Established in 1987, the Buck Institute for Education, operating under the brand name PBLWorks, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Novato, California, dedicated to advancing Project-Based Learning (PBL) in K–12 education. In 2019, BIE introduced the brand PBLWorks to better reflect its mission and the practical, hands-on nature of its work. While PBLWorks serves as the public-facing name, the Buck Institute for Education remains the legal entity behind the organization.

PBLWorks primarily serves K–12 educators, including teachers, school leaders, and district administrators. The organization offers professional development, resources, and support to help educators design and facilitate quality project-based learning and to empower school and system leaders to create the conditions necessary for effective PBL. The organization’s mission emphasizes educational equity, advocating "For all students, especially Black and Brown students, to engage in high quality Project Based Learning to deepen their learning and achieve success in college, career, and life."

Annually, PBLWorks supports over 30,000 educators across all 50 U.S. states and internationally.

Examples of Core Offerings

• Professional Development
  • Workshops and training sessions, such as the foundational "PBL 101" workshop, to equip educators with the skills needed for effective PBL.
• Gold Standard PBL Model
  • A research-informed framework outlining essential elements and best practices for high-quality PBL.
• Curriculum Development
  • Creation of culturally responsive PBL curricula, including social studies and civics units for grades 4–12, available as Open Educational Resources (OER).
• Leadership Networks
  • Programs like the PBL School Leader Network, designed to build the capacity of school leaders to support and sustain PBL initiatives.

Resources

https://www.pblworks.org/bie-is-now-pblworks

https://www.pblworks.org/about