Let’s build a sustainable project-based culture at your school

Get started by registering your enthusiastic 3rd-5th grade teachers and give them access to curriculum, coaching, courses, convenings, and a community of practice to accelerate their journey as project-based educators.

Our professional development program guides teachers through the STEPS (support, tools, education, plan & self-reflection) necessary to become high-impact project-based educators. Teachers learn how to transition students from being passive learners in their classrooms to being change agents in their schools and communities through real-world project-based learning experiences.

If you are ready to launch project-based learning at your school site or within your district and seek a research-based professional learning experience, join our network.

OVERVIEW

A Glimpse Inside Our Network

Our comprehensive approach strengthens the capacity of project-based educators by providing curriculum, coaching, courses, convenings, and a community of practice so teachers can foster the next generation of problem solvers, critical thinkers, and change makers. When teachers become a member of the Impactful PBL™ Network, here’s what they can expect:

the Convening

Teachers begin their professional learning experience with our summer convening. On the first day, teachers engage in workshops to guide them through utilizing our planning framework, the Impactful PBL™ Roadmap, and curriculum resources to personalize a project-based learning experience aligned with their students' social, emotional, and academic needs. 

On the second day, teachers focus on building a culture of collaborative problem-solving around typical challenges project-based educators may face when scaling their impact in classrooms and beyond. By the end of the convening, teachers have a ready-to-facilitate project-based learning unit and actionable next steps for contributing to a thriving professional learning cohort throughout the school year.

the Curriculum

Teachers can access turnkey research-based instructional resources, enabling them to teach STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) standards via PBL, even with limited time and materials.


The Impactful PBL™ Curriculum includes:

  • Lesson agendas 

  • Lesson slide decks with facilitation notes for teacher-guided instruction

  • Video-based lessons for self-guided instruction

  • Student field guide to document learning

  • Explorative learning activities that build students' reading, writing, researching, sorting, brainstorming, and communication skills

  • Formative assessments to monitor students' progress

  • Parent newsletter to offer tips, resources, and ideas to support their child's learning at home

the Community of Practice

Teachers can connect, collaborate, and learn with other project-based teachers inside a private community platform with the goal of enhancing their instructional skills through monthly expeditions.

Each expedition includes:

Co-planning sessions where teachers can ask questions, share ideas, and receive feedback

Skill-building webinars focused on fostering students' intellectual curiosity

Small group problem of practice discussions where teachers can share a challenge and seek guidance

Portfolio-building moments where teachers share classroom artifacts to show a shift in their teaching and student learning

  • WHAT OUR COMMUNITY IS SAYING

    The project-based learning experiences were so rich and enjoyable for the kids. Many kids included their PBL product in their portfolio because they were so proud of their work. It was easily the highest level of work they did and I think this was because it was purposeful and authentic.

    —Mr. Dresser (Elementary teacher)

  • WHAT OUR COMMUNITY IS SAYING

    I enjoyed having added time to work with my grade-level team to plan this project. I also enjoyed the multimedia approach we took. When the kids learned their final project would be a movie, they were so excited and remained engaged the entire time because at the end of each week we did a reflection for the movie.

    —Mrs. Saintil (Elementary teacher)

  • WHAT OUR COMMUNITY IS SAYING

    I cannot say thank you enough! Your course has been the most well-planned, effective, and impactful I have attended recently. I feel very confident to bring this PBL plan to my team and support them effectively. You've also taught me a lot as a coach. I have taken away many strategies and practices to make my overall work with teachers more effective.

    —Ms. Banks (Instructional Coach)

  • WHAT OUR COMMUNITY IS SAYING

    I like how easy it was to use the roadmap while developing my plan. I like the interactive student-friendly activities (gallery walks, timelines, reflections, etc.) I can use with students to develop a sense of pride and inclusion. I tend to be the Queen of the Classroom, dictating rather than allowing too much discussion (loss of control opportunities). PBL is a way I can have control while still giving my students the freedom to express themselves and share their ideas.

    —Ms. Ortiz (Elementary teacher)

  • WHAT OUR COMMUNITY IS SAYING

    This PBL training has allowed me to add more tools as an educator and peer leader to my toolbox. PBL has been positive for school culture. It also has allowed special area teachers to collaborate with grade-level teachers to supplement instruction.

    —Mrs. Erb (PBL Teacher Leader)

  • WHAT OUR COMMUNITY IS SAYING

    As a result of this training, I seek more student input. I have seen more confidence and creativity in my students than without PBL. It has also increased collaboration between the special area team and general classroom teachers.

    —Mr. Comella (Elementary teacher)

the Course

Teachers can access our foundational course, where they learn how to utilize the nine phases of the Impactful PBL Roadmap to customize a project-based learning unit plan unique to their student's interests and needs.

The Impactful PBL™ Roadmap Course includes:     

  • Module 1: Identifying students’ learning goals

  • Module 2: Mapping the project scenario and driving question

  • Module 3: Planning students’ assessments

  • Module 4: Attracting students' attention

  • Module 5: Creating daily learning experiences

  • Module 6: Tracking students’ progress

  • Module 7: Finalizing students’ showcase agenda

  • Module 8: Uniting students and building a collaborative culture

  • Module 9: Leading students through the reflection process

the Coaching

Each grade-level team has access to a virtual PBL mentor who will play a pivotal role in guiding and supporting them on their journey to becoming proficient project-based educators. 

Mentoring support includes:

01.

Personalized feedback on instructional plans documented in teachers' learning journals to track professional growth

02.

Just-in-time support via chat or private messaging capabilities in our online learning portal

03.

Monthly webinars to explore instructional practices and anecdotal evidence of what's working in classrooms

Are you ready to launch a PBL initiative at your school or within your district and seeking a research-based professional development experience for your teachers?

Frequently Asked Questions

  • This professional learning experience is great for 3rd- 5th grade aspiring project-based educators who prefer to learn in a guided, semi-structured format and want access to an online community of peers and a virtual mentor for ongoing support and feedback.

  • We support 3rd-5th grade North Carolina teachers.

  • Level 1 support is a professional learning experience that includes curriculum, courses, and a community of practice for 3rd- 5th grade teachers. Level 2 support is a professional learning experience that includes curriculum, courses, a community of practice, plus a convening (two-day in-person workshop) for 3rd- 5th grade teachers. Level 3 support is a professional learning experience that includes curriculum, courses, a community of practice, convening, plus coaching for 3rd- 5th grade teachers.

  • The current membership fee is $9,000 for Level 1 support, $18,000 for Level 2 support, and $22,500 for Level 3 support. Pricing includes membership for nine teachers. Review the previous question for details about the support teachers receive with each membership level.