn ideas into reality. Fortunately, a recent term has been seeing more and more proclivity in the educational field, that of Project-Based Learning, or PBL. Project-based learning (PBL) offers a more engaging and hands-on approach, helping students truly absorb complex concepts by applying them in real-world scenarios. To better assist students in exploring this type of learning (or more than the insides of their eyelids), we’ve compiled together three PBL websites that bring control into the hands of the learner and allow critical thinking in a more nuanced light.
1. Instructables
A fundamental aspect of PBL is applying real-world solutions to real-world problems. This application doesn’t have to be big-picture stuff like solving global warming or anything huge! In fact, the Instructables website has many different DIY projects that cover just about any scenario, whether crafting your own RGB light for videography or finding a cool new dessert recipe to share with friends! For any enterprising I-can-make-this-at-home-for-half-the-cost types, this is the utopia for you! Just be aware that a lot of these may require a 3D printer, so make sure to track your ingredients if you don’t have ready access to one.
Link to website: https://www.instructables.com/projects
2. Hackster.io
There are people in the world who can compute and code endless streams of software, transforming the 1s and 0s of our numeric language into space travel and solar energy conversion.
And then, some people blow up hot dogs in the microwave because they accidentally set the timer for 20 minutes instead of two.
Hackster.io is an incredible resource for those interested in the intersection of software and hardware. An outsider can see that much care and dedication have been harnessed to create these complicated designs. While it may not be something that everyone will enjoy or understand, it definitely is something someone will enjoy and understand. So if you’re the kind of person who feels at home designing human-following robots or “Getting Started with the SDR Zmod on Eclypse Z7 + GNU Radio”, a language that seems to elude any Google Translate ciphering attempt, Hackster’s got you covered!
Link to website: https://www.hackster.io/projects
3. Makezine
For the last entry here, we’ve got a website similar in scope of Instructables: Makezine. Makezine is a maker-focused community that shares creative DIY projects emphasizing sustainability and improving lives. However, whereas Instructables had more individual-focused projects, these feature a fair amount of general-use projects that one could use to better others’ lives. Examples include a DIY Mobility Walker, crafting your own Corsi Box Air Purifier, and even a mobile handwash station! There’s certainly something for everyone here.
Link to website: https://makezine.com/projects
One of the coolest things someone can understand from these websites is the fact that there is truly a passion project for everyone out there. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’re looking for, you’ll find something up your alley.
As different as we may all be, however, humanity shares this fundamental need to explore, to learn and grow. This skillset allows us to venture past the boundaries that have halted all other known species. And the best part is, from the world’s point of view, we’re barely in our first year of progress. These enormous leaps and advancements in technology are the baby steps of mankind.
So even if it’s just a simple thing, like learning how to cook rice or play racquetball, keep learning. As long as we all do that, we’ll be that much closer to taking our next step in the library of knowledge.
Do you want more resources on the topic of Project-Based Learning? NSTEM’s vast resources database provides thousands of STEM resources that are searchable by category, school level and state. This comprehensive library includes info on enrichment activities, curricula, internships, scholarships and more. Or get an NSTEM membership today to unlock the complete list.
When a college/university student achieves membership in the National STEM Honor Society, the recognition, like many colleges, is in a Greek letter format. For the National STEM Honor Society, Epsilon Theta Mu is the designated recognition for members at the college/university level. Students are distinguished and stand out as a result of this recognition, increasing appealing employment and educational opportunities, click here.