PBLWorks celebrates the individuals and teams who impact and expand the work of Project Based Learning in education.
Novato, CA (August 3, 2023) – The Buck Institute for Education (dba PBLWorks), a national provider of professional development for Gold Standard Project Based Learning (PBL), today announces a record turnout — over 1,500 educators — for its sold-out annual signature event, PBL World 2023. Held from June 26–30 at American Canyon High School in southern Napa
County, CA, the event hosted more than 600 educators for the pre-conference workshops. That number increased to 1,550 (with a substantial wait list) for the workshops over the rest of the week.
“Every year, we have the opportunity to bring together educators from across the nation and world to support teachers, instructional coaches, and school and district leaders in reflecting on their practice and making plans to implement Gold Standard Project Based Learning. It was heartening to see so many participants connecting, collaborating, and creating PBL plans for the 2023/2024 school year,” comments Bob Lenz, CEO, PBLWorks.
PBL World is an increasingly popular event for K-12 teachers, instructional coaches, and school and district leaders seeking to transform students' lives using Gold Standard Project Based Learning. Sponsored by 21stCentEd, Toddle, EIM Technology, and PCS Edventures, the 2023 Conference theme was “Sharing our Stories: Changing the Narrative through Gold Standard PBL.” Inspirational keynote speaker Kentucky Commissioner of Education Dr. Jason E. Glass and a student panel from ARISE High School in Oakland, CA, led by their teacher Trevor Gardner, spoke to this theme.
A highlight at the annual event is the recognition of PBL Champions, a celebration of individuals and organizations who impact and expand the work of Project Based Learning in education.
The 2023 PBL Champions include:
●Individual PBL Champion
○ Cynthia Rothdeutsch, Principal of Kamali‘i Elementary School in Maui, Hawaii
● School PBL Champion
○ Mary M. Walsh Elementary School in Springfield, Massachusetts
● District PBL Champion
○ Clark County School District in Las Vegas, Nevada
● State PBL Champion (first ever)
○ Dr. Jason E. Glass, Kentucky Commissioner of Education
At the event, PBLWorks also recognized two recipients of the John Larmer Lifelong Learning Award, which acknowledges teachers who have impacted using Project Based Learning for all students. The award winners are:
● Marvin Nacionales, high school English teacher at Valley High School in Sanders, Arizona
● Shannon Ryan, 5th-grade teacher at Lavaland Elementary in Albuquerque, New Mexico. All award recipients were honored during a reception held on June 27, 2023.
For more information about PBL World and the award winners, For more information about PBL World and the award winners, visit https://www.pblworks.org/pbl-world.
About Buck Institute for Education
The Buck Institute for Education (BIE) (dba PBLWorks) is a non-profit organization that believes that all students, especially Black and Brown students, should have access to high-quality Project Based Learning to deepen their learning and to achieve success in college, career, and life.
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