Think Forward Institute, Manor New Tech, Austin, TX

Manor New Tech's Think Forward Institute (TFI) is a 4-day intense PBL training institute for Manor ISD, K-12, and for other school districts in Texas and elsewhere. Since the school's launch in 2007, the school's faculty has developed master-level skills in Project-Based Learning and 21st Century Teaching and Learning and now trains teachers districtwide and K-12 from Manor ISD and from across the nation through TFI. Manor New Tech will also send a faculty team to conduct TFI at your own school site anywhere. Manor New Tech is located in Central Texas, just northeast of Austin. To register, contact Steven Zipkes, (512) 278-4875, or Chrysta Carlin, (512) 278-4446.

Manor New Tech is one of the country's most innovative STEM 21st Century schools. I highly recommend TFI to teams from schools that are transforming to 21st Century Teaching and Learning. -- Bob

Project-Based Learning Institute, June 24-27, 2013 at Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis, IN. Video of 2011 PBL Institute. 2012 Project-Based Learning Institute page.

The annual Project-Based Learning Institute from the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) and partners Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and MSD of Wayne Township prepares educators for implementing PBL by immersing them in an authentic PBL environment. Over the course of four days, educators from across the state work together in small content-area groups to develop a project for their classroom. The Institute offers programming for novice, intermediate, and advanced PBL practitioners and administrators in grades K through 16. CELL also conducts "mini" Institutes for some school districts on site at the district. Contact: Lynn L. Lupold, CELL Director of Educational Initiatives, Indianapolis, IN 46227, (317) 791-5702.

PBL World, June 17-21, 2013, and June 23-27, 2014 in Napa, CA

PBL World, from the Buck Institute for Education, brings together nearly 500 educators who understand that Project Based Learning is a key strategy for creating an effective and engaging 21st Century classroom that promotes students’ ability to master the Common Core. Registration opens February 1, 2013.

Highlights from PBL World 2013 video.

PBL World Australia, November 13-15, 2013, Sydney, Australia.

Come to PBL World Australia hosted by Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Parramatta, and presented by the Buck Institute for Education. Facebook Page.

Engage! Learning
See the interactive Texas map on the homepage for all the Texas Districts engaged in the Collaborative Cohort and the trainer-of-trainer model Coaches Academy.

Collaborative Cohort -- With the Collaborative Cohort, campuses or districts with less than 1,000 students are provided the training, coaching, and resources necessary to implement and sustain the Engage! Learning Model (our standards-based approach to Project-Based Learning). Each campus or district participating in the Collaborative Cohort selects a team of teachers and administrators to become the Engage! Certified Designers, Facilitators and Leaders for their campus/district. See here for more information or contact info@engage2learn.org.

Trainer-of-Trainer Coaches Academy -- The Coaches Academy is your solution for building internal capacity with district leaders for implementing the Engage! Learning Model (ELM)–Engage! Learning’s standards-based approach to Project-Based Learning. This service is a trainer-of-trainers model which provides all of the training and resources necessary to implement and sustain the ELM across several campuses or a whole district. See here for more information or contact info@engage2learn.org.

Contact: Shannon Buerk, Chief Learning Officer, 214.938.8254
Twitter: @engage_learning

First Annual PBL Colorado Summer Institute, July 23-26, 2013, Castle Rock, Colorado

The four day institute includes nationally recognized keynote speakers, 3 full days of comprehensive training dedicated to learning the components of PBL, plus a fourth day of breakout sessions to further understanding. Each participant will leave the Institute with a PBL project that is planned using backward design and is ready for classroom implementation. Each day will conclude with IGNITE sessions where participants will have the opportunity to share and learn great ideas for future projects. " The conference is led by the principal and teachers of Sage Canyon Elementary, part of the innovative Douglas County School District. Click here for brochure.

MINDQUEST21

Deeper Learning Summer Institute

Cultivating 21st Century Skills, Deeper Learning Teaching Strategies, and Digital Tools

Napa New Technology High School Center for Excellence

Napa New Tech High’s next Center for Excellence Project-Based Learning Training is scheduled for February 24th through 27th, 2014! Napa New Technology High School, Napa, CA, founded in 1996, is the flagship school of the New Tech Network, which now comprises 130 schools acorss the nation. For more information or to register, contact Peter Abboud at pabboud@newtechhigh.org.

Buck Institute for Education - Core and Systemic PBL implementation Services

BIE conducts PBL Professional Development for K-14 educators throughout the United States and internationally. This professional development occurs in a sustained-support model, meaning we only agree to partner with organizations (districts, counties, ministries of education, states and - in rare instances - individual schools) that are willing to commit energy and resources to a collaboratively crafted multi-year program of face-to-face and virtual support. BIE is based in Novato, CA, but provides PD services nationally and internationally. BIE has a National Faculty of 55 trainers.

Michelle Swanson & Theron Cosgrave, Swanson & Cosgrave, Eugene, OR, and Davis, CA

"In our work with schools, districts, and educational organizations, we often partner with schools and communities to design engaging new small school and pathway programs; develop and deliver customized workshops on topics such as Project-Based Learning, developing teaching teams, and effective assessment; coach teachers and school leaders to improve their student learning results; and design and write documents and tools to help educators learn new skills and organize their work." Click here for descriptions of 1-day, 2-day, and 3-day PBL workshops offered by Swanson and Cosgrave.

Contact: Michelle Swanson, (541) 543-9179; Theron Cosgrave, (530) 753-4477

Thom Markham, San Rafael, CA

Thom Markham was the principal author of BIE's PBL Handbook and is the author of the PBL Design and Coaching Guide.

"Online coaching and consulting is available using the latest meeting and video technologies. I offer low-cost, individually-designed professional development programs in project based learning or school redesign, either in the U.S. or internationally. Please contact me for pricing for your team or school."

News and notes: Read how Districts can start up PBL the right way.

David Stephen, New Vista Designs for Learning, Boston, MA 02130

A founding member of the nationally acclaimed High Tech High network of schools, David offers a range of targeted professional development workshops as well as ongoing technical assistance to schools and school districts nationwide.

PBL Training and Curriculum Design Services: "New Vista workshops model effective inquiry-based teaching and learning practices, including hands-on and project-based activities, performance-based assessments, exhibitions, and individual reflection." For more information about workshops and fees, contact David Stephen. See recent New Vista projects.

Big Picture Learning: www.bigpicture.org • PD Services

Big Picture Learning's mission is to lead vital changes in education, both in the United States and internationally, by generating and sustaining innovative, personalized schools that work in tandem with the real world of the greater community. Big Picture Learning believes that in order to sustain successful schools where authentic and relevant learning takes place, we must continually innovate techniques and test learning tools to make our schools better and more rigorous. Lastly, Big Picture Learning believes that in order to create and influence the schools of the future, we must use the lessons learned through our practice and research to give us added leverage to impact changes in public policy. Browse the site to learn about upcoming events, download podcasts and order materials.

New Tech Network: www.newtechnetwork.org • PD Services

New Tech Network works nationwide with schools, districts and communities to develop innovative public high schools. We provide services and support that enable schools to fundamentally rethink teaching and learning. Our goal is to enable students to gain the knowledge and 21st century skills they need to succeed in life, college and the careers of tomorrow. The New Tech model provides an instructional approach centered on project-based learning, a culture that empowers students and teachers, and integrated technology in the classroom. Our hands-on, multi-year approach gives schools structure and support to ensure long-term success.

Envision Schools: www.envisionschools.org • PD Services

Founded as a charter management organization in 2002, Envision Schools offers an innovative curriculum, instruction, and assessment model specifically designed to enable underserved students to master core academic disciplines and higher order cognitive skills, also known as 21st Century Skills. We employ the best practices of high school design — rigorous college-preparatory curricula, small and personalized learning environments, and a focus on measurable results — and add a truly innovative model that emphasizes project-based learning, development of Deeper Learning skills, integration of arts and technology into core subjects, real-world experience in workplaces, and a uniquely rigorous assessment system.

Edvisions Schools: www.edvisions.com • PD Services

Professional Development on Personalized Learning, Project Based Learning, Advisories, Small Learning Communities, Teacher Professional Practice, Restorative Process, School Finance, Project Foundry, Hope Survey.

Summer Institutes

Expeditionary Learning: www.elschools.org• PD Services

EL partners with schools, districts, and charter boards to open new schools and transform existing schools. EL provides school leaders and teachers with professional development, curriculum planning resources, and new school structures to boost student engagement, character, and achievement.

High Tech High Graduate School of Education (HTH GSE): www.gse.hightechhigh.org• PD Services

The High Tech High Graduate School of Education (HTH GSE) offers a Master of Education degree (M.Ed.) in both Teacher Leadership and School Leadership and a hybrid Leading Schools Program, blending on-line and face-to-face learning. HTH GSE also offers professional development opportunities including HTH GSE Collegial Conversations, Residencies and Institutes and Workshops, as well as our UnBoxed Journal & Speaker Series. Our intensive professional development enables practitioners, school leaders, community partners, and small school advocates to learn about our principles and practices and to network with colleagues. Additional information is available on the Leading Schools Program website, including Program Resources.

Knights of Knowledge: www.knightsofknowledge.com • PD Services

PBL Pioneers David Thornburg, Norma Thornburg, and Sara Armstrong have produced a terrific set of video-based PBL inquiry starters across the curriculum, what some of us call video entry documents for project-based learning. See exemplars at http://knights-of-knowledge.com/projects.html. They provide a workshop to help teachers understand how to launch effective projects. These video starters cover all curriculum areas, but have a special focus on STEM.

1/4/14 -- David Thornburg has just announced that the 50 video-based PBL inquiry starters are now available for free download at:

1. Google Chrome Webstore (using the Chrome browser); or
2. http://knights-of-knowledge.com/chrome/

Educators are advised to engage in high quality PBL training like the KoK workshops to develop quality projects using these starter videos (see note below).

Buck Institute for Education

The Buck Institute of Education's Project Search is now (2012) the best source on the web for project exemplars. It includes projects from numerous PBL sources including ConnectEd, Envision Schools, Expeditionary Learning, High Tech High, West Virginia DOE, and others.

BIE's Project Libraries Page -- Links to online project libraries from the best PBL sources.

BIE PBL Professional Development

Envision Schools: www.envisionschools.org • PD Services

Envision Schools Project Exchange

Expeditionary Learning: www.elschools.org• PD Services

EL is the contractor to NY State for its Common Core Curriculum for grades 3-5 and 6-8. See the www.engageny.org website.

High Tech High Graduate School of Education (HTH GSE): www.gse.hightechhigh.org• PD Services

High Tech High Project Library

PBLU

The PBL Teacher Series will be offered for the third and final time during this pilot starting on January 7, 2013. This will be the last opportunity to take all or any outstanding classes in the PBL Teacher Series, before we take a break and determine when to offer them in the future. PBLU is a project of the the Buck Institute for Education.

DIY Professional Development: Resource Roundup from Edutopia

Why wait for a formal workshop environment to start improving your teaching craft, when there are so many opportunities to build your network and learn new skills on your own? Edutopia staff have compiled a list of the best resources for do-it-yourself PD to get you started.