Bluff Lake Nature Center Named “STEM Launch PBL Partner of the Year”
Press Contact:
Leila Regan-Porter
For Immediate Release
Bluff Lake Nature Center Named “STEM Launch PBL Partner of the Year” for Problem-Based Learning Program
Bluff Lake Nature Center has been named the “STEM Launch PBL Partner of the Year” for the 2021-22 school year, joining organizations like The Denver Zoo, Westminster Water, and Olsson Engineering in being recognized for the innovative teaching methods offered to schools including STEM Launch.
Bluff Lake’s Problem-Based Learning (PBL) program is a shining example of an educational philosophy founded on inquiry-based learning, which places the student in the position of discovery with the educator as the guide, as opposed to traditional learning with the teacher as the expert.
“Adams 12 STEM Schools use a Problem Based Learning Model (PBL) to teach our students standards through real life problems,” says Felicia Evans, STEM Coordinator and Student Achievement Coach at STEM Launch. “The receipts of this award have gone above and beyond partnering with one or more of our STEM schools. It is through our community partnerships that we are able to offer these unique learning opportunities to our students. During the 21-22 school year Bluff Lake, partnered with STEM Launch to create real-world learning for our students.”
PBLs offer K-12 classes opportunities to learn about “problems” at Bluff Lake and give them the chance to find solutions through a series of related experiences and critical-thinking exercises. PBL units have experts, panelists, and host locations/sites. Bluff Lake provides assistance in all three categories, particularly as we have a 123-acre outdoor classroom.
“Using real-world examples in a space that is small-scale and relatable, Bluff Lake Nature Center’s PBLs have become some of our most popular and successful programming, as we engage with students several times, increasing the depth of student engagement,” says Heidi Pfeiffer, Bluff Lake Nature Center’s Director of Education & Summer Camp. “Bluff Lake has been successful in engaging students’ creative thinking and problem-solving to come up with solutions to real-world environmental problems, and we have even been able to implement some of the solutions that the students created.”
About Bluff Lake:
Bluff Lake Nature Center (BLNC) is a unique urban natural area in Denver, CO dedicated to educating and inspiring people of all ages to respect, protect, and connect with our natural world.
Bluff Lake is owned by a nonprofit agency of the same name, and manages the property as a wildlife refuge and outdoor classroom. The refuge is home to many hundreds of species of native animals and plants which thrive in a variety of habitats. Bluff Lake is Denver’s largest open space managed as native habitat, and Denver’s only nonprofit nature center. We rely solely on community support.
Tens of thousands of visitors, including over 8,000 area school children, come to Bluff Lake each year to enjoy a few moments of solace and connection to nature or to take part in one of our scheduled programs or events.
Visit us at 11255 E. MLK Jr Blvd, Denver, CO 80238 - we are open 365 days a year, sunrise to sunset.
