Contact Us
For more information about the Project-Based Learning certificate program, contact us at ProfessionalLearning@gse.upenn.edu
Earn a certificate in project-based learning and engage your students in authentic student-centered inquiry.
The Project-Based Learning certificate program is designed for current educators who strive to create rich, meaningful, and rigorous learning experiences through student-centered approaches to teaching and learning.
What Sets Us Apart
Deep focus on teacher and leader practice
Virtual coaching by expert instructional coaches throughout the school year
Rich, sustained, and advanced professional development
About the Program
The Project-Based Learning certificate program provides an innovative professional learning experience that allows currently practicing educators to leverage the educational expertise of Penn GSE’s faculty and some of the most skilled and experienced student-centered learning practitioners from across the country. The program was developed in collaboration with the Science Leadership Academy, the Workshop School, Inquiry Schools, and EL Education.
Application deadline
- Priority Application Deadline: June 18
- Application Deadline Extended: August 25
Program startSeptember 2023
Program length9 months
Certificate offeredPenn GSE Certificate in Project-Based Learning
Credits12 Continuing Education Credits
ModalityOnline
Cost:
- $2,200 for applications received by June 18
- $3,200 for applications received after June 18
This program has a set of full scholarships reserved for educators in the School District of Philadelphia. If you’re interested in this opportunity, please see the Scholarships section of the program registration form.
20% off program fee available for groups of 5+ from the same organization. Contact ProfessionalLearning@gse.upenn.edu for more information.
Ideal candidates
- Current elementary, middle, or high school teachers
- Instructional coaches
- Department chairs
- Principals
- Other instructional leaders
Overview
The Project-Based Learning certificate program is advanced professional development. The program offers a unique opportunity for educators to delve into the instructional practices that maximize the impact of Project-Based Learning on student learning outcomes. Unlike many other programs that primarily focus on project development, the Project-Based Learning Certificate program is unique in its artifact-based approach to learning about implementation.
Participants of the program are organized into "home teams" consisting of educators who share similar contexts. Expert instructional coaches facilitate home teams. Coaches guide your teams in deepening your understanding of PBL. This collaborative learning model allows for valuable feedback and fosters a strong sense of community among participants. Each home team is led by an experienced coach who facilitates discussions, acts as a point of contact, and provides personalized feedback on participants' shared classroom artifacts.
Participants are expected to collect, analyze, and share artifacts from their classrooms, typically in the form of classroom videos. They will also provide feedback to other participants. Additionally, participants will create a portfolio of their learning at the end of each semester. The program entails approximately 5 hours of monthly commitment, including 1-2 hours of synchronous home team learning. At the end of each semester, participants may need to allocate up to 8 additional hours for completing program-related tasks.
The Project-Based Learning Certificate Program offers a valuable opportunity for educators to enhance their knowledge and skills in implementing project-based learning. By focusing on practical implementation strategies and fostering a supportive community of like-minded professionals, the program aims to empower teachers and school leaders to create meaningful and impactful learning experiences for their students.
Program Format
This program consists of multiple required sessions and one optional summer summit experience. Before and after each session, you will complete a set of readings, activities, and reflections to help you prepare and apply what you have learned.
Home Team facilitators will determine each group’s exact meeting dates and times based on participants’ availability.
| Date | Modality & Duration | Topic |
| September 2023 | One virtual synchronous session; | Home Team kickoff |
September 23 & 30 October 13-14 | Virtual synchronous In-person at the University of Pennsylvania | Virtual Design Sprint In-person Design Sprint |
| October 2023 | Virtual synchronous session; 2-4 hours | Home Team meeting related to Authenticity |
| November 2023 | Virtual synchronous session; 2-4 hours | Home Team meeting related to Disciplinary Learning |
| December 2023 | Virtual synchronous session; 2-4 hours | Home Team meeting related to Disciplinary Learning |
| January 2024 | Virtual synchronous session; 2-4 hours | Home Team meeting related to Collaboration |
| February 2024 | Virtual synchronous session; 2-4 hours | Home Team meeting related to Collaboration |
| March 2024 | Virtual synchronous session; 2-4 hours | Home Team meeting related to Iteration |
| April 2024 | Virtual synchronous session; 2-4 hours | Home Team meeting related to Iteration |
| May 2024 | Virtual synchronous session; | Closing and Celebration |
Our Faculty
Our PBL leadership and instructional team serves across our multiple PBL programs and brings deep experience and expertise in teacher development and student-centered approaches to teaching and learning.
Professional Development Associate and Instructional Math Coach, Center to Support Excellence in Teaching, Stanford University
M.A., Stanford University
STEM Instructor, San Diego Teacher Residency, High Tech High Graduate School of Education
Ed.D., UC San Diego
Co-founder, The Forest School & the Institute for Self-Directed Learning
Ed.L.D., Harvard University
Social Studies Professional Development Specialist, Prince William County Schools
Ed.M., University at Buffalo
Advisory Team
Advisory Team
Pam Grossman
Professor
Ph.D., Stanford University
Christopher Pupik Dean
Senior Fellow
Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Matthew Riggan
Co-Founder, The Workshop School
Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Chris Lehmann
Founding Principal and CEO, Science Leadership Academies
M.A., Columbia University
Sarah Schneider Kavanagh
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., University of Washington
Meg Riordan
Director of External Research & Project Director, Teacher Potential Project, EL Education
Ph.D., New York University
What Our Participants Are Saying
“A rich, in-depth, transformative experience!” – Project-Based Learning program participant
“Amazing! One of the best professional development experiences I’ve ever had. It challenged me, and I was immersed in an experience that provided specific ways for me to take what I’ve learned and implement it immediately.” – Project-Based Learning program participant
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