Student Motivation, Engagement, and Academic Performance within the Context of Math and Science Project-based Learning

The collection of papers in this special issue examines the dynamics of math and science education from one large urban school district in United States. Papers range from early to late elementary classrooms with diverse student populations in K-7 schools. This editor’s essay provides a brief overview of each of the 7 articles and the authors’ contribution to the expanding STEM research on math and science education and academic performance within the context of project-based learning. Included is a mix of action research studies conducted at 7 different elementary schools by teacher-researcher-practitioners. The papers present diverse vantage points on the circumstances that influence student motivation, student learning, and student engagement within the context of project-based learning.