
At
King
Elementary
School,
a
project-based
learning
initiative
to
raise
awareness
about
hunger
unleashed
contagious,
creative
energy.
Fifth
grade
students
learned
how
they
can
make
a
difference
in
the
community.
In
a
language
arts
lesson
about
problem
and
solution
patterns,
Laverne
McDowell,
a
fifth-grade
teacher,
presented
information
to
her
students
about
what
food
insecurity
is
and
the
impact
it
has
on
families.
This
piqued
student
interest
and
inspired
them
to
dig
deeper.
"Students
worked
on
the
project
over
an
extended
period.
They
spent
weeks
analyzing
hunger
data
in
Prince
William
County
and
Virginia.
They
met
and
collaborated
on
how
to
get
involved
and
how
to
get
the
message
out
to
our
school
community,
shared
McDowell."
Using
the
information
from
their
research,
students
demonstrated
their
knowledge
by
creating
message
boards,
badges,
banners,
posters,
and
writing
newsletters
to
raise
awareness
about
the
issue.
Some
of
the
message
boards
are
displayed
on
a
table
in
the
lobby
of
the
school.
A
"hunger
jar"
sits
on
the
table
where
students
and
staff
can
donate
money
that
will
be
sent
to
local
food
banks.
"I
truly
believe
in
project-based
learning
because
it
allows
students
to
investigate
and
respond
to
an
authentic,
engaging,
and
complex
problem
that
the
world
is
facing.
We
need
young
people
who
are
willing
and
able
to
tackle
the
challenges
of
their
lives
and
the
world.
Students
can
solve
problems
that
are
important
to
them
and
their
communities,"
McDowell
said.
The
project-based
learning
initiative
made
a
lasting
impression
on
students.
While
reflecting
on
their
efforts,
Adriana
said,
"I
learned
that
not
all
people
get
three
meals
a
day.
And
that
we
need
to
pay
more
attention
to
situations
like
these.
Also,
if
you
can
help
one
person,
it
would
make
a
big
difference."
Mia
shared,
"It
was
an
honor
to
do
this
project.
I
learned
that
we
can
all
do
something
to
help
each
other.
I
can
get
families
together
and
we
can
plan
food
drives."
Diana
added,
"I
learned
so
much
from
this
project.
There
is
no
other
word
to
describe
this
project,
but
amazing.
I
will
remember
everything
that
we
did,
and
I
will
inform
more
people
about
food
insecurity
in
our
communities."