August 27, 2022

Bezos Family Foundation Grant to PBLWorks: $2.9 Million

T The Bezos Family Foundation awarded the Buck Institute for Education (dba PBLWorks) a $2.9 million grant to develop an innovative social studies and civics curriculum based on the Project-Based Learning (PBL) model. The new PBL units are being created for teachers in grades 4–12 and will be freely available as Open Educational Resources (OER). The curriculum units are being developed in collaboration with teachers in Colorado and California, as well as experts in culturally responsive teaching and a curriculum design team at the Buck Institute for Education (BIE).

New PBL units are based on recent studies published and supported by Lucas Education Research (LER), a division of the George Lucas Education Foundation (GLEF), that illustrate the impact of PBL, professional development, and high-quality instructional materials on student outcomes across grade levels, racial/ethnic groups, and socioeconomic groups.

The project draws on recent studies published and supported by Lucas Education Research (LER), a subdivision of the George Lucas Education Foundation (GLEF), which underscore the impact that PBL, professional development, and high-quality instructional materials can have on student outcomes across grade levels, racial/ethnic groups, and socioeconomic groups.

…offering high-quality and ready-made PBL-based curricula to educators at no charge will increase the likelihood that teachers implement high quality projects, and increase impact for all students…

Furthermore, to the work being done through the Bezos Family Foundation grant, BIE is collaborating with the Kentucky Department of Education to design culturally responsive K-12 science/STEM units.

“Offering high-quality and ready-made PBL-based curricula to educators at no charge will increase the likelihood that teachers implement high quality projects, and increase impact for all students,” Kathleen Schwille, executive director of PBLNow, stated "PBLNow curriculum units will work in tandem with PBLWorks professional learning services to help teachers, schools, and districts implement high-quality PBL experiences." she added.

Bob Lenz, chief executive officer of PBLWorks also spoke about the new project with great hope, he stated, “The support provided by the Bezos Family Foundation offers an opportunity for teachers in schools and districts across the United States and world to engage all students, especially Black and Brown students, in deeper learning to achieve success in college, career, and life.”

Posted in News and tagged News, Bezos Family Foundation, Buck Institute for Education, PBLWorks, Project-Based Learning (PBL) Model, Open Educational Resources
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