“Come to the edge,"
he said.
They said, "We are afraid."
"Come to the edge,"
he said.
They came.
He pushed them...and they flew.”

- Guillaume Apollinaire

Client List Highlights

Department of Education, Government of New Brunswick

The Department of Education of the Government of New Brunswick, Canada, announced recent plans to open five Model High Schools in the province for the 2008 - 2009 school year. Working with teachers from the five sites, PBL Associates assisted the Department in PBL methodologies, and model school planning. This effort, to be continued in summer, 2008, and into 2009, will enable teachers to focus on project based learning and 21st century skills as the core elements of the model schools.

North Carolina New Schools Project & STEM Initiative

www.newschoolsproject.org

Backed by an $11 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in August 2003 the Governor's Education Cabinet and the Public School Forum launched a private-public partnership to focus leadership and financial resources on change in the state's high schools. The North Carolina New Schools Project (NCNSP) has awarded grants and provided other support to create 100 new small high schools across the state. The schools will serve as models for academically rigorous curriculum to prepare all students for work and college.

PBL Associates has worked with teachers and principals over the last three years as NCNSP has begun implementation of their vision for North Carolina. In addition to preparing teachers in PBL methodology, in spring, 2007, PBL Associates will begin a three year partnership with NCNSP to open and support 10 STEM initiative small high schools across the state.

Buck Institute for Education

www.bie.org

The Buck Institute for Education offers a variety of on-site project based learning workshops designed for small high schools. Workshops to introduce PBL concepts and methodology may be scheduled for 1 - 2 days. More intensive coaching in PBL is also available. During the last four years, PBL Associates has designed and led over 40 BIE workshops. We continue to serve as trainers and consultants for BIE training during 2007.

Academy for Educational Development

www.aed.org

Founded in 1961, AED is an independent, nonprofit organization located in Washington, D.C., committed to solving critical social problems and building the capacity of individuals, communities, and institutions to become more self-sufficient. AED works in all the major areas of human development, with a focus on improving education, health, and economic opportunities for the least advantaged in the United States and developing countries throughout the world.

In summer, 2006, PBL Associates worked with AED Global Technology Projects staff to offer PBL training to teachers in Amman, Jordan. We had the good fortune of working with about 50 teachers as they created projects over a period of 5 days, and met with the Minister of Education to discuss policies that would encourage increased adoption of Project Based Learning throughout Jordan.

Oracle Educational Foundation

www.thinkquestlive.org

ThinkQuest Live is an annual event sponsored by the Oracle Education Foundation honoring winning teams from a world-wide web development competition. Winning teams, including students and coaches, convene annually in San Francisco.

In October 2006, Thom Markahm and PBL Associates facilitated the four day ThinkQuest Live event, including the opening day activities, a showcase of projects, and workshops in PBL, web design, and leadership.