The event marks the 15-year anniversary of PBLWorks’ signature professional development conference for Project Based Learning
Novato, CA (November 3, 2025) – The Buck Institute for Education (dba PBLWorks), a national provider of curriculum and professional development for high-quality Project Based Learning (PBL), announces its 15th PBL World Conference, being held June 16-18, 2026 in Napa Valley, California.
The 2026 PBL World conference will take place at American Canyon High School in American Canyon, California, part of the Napa Valley Unified School District. To register, visit https://www.pblworks.org/pbl-world.
PBL World is dedicated to advancing high-quality Project Based Learning for all students. It draws educators and administrators from around the world to learn, connect, and be inspired by the power of PBL to transform teaching and learning. The conference is open to anyone teaching and leading in public K-12, charter, private, parochial and higher education.
2026 will mark PBL World’s 15th year and centers on the theme “When Curiosity Leads, Learning Lasts,” celebrating the role of curiosity as the driving force behind deep, joyful, and lasting learning experiences for both students and educators.
“As we celebrate the 15th year of PBL World, we’re reminded that curiosity is the heartbeat of great teaching and learning. When educators design experiences that spark curiosity, they ignite a lifelong love of learning, and that’s at the core of Gold Standard Project Based Learning. It’s what makes learning last,” said PBLWorks CEO Bob Lenz. “PBL World is where educators come together to learn, connect and celebrate the power of Gold Standard PBL to ignite curiosity and keep learning alive.”
Highlights of PBL World 2026 include:
- A pre-conference on June 15, 2026 offering a full day of immersive workshops for educators ready to deepen their PBL practice
- A keynote address from a national education leader
- A student panel, where students share firsthand how Project Based Learning has shaped their learning and their lives.
- New for 2026 — The Curiosity Zone, a self-paced area for participants to explore a wide range of Project Based Learning questions, widening the scope of their learning experience
- Three-day workshops led by PBLWorks National Faculty, expert PBL practitioners and facilitators
- New for 2026 — PBL TEACH Deep Dive – Elementary and Secondary allows participants to examine PBL practices through the lens of the new K-5 and 9-12 TEACH project units
- Networking events and community celebrations, including a celebration of the 2026 PBL Champion Award and John Larmer “JL” Lifelong Learning Award recipients
Registration is $1,400 for the main conference and $300 for the pre-conference. An early-bird discount of $100 is available for the main conference for those who register by December 31, 2025.
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.