Project Based Learning in Social Studies Education
A hands-on approach to social studies is a vital component of our educational program. Through simulations, service projects, historical studies, and the arts, students discover that social studies is not just a list of names, dates, and places on a map. It is the collective story of our past, present, and future—it is their story. As students delve into historical issues, they connect with people, places, and events on a deeply personal level.
While many are familiar with the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) focus in schools, it is social studies education that fosters the development of engaged, productive citizens. A hands-on approach to social studies nurtures critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity. It also strengthens students' literacy and speaking skills. The engaging nature of experiential learning enhances motivation, making the subject more enjoyable and improving retention of information. Through collaborative learning, students reinforce democratic processes as they practice questioning, challenging, making decisions, and solving problems together. These fun and meaningful experiences lay the foundation for students to use their hearts, minds, and words to positively impact society.
Sample of Ongoing Experiential Social Studies Projects
Community and Cultures
At Gold Hill School, students not only explore their own community, cultures, and customs, but also learn about the diverse communities, cultures, and traditions from around the world. Through immersion in language, food, clothing, daily life, and celebrations of various cultures, students develop a deep sense of global citizenship and learn to see themselves as part of a connected world.
American History
History is storytelling, empathy, and perspective. Through the study of American History, students gain a deeper understanding of their own story, explore the journey of our nation, and reflect on where we have come from and where we are headed.
Living History
Living History Day is a community-wide simulation that brings the past to life for the benefit of BVSD school children. Schools are invited to spend the day in Gold Hill, immersing themselves in the history of the town. The day begins at the Colorado Mountain Ranch, where students engage in hands-on activities such as horseback riding, packing trail mules and donkeys, panning for gold, watching Native American dancing, square dancing, roping cattle, and much more.
Older Gold Hill students perform a play about the first Gold Hill Town Meeting and the founding of the town, while younger students teach traditional 1800s games. Teachers share the rich history of the historic schoolhouse, and the store is open for penny candy. The Bluebird Lodge hosts ghost stories, and mountain man camps feature demonstrations of cooking, trapping, and outdoor living. Miners conduct jack drilling demonstrations, and blacksmiths and farriers showcase their trades.
Throughout the event, everyone—students, teachers, parents, and townsfolk—wears period costumes, creating a truly fantastic and memorable experience for all involved.
Mountain Man Camp
As part of our study of Colorado history, students spend a week in "Mountain Man Camp." We are fortunate to have true mountain men and women in our area who eagerly share their expertise with our students. These knowledgeable guests act as instructors, guiding the week's learning. Each half-day session focuses on a different primitive living skill, such as shelter and fire building, hunting, trapping, the fur trade, making clothes, using herbs and natural medicines, cooking over a fire, leatherworking, and more. Throughout the week, students create and add to their bundles of handmade items. At the end of the week, students hold a Rendezvous, inviting younger students, parents, and the community to learn these skills and trade items on the "trading blanket." This memorable experience is often a highlight of the year for students.
Native American Studies
Our Native American studies focus on the Plains Indians, exploring their cultures both today and during the pre- and post-westward expansion periods. The Gold Hill School has a tipi, and our community has a kiva, both of which are available to students for immersive learning experiences. As part of a simulation project, students research various tribal leaders and compare their responses to the challenges of westward expansion. We culminate the project with our own "Pow Wow," where students share their knowledge with the class. Students learn about tribal arts, stories, music, dress, history, and life today. A key focus is the role of the buffalo in tribal traditions, with a small tipi and a buffalo robe serving as teaching tools in the classroom. We also visit the Denver Powwow, the Comanche National Grasslands, and various museums to explore tribal living, artifacts, and art. We begin our studies by examining the native people and their cultures before discussing westward expansion and the formation of Colorado. This approach helps students understand the historical context that our current homes were built upon lands that were once inhabited by native tribes.
Integrating the Arts
At the Gold Hill School, we love putting on musical plays! Our students perform musicals about significant historical events, such as the American Revolution, Westward Expansion, and Immigration. Music plays a key role in our classrooms, helping to reinforce learning across subjects. In math, we sing our multiplication tables; in science, we sing about taxonomic levels; and in social studies, we sing about the electoral college. Dressing up and stepping into the shoes of historical figures allows students to connect personally with their characters, helping them internalize and better understand the stories of our country.
Civics
Civics education is essential, even for our youngest students. It's important for them to understand the value of being informed citizens and to learn how to use their voices to stand up for what is true and right. At the Gold Hill School, we design simulations and experiences that not only teach the structures of government but also help students embrace their role in the democratic process.
Elections
Every four years, the older students at Gold Hill School put on an election for President and Vice President that coincides with the national presidential elections. The students are divided into competing political parties, researching their party’s agenda and creating briefing papers, campaign materials, commercials, and radio advertisements to convince the rest of the school to vote for them. They deliver speeches, engage in debates, and earn points in the Electoral College based on the quality of their campaign components. On Election Day, votes are cast, and the outcome of the popular vote adds points to the Electoral College to determine the winner. The winners become President and Vice President of Gold Hill School. This immersive unit not only teaches students about the political system and democratic processes but also helps them learn to take different perspectives.
Local Government
At the Gold Hill School, students participate in a local government simulation with a focus on finance and business. They create a mini-city and take on roles in the city's leadership, attending city council meetings and using Robert's Rules of Order to pass various ordinances. Through this process, students learn to use their brains, hearts, and kind words to be a voice for good in their community. They also discover the power of youth in government, understanding that even young voices can make a difference. By exploring how young people have influenced Boulder and other cities, students gain a deeper appreciation for civic engagement. As part of this project, they attend a Gold Hill Town Meeting, presenting a well-developed plan for a community service project. This experience teaches them that running a community is not just for adults—young voices are just as important and valuable.
Integrating the Arts
Want to experience the world’s most unique original puppet show musical, featuring characters like Ronald Reagan, Bernie Sanders, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, George Washington, and more? Then don’t miss the Gold Hill School talent show! At Gold Hill, there’s always a song, a dance, and a play for every occasion!
Economics
Many adults these days lament that they learned about quadratic equations as a student, but never learned a thing about financial planning. Many adults are intimidated by finance and find themselves in trouble as a result. At the Gold Hill School, we not only teach about important financial concepts, we bring the subject to life through exciting simulations.
Business Education
At the Gold Hill School, students participate in a city simulation where they each run their own business. With a local government framework, they learn essential financial skills such as counting money, making change, writing checks, using debit and credit cards, and calculating taxes and discounts. Students also gain valuable experience in budgeting and financial planning while exploring concepts like consumers, producers, and supply and demand. In the end, they have the opportunity to sell real merchandise to fellow students, parents, and community members, putting their financial decisions into action.
Personal Finance
In this simulation, Gold Hill School students adopt the persona of an 18-year-old with a name, skill set, and personality attributes of their choosing. They follow their persona’s life journey from age 18 to 65, making important financial decisions along the way. Students purchase cars and homes, invest, donate, buy insurance, and save for retirement. In the end, they calculate their net worth to determine if they have enough to live comfortably for the next 20 years. The experience culminates in a fun retirement party. Students enjoy stepping into the shoes of an adult and making real-world financial choices. Some may overspend and learn valuable lessons about the consequences, while others find themselves well-prepared for the future. Either way, it’s an insightful and rewarding learning experience.
Marketing
In this simulation, students create their own toy company and design a unique, one-of-a-kind toy that isn’t available on the market—the toy they wish they could buy. They then use persuasive writing to craft an advertising campaign and develop a prototype of their product, along with various marketing materials to promote it. The simulation culminates in a toy convention where students showcase their prototypes to the public. They work to persuade potential consumers to place orders, with teams competing to secure the highest number of orders from guests.