
A PROJECT-BASED LEARNING FRAMEWORK FOR IOWA HIGH SCHOOLS
PHASE TWO: PLAN
The PLAN phase is where students begin to develop their new understanding of the complexity of their watershed. Students analyze possible solutions and find ways to make a positive impact on their local watershed and ecosystem.

PLAN: RESOURCES
Project Charter Toolkit
This free, online web tool defines a "Project Charter" and offers step-by-step instructions on what to include and how to compose a project charter. Students can also download and study free model charters. Click here
Template: Project Plan
This tool was developed for use in a long-term project by students. They had time to work on it as a group at the start of the project and updated it as the project went along. The teacher had a discussion with each group at the start of the project and updated it as the project went along. The teacher had a discussion with each group about their plan and suggestions for changes. This was also referred to during each checkpoint meeting. Click here
Exemplar: Project Plan (Plan, Timeline, and Contract)
A student developed project plan. Click here
Exemplar: Project Plan 2 (Plan and Contract)
Another example of a student developed project plan. Click here
Exemplar: Group Contract
The Group Contract is the last page in the Project Plan. This is an example that could be shown to students so that they can see the type of language that makes the contract useful. Click here
Model: Project Advisor Signup Form
This tool was developed so students could get community members to sign up to serve as an advisor on a project where students were designing pollinator gardens and needed feedback to improve their designs. Click here
Model: Project Client Sign-Up Form
This tool was developed so students would have an easy way to get community members to sign up to serve as clients on a project where students were designing pollinator gardens and planting them on the client's property. Click here
Model: Telephone Email Template
This tool was developed so students would have guidelines and a template for conducting phone calls and sending professional emails. Click here
Template: Project Timeline
Students enter their project goals and milestones as they go. This is a planning document, not a record of what has happened. Click here
Template: Carpooling Permission Form
If a school district allows students to carpool to field trips, this form is important to make sure parents are aware of the opportunities and risks and have a chance to give permission for their students to drive and/or ride with other students away from school. The form should be modified to explain why students might be leaving school. Click here