--- title: MPA Student Tackles Project-Based Learning in Baton Rouge description: In getting an MPA at Cornell, I recently had the opportunity to be co-supervisor for a winter session course that brought together a multi-disciplinary team of undergraduate students to spend a week at a special elementary school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. image: https://mpastories.publicpolicy.cornell.edu/hubfs/blog/Students%20in%20front%20of%20the%20school%20with%20a%20sign%20reading%20Welcome%20Cornell%20Students.png --- Search: February 13, 2019 # MPA Student Tackles Project-Based Learning in Baton Rouge ![MPA Student Tackles Project-Based Learning in Baton Rouge-image](https://mpastories.publicpolicy.cornell.edu/hubfs/blog/Students%20in%20front%20of%20the%20school%20with%20a%20sign%20reading%20Welcome%20Cornell%20Students.png) “Children are great imitators. So, give them something great to imitate.” -Anonymous  I had the amazing opportunity over the break to be co-supervisor for a winter session course [EDUC 2010 801-FLD Off-campus program: Education Program in Baton Rouge in Winter](https://www.sce.cornell.edu/ws/courses/off/educ4940_film/index.php). The course brings together a multi-disciplinary team of undergraduate students to spend a week in January at a special elementary school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The elementary school has responded to low student test scores in a brave, unusual way: by integrating project-based learning and the arts into its curriculum. Research confirms that project-based learning (PBL) is an effective and enjoyable way to learn. PBL also develops deeper learning competencies required for success in college, career, and civic life. [![Interested in joining Cornell University's MPA program? We invite you to s chedule a visit to the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4638968/abc46725-85a0-4e4a-8cb4-e858692eb1b6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4638968/abc46725-85a0-4e4a-8cb4-e858692eb1b6) ![Jacquelyn pictured with a group of students](https://mpastories.publicpolicy.cornell.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/Jacquelyn%20pictured%20with%20a%20group%20of%20students.png?width=300&name=Jacquelyn%20pictured%20with%20a%20group%20of%20students.png) To help the school build its capacity for project-based learning, this year I coordinated local trips in Louisiana for students in grades 4 and 5. The goal was to help them identify what they would like to be when they grew up, connect their interests to working towards and receiving a higher education, and encouraging a greater sense of purpose among the children. To achieve this goal we applied flexible, hands-on learning, channeling meaningful discussions, and visual reflection. My role as a co-supervisor also involved leading and mentoring the undergraduate student’s taking the course. Every night during the trip, I encouraged them to contemplate about their day, taking the time to describe their challenges and benefits—for students, education professionals, and schools—of enacting project-based pedagogy vs. more conventional direct instruction. By tackling their thoughts every night, they were able to strategically think about how they would do things differently the next day. ![Jacquelyn pictured with undergraduate team](https://mpastories.publicpolicy.cornell.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/blog/Jacquelyn%20pictured%20with%20undergraduate%20team.png?width=600&name=Jacquelyn%20pictured%20with%20undergraduate%20team.png) At the end of the week, my group visited a local high school and we spoke with juniors about the benefits of receiving a higher education. After lunch, we helped paint a mural! By far one of my most rewarding experiences. If you have questions about attending Cornell University's Institute for Public Affairs, we encourage you to [request more information](https://mpa.human.cornell.edu/request-more-information) today! *Jacquelyn Chyrell Richards is a second-year MPA student who is concentrating her studies on Government, Politics and Policy.  A native New Yorker, she grew up on Long Island in a single-parent household and attended college as a first-generation student. She has fourteen years of experience advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves. She serves as the President of Cornell’s Black Graduate & Professional Student Association*. ## Subscribe to our graduate education blog — **Public Policy in Action —** for tips and tools related to pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree! [![Subscribe to the Blog](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4638968/7158272b-de31-4e62-ad12-d4cffe499ba2.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4638968/7158272b-de31-4e62-ad12-d4cffe499ba2) Previous Post Just Another Day at CIPA: Meeting White House Reporter April Ryan Next Post An Interview With the Director of the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs — Maria Fitzpatrick ## READ MORE ON THE BLOG [VIEW ALL BLOGS](https://mpastories.publicpolicy.cornell.edu/blog) BLOG ### An Interview With the Director of the Cornell Institute for Public Affairs — Maria Fitzpatrick Maria Fitzpatrick is an Associate Professor in the Department of Policy and Management, Milman... BLOG ### Just Another Day at CIPA: Meeting White House Reporter April Ryan *Alexandria is a second-year student who is concentrating her studies on Government, Politics and...* BLOG ### 3 Graduate Certificate Options for Specializing Your MPA I remember reading about the Cornell’s CIPA program — its broad scope and relative ability to let... ## Subscribe to the Blog ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Jacquelyn Richards", "url" : "https://mpastories.publicpolicy.cornell.edu/blog/author/jacquelyn-richards" }, "dateModified" : "2019-11-12T21:19:50.519Z", "datePublished" : "2019-02-13T21:19:00.000Z", "headline" : "MPA Student Tackles Project-Based Learning in Baton Rouge", "image" : [ "https://mpastories.publicpolicy.cornell.edu/hubfs/blog/Students%20in%20front%20of%20the%20school%20with%20a%20sign%20reading%20Welcome%20Cornell%20Students.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://mpastories.publicpolicy.cornell.edu/blog/mpa-student-tackles-project-based-learning-in-baton-rouge", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://mpastories.publicpolicy.cornell.edu/hubfs/Logos/SPP_1_line_red_black.png" }, "name" : "Cornell Inst. for Public Affairs" } } ```