PBL World, now in its 14th year, is the premier annual event for Project Based Learning. This one-of-a-kind experience immerses you in the transformative power of PBL while connecting you with an inspiring global community of like-minded educators. Mark your calendar: PBL World 2025 takes place June 23–26, with a one-day pre-conference workshop on June 23. This year’s theme, "Igniting Hope Through PBL," sets the tone for celebrating learning, connection, and inspiration.
Five of many reasons to attend:
Engage in High-Quality Professional Learning
High-quality professional learning is at the core of what we do at PBL World. Our three-day workshops are designed to deepen educators' understanding of Project Based Learning while empowering individuals or entire teams—teachers, instructional coaches, and school leaders—to collaborate and create impactful learning experiences for their students.
This year, we’re offering PBL 201: Learner-Centered Assessment, a new three-day signature workshop designed for advanced practitioners looking to enhance their assessment practices in Project Based Learning. You'll deepen your expertise by identifying success criteria, designing performance assessments, and developing rubrics aligned with key learning goals and success skills.
Through extensive collaboration, teachers, coaches, and school leaders gain the tools, strategies, and confidence to make lasting changes in their classrooms and schools. At PBL World, we’re committed to building strong, connected PBL partnerships that inspire deeper, high-quality learning in their classrooms and schools.
For the Second Year: PBL Teach Workshops for Middle School Teachers.
This year, we’re excited to continue to offer our PBL Teach curriculum workshops specifically tailored for social studies, science, math, and ELA middle school educators! You’ll be able to work with fully designed project-based curriculum units that you can implement in your classroom immediately. You’ll dive into practical, hands-on sessions designed to deepen your PBL practice. With updated materials and tools, these workshops will help you bring Project Based Learning to life in your specific subject area.
“As a result of the PBL 101 workshop experience, I’ve integrated more opportunities for collaboration, drawing from my firsthand experience as a participant. Now, being able to witness my students actively participating in giving and receiving feedback has been so impressive, surpassing all my initial expectations."
Early Childhood Educators, We’ve Been Listening—And We Have Something for You!
Our Pre-Conference workshops offer something special for everyone! Choose from two engaging one-day workshops: Project Slices: Immerse yourself in a Project Based Learning (PBL) experience, stepping into the shoes of a learner to explore how PBL works in action. SEL in PBL: Dive into strategies for integrating social-emotional learning into your PBL practice, creating deeper connections and enhancing student outcomes.
🎉 NEW Pre-Conference Workshop!
Step into the shoes of PK-Grade 2 young learners with a one-day Project Based Learning (PBL) experience tailored for early childhood educators. In this immersive “Project Slice,” you’ll dive into the driving question: “How can we make stories come alive?”
Collaborate with fellow educators to create engaging productions of beloved fairy tales, culminating in a creative Storytime Channel that celebrates teamwork, storytelling, and imagination.
Teachers who have participated in this workshop have shared their "change in thinking"...
“I now believe we can expand pre-K learning beyond just a single activity or lesson. It can involve a broader range of experiences and engage more than just the children, including building connections within the community."
Be Inspired by an Exceptional Keynote
Year after year, we bring inspiring keynote speakers to PBL World, and this year is no exception! Dr. Christopher Emdin, a dynamic educator, bestselling author, and advocate for educational equity, will be our keynote speaker for PBL World 2025. Dr. Emdin serves as the Maxine Greene Chair for Distinguished Contributions to Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, and is the creator of the HipHopEd movement, which uses hip-hop culture to celebrate students’ identities, cultures, and voices.Dr. Emdin’s work challenges educators to transform classrooms into spaces that empower and uplift every student. Known for his compelling message at PBL World 2020, where he called PBL “a pedagogy for emancipation,” Dr. Emdin will inspire this year’s audience with insights into how PBL can ignite hope and foster more equitable and inclusive classrooms.
Connect with Educators Worldwide & Experience the Beauty of Napa Valley
PBL World offers the rare opportunity to connect with a vibrant, global network of educators from dozens of U.S. states and several countries around the world. One participant shared, “What made it truly special was hearing educators' journeys from around the country and even the world. It's like taking a cross-country road trip without leaving your seat. You get insights into what's happening in other states, how they structure their school year, and most importantly, how each classroom, school, and educator brings their unique spin to PBL”
Set against Napa Valley’s breathtaking landscapes, the conference provides the perfect blend of professional development and relaxation.
Whether you’re hiking the trails or savoring the renowned local cuisine, Napa’s charm enhances the experience. As one attendee highlighted, "Napa’s charm added to the experience. After sessions, we connected with other participants over shared meals and stories—something that felt uniquely possible in this setting."
PBL World 2025: Join us at American Canyon High School in Napa Valley from June 23-26, 2025, to begin or continue your PBL journey with four days of transformative professional development. For more information, visit pblworks.org/pbl-world.
✉️ If you attended PBL World and it has impacted your teaching in transformative ways, reach out to Natalie at [email protected]. Your experience might be someone else's valuable inspiration. Join us in sharing the transformative power of PBL on teaching and learning—we can't wait to hear about your PBL journey!