Institute on PBL Alumni Share their Success Stories
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Project-Based Learning Webinar Series
Reinventing courses, programs, and institutions. >>
Custom Onsite Workshops
Our project-based learning experts come to you to address your specific needs >>
Project-Based Learning at WPI
From Theory to Practice to Impact. Project work pays off. >>
The Center for Project-Based Learning, launched in 2016, leverages over 50 years of WPI’s experience and expertise in project-based learning to support faculty and administrators from colleges and universities around the world in their efforts to implement, improve, evaluate, or integrate project-based learning on their campuses. The Center also supports the continued development of expertise and excellence in project-based pedagogy on the WPI campus. Our offerings include an annual Institute on Project-Based Learning, custom workshops and seminars, consultations, and project-based learning resources. See moreThe Mission of the Center is to support and coach higher education institutions and practitioners committed to driving equitable, sustainable, and systemic pedagogical, curricular and cultural reform, through project-based learning (PBL). The Center prepares institutions and educators to offer diverse student bodies multiple, culturally-relevant, project-based learning (PBL) experiences. The Center serves as the hub for PBL in higher education by developing, curating and sharing best practices that advance active, student-centered education for a just, equitable, and inclusive society.
Center Impact Report When the Center started, we were unsure what the appetite would be for learning more about project-based learning. We’ve been delighted that so many faculty and institutions have asked us to join them on their PBL journey. In the spring of 2023 we undertook a review of our operations the past 5 years and are happy to share the report with you. We owe thanks to so many of you and look forward to working with many more of you in the future.
PBL Newsletter Looking for the latest news, resources and tools to implement project-based learning on your campus? Turn to our quarterly AdvancePBL Newsletter.
NEW: Changes to the Institute on Project-Based Learning
In addition to our traditional team-based approach, we now will support individuals looking to advance their use of PBL. We welcome PBL beginners and long-time practitioners to join us in a fun and informative learning experience. You will receive supportive coaching and enjoy opportunities to learn from each other as well as from the expert facilitators and speakers. Learn more here
This year, we are also introducing a special track of workshops dedicated to developing critical GenAI literacy. The workshops will cover some basics of how generative AI systems work, while centering the ethical, social, environmental, and pedagogical issues involved. We view projects as an effective way to introduce students to the complex challenges they encounter when using GenAI, and we hope you will join us in exploring project-based learning in the age of AI!
Kris Wobbe, director of the Center for Project-Based Learning, was the featured guest on a recent episode of the TechEd Podcast, which explores innovative STEM education approaches to prepare students for the modern workforce. During the episode, Wobbe highlighted some of the many ways that project-based learning helps students become more actively engaged in their education. “It’s one thing to be told, ‘I need to know something,’” she says. “It’s another thing to be confronted with ‘I need to find something out to be able to do the thing I need to do.’ That’s immediately more motivating.” Listen to the full episode here.
Faculty Fellowship Program Supports PBL Practice
The hands-on nature of project-based learning (PBL) is a big part of why it repeatedly proves to be an effective pedagogical method for student growth and skill building: Students are able to apply skills and concepts from the classroom to real problems, leading to real-world experience and impact. But students aren’t the only ones who benefit from this kind of active-learning approach. Read More
