2025 AIMS Conference

This workshop will begin with an introduction to the history of project-based learning (PBL) and its natural connections to Montessori. Participants will dive deep into their current knowledge of Montessori’s Cosmic Curriculum and explore a comparison of the two, discovering how the two concepts naturally overlap. They will see video montage footage of PBL/Cosmic Ed projects by students in elementary and secondary Montessori schools, witnessing the process, outcomes, and student testimonies. They will collaborate in small groups to design and complete mini projects. The mini projects will be presented to the workshop so participants will experience the social, emotional, and academic challenges students experience during their deep-dive projects. The many connections between PBL and Cosmic Education will be explored. Participants will walk away with specific tools to integrate both self-guided and group-centered projects. With the tools provided, they will see that an organic student-guided curriculum is not only possible, but can actually enhance student outcomes. Participants will leave with the conviction that an authentic Montessori classroom is a work based, hands-on, applied learning community rich with opportunities for all students, aiding in our goal to promote more equitable, diverse, and inclusive environments.