I wanted to provide an insightful illustration of true pedagogy that makes learning genuinely engaging. A video from PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs called "Colonia residents demand clean, safe water" is included in the lesson plan."How Well Are Our Wells?" (you can watch it right here: PBS Student Reporting Labs Lesson Plan – How Well Are Our Wells?) PBS

In this video, high school students investigate real groundwater issues that affect over 1.5 million Americans in colonias. They:

Explore how climate change and farming impact water quality using a low-cost physical model, agency data (USGS, EPA), and video evidence. PBS

Propose and defend their own solutions to the well water problems they uncover. PBS

Why this is such a strong example of authentic pedagogy:

1.Real-world relevance – Students address an environmental challenge that directly affects people’s lives in their communities.

2.Higher-order thinking – They analyze data, interpret models, and design solutions—not just memorize information.

3.Student agency and voice – The students drive their own investigation and choose how to present their findings, which fosters ownership of learning.

I particularly like how this kind of activity increases student engagement: when students' work goes outside the textbook, they get more involved. They become storytellers, investigators, and problem solvers.