I am primarily responsible for teaching courses in physics and physical science although I do occasionally teach mathematics and electronics. Problem-based education is a strategy for addressing learning especially in technical and scientific education. The problem is presented before any instruction takes place.
Students then learn about the subject in order to determine the answer to the problem.
As an example, most people will learn something about a computer program in order to accomplish a particular task. One might, for example, learn about a spreadsheet program in order to use it to make calculations about mortgage payments. The problem gives personal meaning to learning the material. It often leads to learning more about a subject than what is covered in a standard class section. I have used problem-based education in the teaching of physics.