Author: Усипбеков Асылхан Пернебайұлы, Director of Seitzhan School
Project-based learning (PBL) at Seitzhan School in Shymkent is a method for grades 1–9: children spend several lessons on a real question, use knowledge from more than one subject, and finish with a result other people can see. It is how theory becomes a skill — not a replacement for mathematics, languages or exams.
What a PBL cycle looks like
A cycle starts with a driving question (“How can our class use less paper?”), continues with research and drafts, and ends with a presentation, exhibition or product. Teachers assess both the content and the process: planning, teamwork, sources.
- Question and success criteria are written on the board.
- Students gather facts, interviews or measurements.
- They build a model, text, experiment or performance.
- They present to classmates, parents or younger grades.
- The class reflects: what would we change next time?
Why grades 1–9, not only high school
Waiting until grade 10 to “do projects” is too late: by then the calendar is full of UNT, SAT and IELTS. Starting in grade 1, with age-appropriate tasks, builds research habits while there is still time. In the upper grades the same method supports career guidance and exam-style arguments.
PBL sits beside Singapore Mathematics in the primary years and beside exam courses later. See the full curriculum for clubs (about 20) that can feed a project: robotics, debate, art studio, chess.
What parents will see at home
- A named question, not “do a project on anything”.
- A deadline for a presentation, not an open-ended craft.
- Work in groups — ask who did which part.
- Feedback on sources and speech, not only on decoration.
If you are comparing schools, use the private-school checklist for Shymkent and book a campus visit.
Questions parents ask
- What is project-based learning (PBL)?
- PBL is a teaching method in which students investigate a real question over several lessons, use subject knowledge, work with classmates, and present a result. It is used in grades 1–9 at Seitzhan School.
- Does PBL replace textbooks and exams?
- No. PBL sits next to subject lessons, Singapore Math in grades 1–4, English and exam preparation. Projects train research and communication; exams still require accurate knowledge.
- How much homework does PBL create?
- Most project work happens in class. Home tasks are usually short: a photo, an interview with a parent, or finishing a slide. Teachers set a public presentation date so the load is visible.
- How can parents support a PBL project?
- Ask what question the project answers, who the audience is, and what the child still needs. Help with materials, not with writing the whole text.
