FOR nearly three years now, the Public School System’s investment in Project-Based Learning or PBL has continued to provide educators across the Commonwealth with vital support, effectively aligning student learning and teaching with its broader College and Career Readiness Initiative.
In the Marianas High School cafeteria this week, over a hundred educators participated in a transformative professional development workshop, according to PSS Senior Director Rizalina Liwag of the Office of Curriculum and Instruction.
“With continued investment in teacher development and instructional innovation, PSS is paving the way for a brighter and more engaging future for all learners,” the PSS-OCI stated.
The PBL training was facilitated by education experts Aaron Eisberg and Matt Baer of the Center for Excellence, both recognized for their expertise in experiential learning models.
The training supports PSS’s broader College and Career Readiness Initiative, which emphasizes equipping students with 21st-century skills through authentic, hands-on learning experiences.
Project-Based Learning gives students opportunities to engage in meaningful projects that simulate real-world challenges — allowing them to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills.
Research shows that PBL not only enhances academic achievement but also increases student engagement and motivation by helping learners make connections between classroom content and future college or career paths.
PSS first implemented this model three years ago as part of its broader learning and teaching initiative to ensure a seamless return to in-person instruction following the Covid-19 pandemic. This federally funded program is supported by the federal consolidated grant and managed by the PSS Federal Programs Office.
Three-day session
The intensive professional development program brought together educators from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Eisberg and Baer led the three-day sessions with presentations and interactive workshops. Teachers explored the core principles of high-quality PBL design, strategies for effective implementation, and tools to assess student learning outcomes. The training also included sample projects, collaborative planning sessions, and opportunities for reflection on instructional practices.
PSS educators left the workshop with ready-to-implement project frameworks and a deeper understanding of how to bring student-centered learning to life in their classrooms.
This training marks a significant step forward in PSS’s efforts to modernize instruction and prepare students for future success. By fostering experiential learning environments, educators are now better equipped to cultivate student agency, creativity, and resilience.
“This training gave us a new lens to see what learning can truly look like when students are at the center of the process,” one teacher said.
Educators from Rota, Tinian, and Saipan public schools participating in the three-day Project-Based Learning training and professional development at the Marianas High School cafeteria gather around education experts Aaron Eisberg and Matt Baer of the Center for Excellence for a group photo.
Breakout sessions are designed to engage educators on the hands-on activities designed to support teaching and learning.
K-12 classroom teachers brainstorm during a training session.
K-12 PSS educators present their recommended strategies as part of an intensive three-day Project-Based Learning session.
