Project based learning (PBL) is a teaching method geared towards elementary, middle, and high school students that fosters the skills for personal, academic, and career success. The Buck Institute for Education has developed a model of the PBL methodology for teachers. PBL allows students to focus on a particular project for an extended period of time, ranging in length from one week to an entire semester. The project engages students in addressing a complex question, problem, or challenge. PBL is comprised of the following Essential Project Design Elements: key knowledge, understanding, and success skills; challenging problem or question; sustained inquiry; authenticity; student voice and choice; reflection; critique and revision; and public product.

Research suggests that PBL yields positive outcomes for students, including deeper learning of academic content and stronger motivation to learn. The Buck Institute PBL method is listed as a SELect program on the CASEL guide.

Implementation of PBL is offered to educators through a training package that includes a three day on-site workshop plus an additional two day coaching visit.