The Problem-Solving Gap

What if one of the most important things education can do is give students more opportunities to experience joy in life? In this episode, Trevor explores why joy deserves a place in our curriculum and instruction. From his own experience falling in love with reading to his daughter's "Magic Spot" in the woods, he shares how meaningful learning experiences can spark curiosity, build lasting interests, and help students discover the richness of the world around them. He also asks a challenging question: As schools focus on standards, assessments, and new instructional programs, are we unintentionally crowding out the experiences that make learning enjoyable? This doesn't mean always making school mean fun or easy. Sometimes it comes from solving a difficult problem, discovering something fascinating, or creating something meaningful. And if we want students to develop a lifelong love of learning, we have to make room for those experiences.

What if a project students made in science class actually ended up being used by people on the other side of the world? In this episode, I talk with educator Kelli about an incredible project where her students designed and built solar ovens that were eventually sent to Uganda and are actually being used there. We talk about how the project came together, how she still taught the required science standards through it, and what happened when students realized their work could have an impact beyond the classroom. We also get into some of the bigger ideas behind great PBL, like giving students voice and choice, finding authentic audiences, and creating learning experiences that actually matter to kids. This is a really cool story about what can happen when learning becomes real.

In this episode, Trevor reflects on the teachers who shaped his life, from losing a spelling bee in middle school to seeing a former teacher waiting in the crowd at graduation years later. Along the way, he explores the powerful research behind mentorship, role models, and the lasting impact educators have on students long after they leave the classroom. Portrait of A Graduate Email List: https://www.trevormuir.com/newsletter  https://artsintegrationconference.com/ https://eventreg.collegeboard.org/event/af7e331a-a3f8-4934-bca7-9a44fc1820bd/summary

What if a dog could change the feel of a school? After the pandemic, Laura Schuler saw students struggling in ways she hadn’t before. Instead of waiting for a perfect solution, she helped bring school support dogs into her district. In this episode, we break down how the program works, what it costs, and why it’s making a difference. Read the how-to guide on starting a support dog program.

Most employers today aren’t asking, “What do you know?” They’re asking, “What can you do?” Problem solving has become one of the most valuable skills in the workforce, yet it’s one of the least consistently developed in school. In this episode, I unpack the growing shift toward skills-based hiring and what it reveals about the gap between how students are taught and what they’ll actually be expected to do beyond the classroom.  Design Thinking Poster: https://www.trevormuir.com/design-thinking-poster

From freelancers and engineers to designers, city planners, and researchers, millions of people earn a living by solving problems through project work. Yet in many classrooms, projects still show up as add-ons instead of the main way students learn. In this episode, Trevor unpacks why students need to learn how to do projects, not just complete them. You’ll hear why “dessert projects” fall short, what main-course project-based learning actually looks like, and how authenticity and relevance drive deeper engagement. If we want students to be ready for life after graduation, we have to start designing learning that mirrors the way the world actually works. Want hands-on support designing main-course projects for your classroom? Join Trevor for a full-day Project-Based Learning workshop focused on building authentic, standards-aligned projects that drive engagement and deeper learning. https://www.trevormuir.com/pbl-workshop Take the Epic Project-Based Learning Master Class, Trevor’s online PBL Course that walks you step-by-step through designing, launching, and managing powerful project-based learning units. https://www.trevormuir.com/pbl-course

This week we explore the 20% rule and why you don’t need to love every part of work. Learn how finding and protecting the parts you enjoy can help you avoid burnout.

Over the past month, schools in the Twin Cities have been operating in the shadow of ongoing ICE raids and heightened immigration enforcement. The impact has been felt far beyond the headlines, inside classrooms, hallways, and school communities. In this episode, I speak with three educators who are teaching in Minneapolis and St. Paul right now. They share what they are seeing in their schools, how students are being affected, and what it’s like to try to create a sense of safety, normalcy, and care during a time of fear and uncertainty. This is not a political conversation. It is a human one. It’s about students, classrooms, and the educators who continue to show up for kids when things are heavy. If you’ve ever wondered what teaching looks like during a community crisis, or what students need most from the adults in their lives during moments like this, this conversation offers an honest window into that reality.

In a world dominated by bad news, this episode explores why teaching students to notice and share real good news matters more than ever. Get The Good News Project free here: https://www.trevormuir.com/good-news  Sign Up for the Weekly Newsletter: https://www.trevormuir.com/newsletter

In this episode, I’m sharing one of the most impactful projects I ever did with my students, and it all came down to one thing: their work mattered. My class was studying tolerance, conflict, and what it looks like for people to live together throughout history. Instead of teaching it the traditional way, we partnered with a local college and gave students a real challenge: master the content, turn it into lesson plans, and teach it to future teachers. Even though a big part of the project was writing a research paper, students consistently called it their favorite unit of the year. The difference wasn’t the assignment, it was the purpose behind it. We’ll dig into why authentic audiences raise student effort, how relevance fuels motivation, and why project-based learning leads to deeper learning, not less. Check out the Epic PBL Workshop here: https://www.trevormuir.com/pbl-workshop www.epicpbl.com