Let Curiosity Lead: How Project-Based Learning Transforms Education

What if school didn’t revolve around tests and textbooks—but around big questions, creative thinking, and hands-on discovery?

That’s the promise of Project-Based Learning (PBL): a dynamic, student-centered approach where students learn by doing. They explore real-world topics, ask meaningful questions, design experiments, solve problems, and share their discoveries in creative ways. In a project-based classroom, curiosity isn’t a bonus—it’s the engine.

At United Friends School in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, PBL isn’t just a buzzword—it’s part of everyday learning from Early Childhood through Middle School. Through engaging, integrated projects, students connect deeply with what they’re learning while building essential skills like critical thinking, collaboration, and reflection.

What Does Project-Based Learning Look Like in Real Life?

At UFS, students of all ages participate in projects that blend subjects and mirror real-world learning. In recent months, those projects have ranged from human biology to worm habitats to full-scale plant studies—each one tailored to the developmental stage of the learners.

Earlier this year, preschoolers explored the human body by learning about skin, hair, and nails. Meanwhile, older students built detailed 3D models of body systems, helping them understand how different parts of the body work together. These projects turned abstract science into something tangible and deeply relatable.

In March, preschoolers embarked on a worm study—observing live worms, experimenting with different environments, and even creating stories about their tiny subjects. This playful yet rigorous investigation blended science with language arts, and nurtured both observation skills and empathy for living creatures.

Right now, all age groups are engaged in a plant study, learning about seed structures, germination, life cycles, and photosynthesis. Students are planting seeds, tracking growth, and drawing connections between what happens in the garden and what they learn in the classroom.

Where the Outdoors Becomes a Classroom

At United Friends School, learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. The outdoors is a vital part of the curriculum—a living laboratory where students engage with nature to reinforce and expand what they’re learning.

During the plant study, for example, students plant seeds in raised beds, observe sprouting patterns, and compare growth across different environments. These real-world observations bring science to life in a way that no textbook can match.

The school’s year-long Creek Study is another powerful example. Every two weeks, students visit a nearby creek called Licking Run Creek to observe seasonal changes, test water quality, identify wildlife, and study ecological interdependence. These experiences often tie back into classroom topics like biology, life cycles, and environmental science—helping students build a holistic understanding of the world around them.

From Local to Global: Expanding Students’ Worldview

Project-Based Learning at UFS doesn’t just encourage academic growth—it also fosters global awareness, independence, and empathy. Later this spring, middle school students will travel to Costa Rica for a capstone experience that blends ecology, cultural learning, and adventure. They’ll explore rainforests, engage in conservation work, and study biodiversity in a new environment—building on everything they’ve learned through both classroom and outdoor projects.

The Impact: Confident, Capable Learners

Through experiences like these, students at UFS don’t just gain knowledge—they gain confidence, purpose, and a love of learning. They become skilled problem-solvers, thoughtful collaborators, and independent thinkers who are comfortable with complexity and eager to make a difference.

By the time they leave UFS, students are academically prepared and deeply self-aware, with the ability to communicate clearly, lead with empathy, and approach challenges with curiosity instead of fear.

Why It Matters

At its core, Project-Based Learning nurtures the whole child. It supports independence, inquiry, and reflection—key elements of lifelong learning. These values align closely with our school’s Quaker principles, which emphasize inner reflection, meaningful work, community, and stewardship.

When students engage in project-based learning, they don’t just absorb information—they develop the tools and confidence to ask questions, seek answers, and make a difference.

Come See It in Action

Curious about how Project-Based Learning and outdoor education come together at United Friends School? We invite you to join us for an upcoming information session and tour. You’ll see students in action, explore our outdoor learning spaces, and discover how we help children build meaningful connections with their learning—and with the world around them.

Schedule A Tour Here