Teamwork is a key skill in developing students’ social, communication, and creativity skills. Teachers can support collaboration by creating group projects that engage, inspire, and teach responsibility. Below, we present proven ways to activate students to work in teams and examples of valuable projects that can help them enjoy and recognize the value of teamwork.

1. Role distribution – everyone has a responsibility

Assigning roles is the first step to successful collaboration. Giving students different tasks within a project, such as team leader, researcher, presenter, or summarizer, ensures everyone feels needed. This helps each student contribute and take responsibility, reducing the risk of one person doing all the work while others remain passive.

Project example: Creating a report on climate change where each team member focuses on a specific aspect of the issue. Some analyze causes, others examine consequences, and others propose solutions. Each team member presents their part during a group presentation.

2. Problem-Based learning projects (PBL)

The PBL (Project-Based Learning) method encourages students to collaborate in solving real-world problems. PBL projects are highly engaging as they require students to find solutions based on research and creativity. These projects teach collaboration, critical thinking skills, and prepare students for decision-making.

Project example: The “Smart City” project – students work on a vision of a future city, focusing on one selected area such as transportation, energy, waste management, or urban greenery. The project allows students to apply knowledge from various subjects and encourages creativity.

3. Simulation games and decision-making tasks

Simulation games and decision-making tasks are excellent tools for teaching teamwork in dynamic conditions. Students make decisions based on available information and observe the consequences of their choices. This helps them learn how to collaborate under pressure and highlights the importance of communication in a team.

Project example: The simulation game “Building a planet” – each team is tasked with developing a plan for a newly discovered planet. Team members must decide on economic development, environmental protection, and education based on set resources and constraints.

4. Hackathons and coding marathons

Hackathons are not just for advanced programmers—they work great in school environments too! A hackathon is an intensive, time-limited event where students work in teams to solve a specific task or create a prototype application. It provides an opportunity to learn teamwork, time management, and quick problem-solving skills.

Project example: A school hackathon “Eco-friendly app” – teams create a prototype of an app to address environmental problems, such as saving water, recycling, or animal protection. Students can collaborate on the concept, presentation, and planning app features.

5. Community-Based projects – activities for the local community

Working on projects that positively impact the local community is an excellent way to build a sense of responsibility and engagement. Community-based projects, such as organizing charity events or creating educational brochures, unite students around a common goal and teach empathy.

Project example: Organizing a school ecology day – students prepare workshops and information booths about environmental protection, promoting ecological awareness in the school and local community.

How to activate students for teamwork?

  • Create space for feedback: Encourage students to regularly share their thoughts and experiences. This helps better understand their needs and concerns about teamwork.
  • Celebrate small successes: Appreciating the progress of each team—even the smallest achievements—helps students feel motivated and see the value of collaboration.
  • Set an example and inspire: Show examples of successful team projects from everyday life, science, or business success stories.

Teamwork is a key element of social and professional development. Teachers can enrich students’ experiences through various group projects that engage and teach valuable collaboration skills. Using methods like PBL, simulations, hackathons, and community projects helps students enjoy teamwork and develop essential skills for the future.

Sources

  • “The benefits of collaborative learning,” Edutopia.
  • “Project-based learning: Real-world problem solving in the classroom,” The Buck Institute for Education.