EdCircuit Staff 
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Novato, CA (January 27, 2025) – The Buck Institute for Education (dba PBLWorks), a national provider of professional development for high-quality Project Based Learning (PBL), announces Dr. Christopher Emdin as the keynote speaker for its 2025 PBL World conference being held June 23-26, 2025 at American Canyon High School in Napa Valley, California.
Emdin is a former middle and high school science and math teacher, distinguished professor, bestselling award-winning author, dynamic speaker, and creator of the HipHopEd social media movement. He has been named one of the 27 people bridging divides in the United States by Time magazine and is on the Root 100 list of most influential African Americans. Emdin spoke at the 2020 PBL World conference where he made the case for PBL as “an anchor for social justice work” and “a pedagogy for emancipation,” and called on the audience to “use PBL to change the world.”
“Emdin challenges us to reimagine education as a space that celebrates students’ identities, cultures, and voices through his groundbreaking work advancing educational equity,” said PBLWorks’ CEO Bob Lenz. “He understands the transformative power of Project Based Learning, and his work aligns with PBLWorks’ mission to use PBL to support deeper learning and success for all students, especially Black and Brown students. We look forward to a valuable, insightful message from Emdin that will inspire PBL World attendees.”
About Dr. Christopher Emdin
Dr. Christopher Emdin is the Maxine Greene Chair for Distinguished Contributions to Education and Professor of Science Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, and Director of the STEAM DREAM & IdeaLab. He is also the creator of the HipHopEd social media movement, Science Genius B.A.T.T.L.E.S. (Bringing Attention to Transforming, Teaching and Learning Science), a competition where high school students create and perform raps about scientific concepts, and the CREATE Accelerator, an initiative that funds non-profits focused on culture and education.
He is the author of numerous award-winning books, including the “Urban Science Education for the Hip-hop Generation” and the New York Times bestseller, “For White Folks Who Teach In the Hood and the Rest of Y’all too.” His books also include “STEM STEAM, Make Dream” and “Ratchetdemic: Reimagining Academic Success.” He is co-editor of the 2024 book “From White Folks who Teach in the Hood: Reflections on Race, Culture and Identity” which includes a contribution from PBLWorks National Faculty member, Jim Bentley.
In addition, Emdin is an alumni fellow at the Hip-hop Archive and Hutchins Center at Harvard University and a former Scholar in Residence at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. He has also served as a STEAM Ambassador for the U.S. Department of State and Minorities in Energy Ambassador for the U.S. Department of Energy.
About the Conference
PBL World is PBLWorks’ signature annual event. The multi-day Project Based Learning conference brings together preK-12 teachers, instructional coaches, and school and district leaders who want to begin or advance their Project Based Learning practice and connect with a community of their peers.
This year’s theme, “PBL: Igniting Hope, Empowering Change,” highlights the possibilities that Project Based Learning offers for meaningful transformation—empowering students to navigate a complex world with confidence and curiosity, while reigniting educators’ passion and commitment to fostering authentic and impactful learning.
The conference features PBLWorks’ signature three-day workshops on high-quality Project Based Learning, new curriculum workshops, engaging speakers, and networking opportunities. During the conference, PBLWorks will also announce its 2025 PBL Champions and the recipients of the 2025 John Larmer “JL” Lifelong Learning Awards.
For more information and to register for PBL World 2025, visit www.pblworks.org/pbl-world.
About PBLWorks
The Buck Institute for Education/PBLWorks believes that all students, especially Black and Brown students, should have access to high-quality Project Based Learning to deepen their learning and achieve success in college, career, and life. Its focus is on building the capacity of teachers to design and facilitate quality Project Based Learning and on supporting school and system leaders in creating the conditions for these teachers to succeed with all students.
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