Utilizing Project Based Learning and “20 Percent Time” in Schools

Ben Thomas
Sep 26, 2019
Learn more
20 Percent Time Hawaii Josh Reppun Melissa Speetjens Project Based Learning What School Could Be

Melissa Speetjens, the Principal at Waimea Canyon Middle School on the island of Kauai (the westernmost middle school in the United States), is a mentor in the Hawaiʻi Innovative Leaders Network, a graduate of the Stanford School Retool program and a recipient of one of the 2018/2019 Hawaiʻi Department of Education’s innovation grants. Melissa and her faculty have implemented a dynamic program called “20 Percent Time”.

What is 20 Percent Time?

“20 Percent Time” is a program where 6th, 7th and 8th graders spend 20% of every school day working on complicated and complex global issues. Students self-select into themes such as peace and justice or even ocean sustainability. They immerse themselves, with their teacher guides and coaches, into project based learning and they put the needs of family and community front and center. This program allows students to think creatively and practically to work towards solutions for problems outside the classroom. How have the students been engaged in the program, and has it been effective so far? Tune in to find out!

To hear Melissa’s thoughts about “20 Percent Time” and more listen to the podcast above!

 

Click here to subscribe to the “What School Could Be in Hawaiʻi” podcast with Josh Reppun!

Have an innovative guest in mind? Send information to MLTSinHawaii@gmail.com, or go to MLTSinHawaii.com

—

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Education Technology Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow MarketScale on social media for the latest updates in B2B!
Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
Ed Tech LinkedIn Market Leaders – https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12273301/

 

 

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

influencer partnerships
Moving Beyond Social Media Buzz: How Authentic Content & Long-Term Influencer Partnerships Can Drive Hotel ROI
July 30, 2025

Influencer marketing is rapidly changing, and many hotels are still figuring out how to tap into its full potential. As travelers demand more authentic and relatable content, the pressure is on for hotels to adapt their marketing strategies. But with skepticism around the true ROI of influencer partnerships, it’s more important than ever for brands…

Read More
workforce
Building a Future-Ready Workforce: With Traditional Training Models Failing, It’s Time for Employers and Educators to Build Solutions Together
July 30, 2025

In an era where the average job tenure in the U.S. hovers under four years and industries are evolving faster than academic curricula can keep up, the need for a new approach to workforce development has never been more urgent. Companies like Amazon and McDonald’s are responding by investing in “education as a benefit”…

Read More
belief
Learning Out Loud with Belief, Courage, and the Power of Yes
July 30, 2025

In a world where workplace disengagement is on the rise, with global employee engagement falling to just 21% in 2024, leaders and teams are increasingly seeking meaning, connection, and growth in their work. Amid this shift, professionals are asking deeper questions about purpose and fulfillment, both individually and collectively. That’s exactly where Paul Plamondon’s…

Read More
professional advancement
The Measured Mindset: How Mentorship, Curiosity, and Listening Drive Professional Advancement and Growth
July 29, 2025

Not every path into analytics starts with code and spreadsheets. For some, it begins with curiosity, adaptability, mentorship, and a willingness to learn something entirely new. That’s the case for Mayank Malviya, whose journey from a humanities education in India to a career in U.S.-based market research reveals how initiative and mentorship can accelerate…

Read More
Related
workforce
Software & Technology
Building a Future-Ready Workforce: With Traditional Training Models Failing, It’s Time for Employers and Educators to Build Solutions Together
July 30, 2025
future-ready workforce
Healthcare
Building a Future-Ready Workforce: Disrupting Outdated Education with Employer-Driven, Community-Powered, Practical Skills Training
July 28, 2025

Workforce training is undergoing a radical transformation as industries face critical talent shortages and rapid technological change. Building a future-ready workforce requires rethinking traditional higher education models. These models emphasize broad academic development over targeted skill-building and struggle to keep pace with employer demands. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report…

Read More
educators
Healthcare
JUST THINKING… About Bringing out the Best in Educators and Learners with Ross Kimball
July 25, 2025

As the educational landscape rapidly evolves—shaped by advances in communication technology, growing mental health awareness, and post-pandemic classroom dynamics—one key question persists: How can we better connect with and empower both educators and students in the classroom? The stakes are high: studies show that teacher-student relationships directly impact student motivation, academic success, and long-term…

Read More