There are many sets of Essential Elements of PBL, the following we find quite useful: 

• Driving Question

• Entry Event

• Checkpoints

• Rubrics

• End Products

• Student Voice

• Inquiry

• Knows and Need to Knows

• Scaffolding and Assessment

• Presentation

Penuel et al (2022) present four design principles for constructing a Content Storyline to support coherence from a student perspective:  

• Design Principle 1: Anchor knowledge building in questions and problems students identify from engaging in phenomena connected to their interests and expertise 

• Design Principle 2: Support students’ incremental building of science ideas and practices 

• Design Principle 3: Support students as collaborators in managing the trajectory of investigations 

• Design Principle 4: Curriculum should support teachers in creating an inclusive classroom community 

Four principles for designing a Practice Pathway in PBL that ensure coherence, authenticity, and inclusion from the perspective of the learner: 

• Principle 1: Center disciplinary practices in service of a meaningful, authentic purpose. 

• Principle 2: Plan for repeated opportunities to engage with and refine the practice. 

• Principle 3: Make student thinking visible and support them in naming their growth. 

• Principle 4: Design with students’ identities, assets, and experiences in mind. 

Belonging is essential to student success. Plan with the 5 Tools to Cultivate Belonging: 

1. Affirming students’ identities and community knowledge 

2. Creating challenging and equitable learning experiences 

3. Social-justice-oriented curriculum and investigations 

4. Transformative and responsive teaching practices 

5. Empowerment through action and reflection