Since statistical problems arise from the world they must end with interpretation back to the real-world question that gave rise to data collected to answer the question. It is important that teachers allow adequate time for this interpretation. Interpreting results and comparing various approaches to problems generates excitement in the classroom. Finally, this intepreting and comparing opens up the classroom to the richness of diverse views of the world, which ultimately improves the final quality of solutions. Student-designed projects also engage students in a more complete form of assessment than do standard exercises and students learn statistical lessons that can't be imparted through textbook problems.
Teamwork can also be a valuable component of such work.
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