Project-Based Learning at WPI | PBL in Higher Education

In a world that’s constantly evolving, it’s natural for education to evolve along with it. Project-based learning (PBL) is essential to fostering more skilled, empathetic, confident, experienced students—and, in turn, members of society. And over the last 50 years, we’ve not only mastered this pedagogy rooted in hands-on learning, but set tens of thousands of students on the course for success in the process.

Learning doesn’t stop once students leave the classroom, and more than ever, students need to be prepared not only for their first job, but for their careers and lives for years to come. It’s imperative for students and educators alike that we implement project-based learning in higher education. Doing so will be crucial in elevating education, its outcomes, and impact on the ever-changing global challenges we face as a society.

Lifelong Impact of Project Work

Discover the long-term professional and personal impact of project-based learning (PBL)

Learn about the significance of PBL

Featured Student Projects

Building a Better Ankle

Aditi Bhattamishra '28 seeks to find how to connect the mobility and sensory aspects of prosthetics.

Read more in the WPI Journal

Familiar, but a World Away

Students at the Cape Town, South Africa project center work to support the local population.

Read more in the WPI Journal

Engineering a Cultural Connection

Members of WPI’s student chapter of Engineers Without Borders work to improve water quality in Ecuador.

Read more in the WPI Journal

Optimizing the Finishing Process at Saint-Gobain

Four students set out to increase the productivity of a manufacturing line for global company Saint-Gobain.

Read more in the WPI Journal

From the University Magazine

Blasting Data at Warp Speed

Mark Padula ’83, MS ’90, helped create an optical communication system to allow deep-space explorers to send data exponentially faster.

Read more in the WPI Journal

Honoring History's Original Geek

Michael Caprio ’96 works to restore Nikola Tesla’s long-neglected Long Island lab and inspire a new generation of innovators.

Read more in the WPI Journal

Using the Right Tech to Challenge Misinformation in Romania

Students at the Romania project center discover solutions by combining science and technology.

Curious Learners in the Global Crossroads of Singapore

Singapore is home to one of WPI’s newest project centers.

Read more in the WPI Journal

Media Coverage

See More Media Coverage

The Worcester Guardian

‘Rest Matters’: WPI podcast wins national Episode of the Year award

The Worcester Guardian reported on a national recognition for The WPI Podcast, produced by the Division of Marketing Communications. The podcast won "Episode of the Year" at the inaugural HigherEd PodCon Awards in Cleveland which recognize creativity excellence in higher education podcasting. The winning episode, "Rest Matters" features a conversation with Stacy Shaw, assistant professor in the Department of Social Science and Policy Studies on how rest influences learning, creativity, focus and well-being.

The Worcester Guardian

Global Experience Office Director earns Fulbright to study higher education in India

Kathleen Head, director of the Global Experience Office, was featured in the Worcester Guardian for receiving a prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award. Head plans to use the award to explore new pathways for WPI students and faculty to work on projects and research; and have transformative academic and cultural experiences in India.

Inside Higher ED

Can You Build an Electric Race Car?

Max Mobley, a computer science student and project manager and driver for the university's Formula SAE team, is featured in an Inside Higher Ed column examining how WPI students design, build, and race an electric race car. He explains how the student team, which combines senior capstone project experience with student organization activity, earns valuable hands-on educational experience by applying theory learned in the classroom to real-world motorsports challenges.

Boston 25

‘It’s loud’ – Engineering students work to create a quiet pickleball

Boston 25 News reported on a senior Major Qualifying Project conducted by students in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering seeking to develop a quieter ball for the sport of pickleball without sacrificing performance. The students explored potential geometric and materials changes in the design of balls and tested their prototypes for the decibel level produced and mechanical properties.

Additional Publications: KIRO-TV (Seattle, WA) | WFTV-TV (Orlando, FL) | WHIO-TV (Dayton, OH)