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Benefits of AP Courses with Projects

The knowledge and skills students learn in AP courses with projects can be applied in their lives now and in the future.

Project Based Learning in the Classroom 

Project based learning can help your students develop the inquiry skills to take on real-world challenges and prepare for the future. 

Three AP courses have incorporated an optional project based learning instructional approach: 

Powerful research examining AP Environmental Science and AP U.S. Government and Politics (.pdf) shows that project based learning can significantly improve performance on the AP Exam.  

These courses also have specialized professional learning available. Connect with a community of AP teachers who are bringing project based learning to their classrooms through the AP Project Based Learning Series. 

Note: This instructional model is optional and not an AP curricular requirement. 

Projects in AP Assessments 

Offering AP courses that incorporate projects as part of the final AP Exam score can get a wider range of students excited about trying AP for the first time. 

These AP subjects allow students to demonstrate their knowledge of course content and skills through projects and performance tasks: 

  • AP African American Studies. In this rich interdisciplinary course, students create a project on a related topic of their choice.  
  • AP Computer Science Principles. Whether students want to pursue a career in computer science, medicine, fashion, or engineering, this AP course can help them prepare and learn how to build solutions to real-world problems. No prior coding knowledge is needed. 
  • English 10: AP Seminar. Boost engagement in English 10 through collaborative projects and performance tasks.  
  • AP Seminar and AP Research. These interdisciplinary courses are part of the AP Capstone Diploma™ program and focus on developing students’ skills in research, analysis, collaboration, writing, and presentation. 
  • AP Art and Design. In an AP Art and Design course, students develop the skills that artists and designers use and create a portfolio of work that is assessed to produce their AP score.

Explore More 

Visit the AP course and exam pages for more details on all AP courses. 

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