A School Network, created for Massachusetts PBL leaders

a grid of school leaders' faces with an open space that says 'we're holding a spot for you!'

 

Setting out into the unknown? You’re not on your own.

The journey from traditional instruction to PBL can often feel like a winding, uncertain path. You may find yourself wondering how you’re actually going to implement and sustain high quality PBL in your school. Or how you’ll fit PBL in with what your school is already doing. And what about your teachers? What’s the best way to support them through this transition so that all of their students can benefit?

Instead of blazing this trail by yourself, imagine traveling with a group of your peers—from within your school and throughout your region. Our Massachusetts School Leader Network (MA SLN) is designed to help school leaders create the ideal conditions for PBL to thrive in their school, and to train teachers to implement high quality projects to accelerate and deepen learning.

Learn more about the benefits of networks.

 

An Exclusive Opportunity for Massachusetts Educators

Join us for a series of free, interactive webinars open to all Massachusetts educators True to PBLWorks’ style, these are not sit and get opportunities! Join us to learn and engage with fellow practitioners from across the state who are bringing PBL to their schools and classrooms. The series begins on September 20th and runs through November 3. One highlight is an in-person all-day Project Slice Workshop on October 27th in Worcester.

 

Beyond the Research Paper: Authentic Products that Allow Students to Show What They Know

When: September 20th from 3:00-4:15 pm
Overview: Tired of the same old research paper your students write to demonstrate what they’ve learned? Great news - there are plenty of other, more authentic ways to support students in showing what they know and can do as it relates to academic and 21st c. learning goals. The new PBLWorks Product Toolkits provide step-by-step support to you as you scaffold student development of products such as podcasts, infographics, or museum exhibits. Join us to explore these brand-new resources and engage with other MA teachers to discuss how to use them in your classrooms right away!
Registration: https://forms.gle/EWuzhcynmKGU9QK76

 

Tried & True Strategies for PBL Success

When: Tuesday, October 4th from 3:00-4:15 pm
Overview: Every great PBL teacher has a grab bag full of well-tested instructional strategies-- join this webinar to add to yours! In this session, we’ll share practices for managing critique processes, creating project walls, organizing teams, and other helpful Project Based Learning practices. You’ll leave with some new ideas to try, as well as access to 18 free PBLWorks Strategy Guides that you can reference for just-in-time support as you lead projects in the classroom. Come connect with other Massachusetts educators and build your repertoire of PBL teaching tips!
Registration: https://forms.gle/9iDG94ttRHNNt1zW6

 

PBL for Leaders - MA School Leader Network

When: Tuesday, October 25th from 3:00-4:15 pm
Overview: Gold Standard PBL has met its moment. As we welcome students back to school after a year like no other, leaders will need to have an intentional focus on re-establishing a culture of high expectations and relationships to promote academic success for all students. Join us to learn how PBLWorks has designed an approach to school and leadership partnership that is benefitting leaders across the country as they work to create a more equitable, student centered culture for teaching and learning in their schools. We’ll share exciting research on the impact of PBL on student learning and insights around how to get started with PBL in your school as part of the Massachusetts School Leader Network (SLN). Best of all you will hear from MA school leaders already engaged in this exciting work!
Registration: https://forms.gle/VQ3jkbwYZyrcYpCMA

 

Project Slice: Sustainable Future (In-Person!)

When: Thursday, October 27th from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm
Location: College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA
Overview: A Project Slice demonstrates what it’s like to be a learner in Project-Based Learning, by engaging participants in an immersive PBL experience—a “slice” of a project. The driving question for this Project Slice workshop is “How do we manage shared resources for a sustainable future?” Teams explore and apply economic and environmental science theories related to the “commons.” They create case study presentations focused on local and global situations in which the needs of individuals come into conflict with the needs of the collective, and present possible solutions to these challenges.
 

Registration: https://forms.gle/rKHu334Pkz4dcKwo9

STEM Week Challenge: The Future of Work <

When: Thursday, November 3rd from 3:00-4:30 pm
Overview: The Future of Work was created by PBLWorks for middle school and high school students and educators as part of the 2022 STEM Week Challenge, brought to you by the One8 Foundation and its program Mass STEM Hub. The STEM Week Challenge is a high-quality, meaningful K-12 applied project-based learning experience for Mass STEM Week – with added emphasis on flexibility to meet educators and students where they are. Students will have the opportunity to investigate in-demand careers and dialogue with industry experts.
Registration: https://forms.gle/KGGJqhZZZDuCJGxg8

MA SLN

 

This PBL School Leader Network includes schools across the state of Massachusetts. It is a two-year program that provides the deep levels of professional development and support that schools need – through a blend of online and face-to-face workshops, virtual coaching, and a peer network of local PBL leaders.

 

Current network schools include:

COHORT 1

Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School - Boston

Barnstable Intermediate School - Barnstable

Bellingham High School – Bellingham

Carver Middle High School – Carver

Galvin Middle School – Canton

KIPP Massachusetts – Boston and Lynn

Mary Walsh School - Springfield

Medway High School – Medway

Saugus Middle High School – Saugus

Wildwood Elementary School - Amherst

COHORT 2

Boston Collegiate Charter School - Boston

Greater Lowell Technical High School - Tyngsborough

Ivy Street School - Brookline

Milton Bradley Elementary School - Springfield

Miscoe Hill Middle School - Mendon

Norton High School - Norton

Waltham High School - Waltham

Woburn Memorial High School - Woburn

Request an application

 

Who should apply?

School leaders from K-12 schools looking to gain the skills and knowledge for successful and sustainable implementation of PBL, and deeper and long-lasting learning for their students.
 

What’s the timeline?

  • August 26, 2022: Applications open for MA School Leader Network Cohort 3
  • November 4, 2022: Letter of Intent Due (highly recommended)
  • December 15, 2022 5:00pm ET: Due date for applications
  • February 10, 2023: Notification of school acceptance
  • March 2023: Leader Launch workshop

 

What are the selection criteria?

We welcome school leaders interested in developing the knowledge, skills, and strategies for leading high quality Project Based Learning (PBL) at their schools. We welcome schools who are just starting their PBL journey, as well as those who are already on their way and want to go deeper.

  • School leaders should be committed to completing the entire MA SLN experience beginning in February 2023 through June 2025.
  • Preference will be given to applicants in schools serving high percentages of Black and Brown students and students eligible for free or reduced lunch.

 

What does it cost?

With the generous support of the One8 Foundation, over 40% of the participation fee will be covered for the cohort of 8-10 schools in Massachusetts. To learn more, complete the form below to connect with Brian Murphy, our Regional Director of Educational Partnerships in Massachusetts.

Let's get started

5 Reasons why we think you should apply

Request More Information & Get the Application Guide

Ready to learn more? Complete the form below, and we’ll send you the Application Guide.