Preparing Students for a Project-Based World by Bonnie Lathram, Bob Lenz, and Tom Vander Ark spells out the rationale for introducing project-based learning as an excellent way to prepare students for college and careers. It is the first of three reports about the new economy and inequities in student preparation. The next two parts will deal with preparing teachers and students for a project-based classroom.

STEM by Design: Strategies and Activities for Grades 4-8 by Anne Jolly explains how true STEM lessons provide engineering problems where students apply math and science concepts as they produce and refine prototype solutions to real-world problems. Such problems also allow students to apply art and communication skills. Every school contemplating or running a STEM program should get this book for the advice it contains and the abundant resources included.