Singapore Pro Wrestling? The Ultimate PBL & STEM Experience?
- David Lee
- 13 minutes ago
- 2 min read
"Cheeseburger Kid." Known for his agility and daring aerial maneuvers, his performance was a masterclass in athleticism, theatrics, and storytelling.
As I watched the spectacle unfold—from the high-flying moves to the intense rivalries—I had a thought: What if a group of students decided to create their own wrestling entertainment event?
If safety and student well-being were the top priority, I believe this would be the ultimate Project-Based, Transdisciplinary Learning experience.
Authenticity in Design: I love designing learning experiences that are as authentic as possible. To hone this skill, I often examine real-world projects to see how academic knowledge is applied to produce a tangible outcome. A wrestling event is the perfect case study.
It all starts with a Challenging Question: “How might we produce a wrestling entertainment event for the community?”
This central focus motivates students to engage in sustained inquiry, asking deeper questions like:
How do we create storylines and rivalries?
How do we develop engaging and safe choreography?
What are the technical lighting and sound needs?
How do we budget for equipment and ticket sales?
The Transdisciplinary Connection: To answer these questions, students must apply skills from multiple subject areas:
Language Arts: Scripting storylines and creating promotional materials.
Physical Education & Science: Training in conditioning and techniques, complemented by studying the physics of movement and safety.
Performing Arts & Music: Designing costumes, sets, and choreography, while selecting music to set the tone.
Technology: Managing sound systems, lighting, and camera work for dramatic entrances.
Social Studies & Math: Using economic reasoning and financial planning to manage revenue and costs.
Why It Matters: This is the essence of transdisciplinary learning—integrating perspectives from multiple disciplines to connect new knowledge to real-life experiences.
Because the final product is public (the event itself), it raises the stakes. It encourages higher-quality work and gives students ownership over the resources they use and the roles they take.
By examining real-world spectacles like SPW through a PBL lens, we can see the practical applications of academic standards and design more authentic experiences for our students.
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