EdCircuit Staff 
Novato, CA (March 13, 2025) – The Buck Institute for Education (dba PBLWorks), a national provider of professional development for high-quality Project Based Learning (PBL), is launching a new professional development offering that is designed specifically for educators and school and district leaders who are just starting their Project Based Learning journeys.
The new PBLWorks’ PBL Institutes are regional, two-day, immersive professional learning gatherings during which participants hear from a spotlight speaker to motivate them along their journey, engage in expert-led workshops, collaborate with a community of local peers, and gain practical strategies they can apply right away in their classrooms. Participants quickly build their skills so they can dive into PBL with confidence.
PBLWorks plans to host five institutes this year in regions across the U.S. with the first one taking place July 17-18, 2025 in Alexandria, VA.
“Project Based Learning can be incredibly powerful when teachers have the right training and support, so it’s important to meet teachers where they are in their PBL journeys with workshops that are both accessible and impactful,” said PBLWorks CEO Bob Lenz. “Our PBL Institutes are perfect for teachers who are new to Project Based Learning and are interested in learning more about it. Participants gain actionable strategies and because the Institutes take place in their local region, attendees can network and strengthen relationships with others in the area.”
PBLWorks also offers an annual PBL World conference that provides educators, administrators and instructional leaders with a comprehensive, deep-dive into Project Based Learning to help participants take their practice to the next level. It created the PBL Institutes as an alternative option for educators new to PBL for whom travel can be a barrier and for those who want a smaller, more regional PBL professional development experience.
The PBL Institutes provide:
- The opportunity to experience PBL as a student. Participants will step into the learner stance, engaging in the same rich, inquiry-driven experiences that they will eventually create for their students.
- Collaboration with local educators. Participants will network with peers facing similar challenges and opportunities in their region.
- Actionable takeaways. Participants will walk away with ready-to-use tools and strategies to bring PBL to life in their classrooms.
To learn more about the PBL Institutes or to apply for an upcoming Institute, visit https://www.pblworks.org/pbl-institutes
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 high-quality Project Based Learning, and on supporting school and system leaders in creating the conditions for these teachers to succeed with all students.
Subscribe to edCircuit to stay up to date on all of our shows, podcasts, news, and thought leadership articles.
