San Rafael, CA (January 12, 2026)
PBL World conference attendees are in for a treat with Scott Shigeoka, an acclaimed author, TED speaker, and internationally recognized curiosity expert, as this year’s keynote speaker. The conference will take place June 16-18, 2026 at the American Canyon High School, part of the Napa Valley Unified School District in California.
This year’s conference theme “When Curiosity Leads, Learning Lasts” celebrates the role of curiosity as the driving force behind deep, joyful, and long-lasting learning experiences for both students and educators.
“Curiosity is at the heart of Project Based Learning, which is why we made it the focus of this year’s conference,” said PBLWorks CEO Bob Lenz. “PBL invites students to ask meaningful questions, explore real-world challenges, and engage in sustained inquiry that leads to deeper understanding and lasting learning.”
Scott Shigeoka is an internationally recognized curiosity expert, TED speaker, and the award-winning author of Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World. His work focuses on how to strengthen well-being and relationships. He is the Bridging Differences Fellow for UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center and serves as the Head of Curiosity Cultivation at the Eames Institute. He is also a playwright and artist. Shigeoka’s work positions curiosity as a catalyst for connection, understanding, and growth — including as a way to examine bias, navigate difference, and strengthen communities. This mirrors how PBL empowers learners to pursue questions that matter, collaborate across perspectives, and apply their learning beyond the classroom.
“Scott Shigeoka is known around the world for his passion and expertise in the transformative power of curiosity,” Lenz said. “We invite all educators who are seeking to spark curiosity through Project Based Learning to join us in Napa Valley this summer.”
About PBLWorks
The Buck Institute for Education/PBLWorks believes that all students, especially Black and Brown students, should have access to high-quality Project Based Learning to deepen their learning and achieve success in college, career, and life. Its focus is on building the capacity of teachers to design and facilitate high-quality Project Based Learning, and on supporting school and system leaders in creating the conditions for these teachers to succeed with all students.
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