Today I met with a great group of teachers embarking on implementing project based learning together. I shared this sem inal article with them and we discussed their ideas. But AFTER I left their meeting, what I REALLY wanted to say hit me. As you plan your projects, consider at least one element of project design that will get (and keep) kids interested BEYOND the 8 essentials . . . 1. Serve others in need with your project. Example: Students build a grocery store via donations to fuel the local food bank. In the process, they learn about pricing, inventory control, spreadsheets, and supply and demand. High school students create books about science concepts for elementary school students from poverty with no books in their homes. Each child gets a book. 2. Serve other students by teaching them something they need to know. Example: Everyone is reading this novel in English, but my team is responsible for teaching everyone about theme in this work of literature. If we do a bad job