Singapore Pro Wrestling? The Ultimate PBL & STEM Experience?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dPwynLRQMo

"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.

Resources:

PBL Project Elements: https://www.pblworks.org/what-is-pbl/gold-standard-project-design Transdisciplinary Learning: https://www.inspiringinquiry.com/learningteaching/transdisciplinary#:~:text=Transdisciplinary%20learning%20is%20the%20exploration,understanding%20to%20real%20life%20experiences.