AP Project Based Learning Series
Summer 2025 registration will open this winter. Check back in early 2025 to register.
The AP Project Based Learning Series helps teachers implement an engaging and student-centered project based instructional approach in their classrooms.
It also provides teachers with an overview of course and exam descriptions and teaches them how to use an inquiry-based, project-driven instructional approach to help students achieve the course learning objectives. The projects help drive student learning of the content and skills outlined in the AP course framework.
This series is available in the following AP courses: Environmental Science, Human Geography, Statistics, U.S. Government and Politics, and World History: Modern.
About Project Based Learning
In project based learning (PBL), students build knowledge and skills through sustained investigation of complex, real-world problems. Since it’s often a shift from traditional teaching methods, PBL resources include project implementation guides, instructional materials, and robust professional learning supports. These resources help students acquire and apply AP course content and skills through active engagement in project work.
Research shows that this approach can significantly improve student performance on AP Exams. A randomized controlled trial that compared AP Exam performance of students whose teachers used PBL curriculum and professional learning to a control group showed that PBL students achieved better results on AP Exams. Read the detailed summary of these findings from Lucas Education Research, a division of the George Lucas Educational Foundation:
- Project Based Learning Boosts Student Achievement in AP Courses
- High-Quality Professional Learning for Project-Based Learning
Why Participate in the AP Project Based Learning Series?
The AP Project Based Learning Series is ideal for teachers who are new to PBL as well as teachers with PBL experience. During the AP Summer Institute, teachers learn about the elements of high-quality project based learning within their AP course. They’ll also continue building on their understanding of PBL through project implementation and support sessions throughout the school year.
Workshops in the AP Project Based Learning Series are designed and delivered in collaboration with PBLWorks, the premier organization in PBL teaching methodology. They’ll help teachers:
- Identify how AP content and skills are developed within and across the course projects.
- Apply high-quality PBL design elements and teaching practices.
- Simulate and model PBL practices using examples from the course projects.
- Adapt the projects and prepare to implement them with their students.
The projects align to the current course and exam descriptions. Each project’s implementation guide includes a table with the AP content knowledge and skills intended to be developed in the project. In addition, the project implementation guide includes AP Classroom resources, such as AP Daily videos, topic questions, and AP free-response questions along with suggestions for their use within each project cycle.
What’s Included in the AP Project Based Learning Series
Like other research-based workshops that are shown to improve student performance, the AP Project Based Learning Series requires ongoing professional learning throughout the school year.
The $799 online or $1299 in-person registration fee includes:
- 4 days of online or in-person professional learning during the AP Summer Institute (30 hours), including access to project implementation guides and instructional materials.
- Up to 5 online, 90-minute sustained support sessions during the school year (timed with the expected completion dates of each project). Teachers will be able to choose from several dates and times for each of these sessions.
Accordingly, participants receive more continuing education units (CEUs) than participants who attend a standard AP Summer Institute. College Board offers grants for qualifying teachers new to an AP subject to attend an AP Summer Institute. Learn more about AP participant grants.
FAQ
What’s the difference between a regular AP Summer Institute and the AP Project Based Learning Series?
The AP Program supports a teacher’s choice in selecting the professional learning experience best suited for them. Both professional learning opportunities offer in-depth exploration of the AP course and exam description.
The AP Project Based Learning Series is a one-year highly interactive and ongoing professional development experience. This program includes a 30-hour Summer Institute and follow-up workshops focused on implementing a project based approach to teaching the AP course.
Traditional AP Summer Institutes are 30 hours of content-rich professional learning designed to strengthen how participants teach their AP courses. Participants leave with ready-to-use strategies and pedagogical tools shared by an experienced AP educator and explore the following AP resources in depth: unit guides, topic questions, progress checks, the AP Question Bank, instructional planning reports, syllabus development guides, sample syllabi, and the AP Community.
How can I commit to the AP Project Based Learning Series without yet knowing the dates for the follow-up sessions during the academic year?
Research shows that ongoing, job-embedded professional learning is necessary for improving student learning. To make it easier for teachers to attend, the online support sessions for each project cycle will be held on various dates, allowing teachers to choose the date that works best for their schedule. Online support sessions will be offered for each project cycle beginning with a debrief of Project 1 and launch of Project 2.
Although the support sessions are optional, teachers who participate in a session during each project cycle will be eligible to receive additional CEUs on top of those earned during the AP Summer Institute.
What’s the average class size that you would recommend to implement AP Project Based Learning?
This program is designed for all teachers interested in PBL regardless of class size. During the study, the average class size ranged from 25-30 students. That said, we understand that each school’s requirements for class size may vary. Strategies for implementing the projects with varying class sizes will be discussed during the AP Summer Institute and subsequent support sessions.
I teach my AP course in a semester. Am I still eligible to participate in the AP Project Based Learning Series?
Although the projects in this series were designed for a yearlong course, participants who teach in a semester may still engage in this program. The support will be modified for participants whose course is taught within a semester. Upon registration, note whether your course is on a yearlong or semester schedule.
What additional materials or administrative support will I need to implement AP Project Based Learning?
Projects in the AP PBL Series do not require instructional materials or resources beyond what’s required in the AP Course Audit.
The program includes up to five online support sessions during the school year. It’s important that your administrator is aware of these sessions and supports your attendance.