Project based learning (PBL) initiatives are some of the ways faculty are approaching hands-on learning with students. A PBL assignment engages students in solving a real-world problem or answering a complex question. Students then demonstrate their knowledge and skills by developing a public product or presentation for a real audience.

By Vicki Spitalnick, Innovation Specialist

At Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton, Florida, Middle School is comprised of students in grades six, seven, and eight. Transitioning to Middle School from fifth grade is a significant step for students.

By Kelly Paredes, M.Ed., CIT
Computer Science and Educational Technology Specialist

Long-time Pine Crest School Dance Director, Brenda Gooden, retired in June 2017 after teaching at Pine Crest for 36 years.

By Sophia Lieuw-Kie-Song ’22

Researchers have found that students who prepare for exams in advance, study efficiently, and make healthy choices perform better on exams. Here are some important tips to consider:

At Pine Crest School innovation is part of the curriculum from day one. Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten students visit the Zimmerman Family iLab, or the Mintz Family iLab each month, and have computer science class twice a week.

Students are exposed to basic algorithmic thinking and logical reasoning through elementary coding classes. Students use applications on iPads, like Dash and Dot, Ozobot, Bee-Bot, and Codeable to learn to sequence and debug code. Students see their code come to life in the small robots that complement the applications they use.  

Digital portfolios are also part of their computer science and technology curriculum. Students upload samples of their assignments, or “artifacts,” to reflect on what they have learned. These portfolios will follow them throughout their academic careers at Pine Crest.

During their time in the iLabs, students are exposed to organic gardening and engineering challenges. They are exposed to the design thinking process showing students how to research, ideate, experiment, and reflect as to problem-solve and think creatively.  

Students are given design challenges exposing them to the engineering process and teaching them to manipulate materials and construction techniques appropriate for their age level. Additionally, students use Squishy Circuits to learn the basics of electricity and circuitry.

This innovative curriculum is designed for students to take risks and fail forward.

Building fun, customizable, affordable bicycles has been a way for Avery Pack, founder of Republic Bike and Pine Crest Class of 1996 alumnus, to encourage people to get moving.

All year long, faculty, administrators, and staff are able to take advantage of stimulating professional development activities — sometimes right on campus.

Pine Crest School alumnus Daniel Fine ‘13 is laser-focused on revolutionizing athletic performance.  It was during a summer internship experience while he was studying at the University of Tampa that Daniel came up with an idea.

Design thinking is a methodology for creative, complex problem solving. A design thinker questions and explores possibilities with a clear goal in mind: creating a solution, service, or product that benefits the end user. This technique is often described as human-centered because it is rooted in empathy and aimed at understanding a person or group of people.

When you think of a pre-kindergarten curriculum, subjects that may come to mind are reading, writing, and math. However, in 2015 as part of the 2014-19 Strategic Plan, Pine Crest School launched a new computer science program that started with our pre-kindergarteners on both our Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale campuses.

Before setting up classrooms and welcoming students for the first day of school in August, Pine Crest School faculty participated in the Teachers Teaching Teachers professional development day. Now in its ninth year, teachers participate in a variety of peer-led learning sessions where they connected with colleagues, exchanged expertise, and engaged in dialogue about best practices.

Pine Crest alumnus and Houston Rockets point guard Brandon Knight ’10 recently gifted Pine Crest School with the modernization of the performance training facility in Lane Hall on the Fort Lauderdale campus.

Brandon Knight ’10 with Dr. Dana Markham ’18H, Pine Crest School President

Drawing upon inspiration by one of our School's beloved nurses, a Pine Crest second grade student imagined and designed a prototype to assist stroke patients suffering from upper extremity weakness. The end result: a system to help patients tie their long hair into a ponytail. The student was guided along the way by Pine Crest teachers and innovation specialists, using the tools available in the Zimmerman Family iLab.

An average day in the iLab consists of the Design Thinking Process, CAD Design, laser cutting, 3D printing, cardboard creations, and a lot of tacky glue!

Student-driven project-based learning in core curriculum class lessons sparks creativity, innovation, and collaboration in The Pine Crest Lab Classroom.