The Epic Classroom with Trevor Muir

What if a project students made in science class actually ended up being used by people on the other side of the world? In this episode, I talk with educator Kelli about an incredible project where her students designed and built solar ovens that were eventually sent to Uganda and are actually being used there. We talk about how the project came together, how she still taught the required science standards through it, and what happened when students realized their work could have an impact beyond the classroom. We also get into some of the bigger ideas behind great PBL, like giving students voice and choice, finding authentic audiences, and creating learning experiences that actually matter to kids. This is a really cool story about what can happen when learning becomes real.

In this episode, Trevor reflects on the teachers who shaped his life, from losing a spelling bee in middle school to seeing a former teacher waiting in the crowd at graduation years later. Along the way, he explores the powerful research behind mentorship, role models, and the lasting impact educators have on students long after they leave the classroom. Portrait of A Graduate Email List: https://www.trevormuir.com/newsletter https://artsintegrationconference.com/ https://eventreg.collegeboard.org/event/af7e331a-a3f8-4934-bca7-9a44fc1820bd/summary

What if a dog could change the feel of a school? After the pandemic, Laura Schuler saw students struggling in ways she hadn’t before. Instead of waiting for a perfect solution, she helped bring school support dogs into her district. In this episode, we break down how the program works, what it costs, and why it’s making a difference. Read the how-to guide on starting a support dog program.

Most employers today aren’t asking, “What do you know?” They’re asking, “What can you do?” Problem solving has become one of the most valuable skills in the workforce, yet it’s one of the least consistently developed in school. In this episode, I unpack the growing shift toward skills-based hiring and what it reveals about the gap between how students are taught and what they’ll actually be expected to do beyond the classroom. Design Thinking Poster: https://www.trevormuir.com/design-thinking-poster

From freelancers and engineers to designers, city planners, and researchers, millions of people earn a living by solving problems through project work. Yet in many classrooms, projects still show up as add-ons instead of the main way students learn. In this episode, Trevor unpacks why students need to learn how to do projects, not just complete them. You’ll hear why “dessert projects” fall short, what main-course project-based learning actually looks like, and how authenticity and relevance drive deeper engagement. If we want students to be ready for life after graduation, we have to start designing learning that mirrors the way the world actually works. Want hands-on support designing main-course projects for your classroom? Join Trevor for a full-day Project-Based Learning workshop focused on building authentic, standards-aligned projects that drive engagement and deeper learning. https://www.trevormuir.com/pbl-workshop Take the Epic Project-Based Learning Master Class, Trevor’s online PBL Course that walks you step-by-step through designing, launching, and managing powerful project-based learning units. https://www.trevormuir.com/pbl-course

This week we explore the 20% rule and why you don’t need to love every part of work. Learn how finding and protecting the parts you enjoy can help you avoid burnout.

Over the past month, schools in the Twin Cities have been operating in the shadow of ongoing ICE raids and heightened immigration enforcement. The impact has been felt far beyond the headlines, inside classrooms, hallways, and school communities. In this episode, I speak with three educators who are teaching in Minneapolis and St. Paul right now. They share what they are seeing in their schools, how students are being affected, and what it’s like to try to create a sense of safety, normalcy, and care during a time of fear and uncertainty. This is not a political conversation. It is a human one. It’s about students, classrooms, and the educators who continue to show up for kids when things are heavy. If you’ve ever wondered what teaching looks like during a community crisis, or what students need most from the adults in their lives during moments like this, this conversation offers an honest window into that reality.

In a world dominated by bad news, this episode explores why teaching students to notice and share real good news matters more than ever. Get The Good News Project free here: https://www.trevormuir.com/good-news Sign Up for the Weekly Newsletter: https://www.trevormuir.com/newsletter

In this episode, I’m sharing one of the most impactful projects I ever did with my students, and it all came down to one thing: their work mattered. My class was studying tolerance, conflict, and what it looks like for people to live together throughout history. Instead of teaching it the traditional way, we partnered with a local college and gave students a real challenge: master the content, turn it into lesson plans, and teach it to future teachers. Even though a big part of the project was writing a research paper, students consistently called it their favorite unit of the year. The difference wasn’t the assignment, it was the purpose behind it. We’ll dig into why authentic audiences raise student effort, how relevance fuels motivation, and why project-based learning leads to deeper learning, not less. Check out the Epic PBL Workshop here: https://www.trevormuir.com/pbl-workshop www.epicpbl.com

A look at how boredom fuels creativity for students and professionals, and simple classroom strategies to build quiet, low-stimulation moments that spark ideas. Read the Article: https://www.trevormuir.com/blog/need-boredom

In this episode I share a winter lesson that almost got shut down after a single complaint and how my principal’s unexpected pivot changed the entire day. What happened next taught me one of the most important lessons about leadership, flexibility, and what modern students need from us. This episode is about staying open, adjusting when the moment calls for it, and why adaptability is one of the most valuable skills in today’s classrooms and workforce. www.trevormuir.com

In this episode, I talk about the importance of knowing how to ask for what you want and need, along with what I’ve learned about helping students develop the skill of making clear, respectful requests. Because asking is one of the most essential forms of communication in adulthood, and it’s something we can start teaching long before students enter the workforce. We’ll explore how teachers can guide students through this process, the power of classroom projects that involve making real asks, and a simple framework you can use right away to help your students advocate for themselves. Get the Ask Framework free here: https://www.trevormuir.com/ask-framework www.trevormuir.com

A story about the power of one-on-one teaching, why it matters, and how teachers can make space for it, even in a busy classroom. Email Trevor at trevor@trevormuir.com Collaboration Toolkit: https://www.trevormuir.com/collaboration-toolkit

In this episode we talk about strategies to spark student curiosity and excitement in the classroom. Learn how passion, relevance, and student choice can turn flat lessons into engaging learning experiences. Here's the research I mention: https://news.gallup.com/poll/648896/schools-struggle-engage-gen-students.aspx?utm Read my article here: https://www.trevormuir.com/blog/student-interest

With AI tools able to record, transcribe, and even generate polished notes in seconds, it is easy to wonder: do students still need to take notes at all? In this episode, Trevor explores why the answer is a resounding yes. You will hear the brain science behind note-taking, why it leads to deeper comprehension than passive listening, and how different strategies—from handwritten notes to sketch notes to collaborative docs—can turn information into lasting learning. Discover practical ways to help your students use note-taking not just to prepare for a test, but to build critical thinking, communication, and adaptability skills that matter long after class ends.

If your students seem distracted, this episode explains why it’s not a decline in attention span but a lack of purpose — and what you can do to fix it. Collaboration Toolkit (FREE): https://www.trevormuir.com/collaboration-toolkit Read the article: https://www.trevormuir.com/blog/attention-span Watch the video: https://youtu.be/pltYo40JzPg

In the days after the shooting that killed Charlie Kirk and yet another school shooting, many teachers are wondering how to respond to students who are processing fear, grief, and confusion. In this episode, Trevor shares personal stories of how teachers’ reactions shaped him during past tragedies like Columbine, 9/11, and Sandy Hook. He unpacks the psychology of emotional contagion, showing how students often mirror the emotions of the adults they trust, and offers practical guidance for approaching difficult conversations with wisdom, calm, and compassion. Ground Rules for Class Discussion Posters: https://www.trevormuir.com/discussion-ground-rules

When calculators first appeared in classrooms, many schools banned them. Decades later, we’re asking the same kinds of questions about AI and other innovations. What do we hold onto, and what do we change? In this episode, Trevor explores the history of calculators in schools, the neuroscience of learning, the enduring value of art and music, and a simple litmus test for deciding what belongs in education today. At the heart of it all is one big question: How do we help students grow into their full potential?

In this episode, we unpack why traditional grading often fails to reflect student growth—and how competency-based grading offers a more accurate, equitable alternative. We explore what it looks like to grade for mastery, not averages, and share simple ways teachers can start making the shift. Read the article: https://www.trevormuir.com/blog/competency-based-grading Check out the LHRIC Tech Expo: https://it.lhric.org/tech_expo

What if the key to student engagement isn’t about attention spans, but about giving kids a reason to care? In this episode, I sit down with Jerry Kolber—executive producer of Brain Games and Who's Smarted?—to talk about the science of engagement, the power of relevance, and why a simple “because” can transform the way students learn. We’ll explore how great teaching isn’t about forcing information but about sparking curiosity—sometimes by making learning feel like anything but school. Check out Who Smarted here.