About PBL Future Labs
PBL Future Labs was founded on a simple but powerful belief: All learners are capable. No student needs to be 'fixed.' The solution is to design learning environments that engage every learner—regardless of neurodivergent strengths—in purpose-driven work that matches how they process, think, and create.
Traditional education often fails ADHD, autistic, dyslexic, and other neurodivergent students, not because these learners lack ability, but because rigid curricula, one-size-fits-all pacing, and lecture-heavy instruction don't match how they process, engage, or create. We combine human-centered project-based learning with cutting-edge AI tools like ChatGPT, Anthropic Claude, Google NotebookLM to help teachers create educational experiences that meet neurodivergent learners where they are, and take them further than they imagined possible.
PBL Future Labs Consultant Network
PBL Future Labs connects to a global network of experienced educators, coaches, and learning specialists committed to transforming education through integrating AI and project-based learning.
Dan Thomas
STEM & PBL Consultant | LEGO Education Trainer
Jamestown, New York, USA
Veteran STEM educator with 30+ years of classroom experience. Certified LEGO Education Academy Teacher Trainer, 2019 LEGO Master Educator, and ISTE Certified Educator. Dan specializes in play-based learning, robotics, computational thinking, and AI in education. He is the founder of Coach Thomas Tech LLC, host of The TechEd Clubhouse Podcast, and creator of the Substack newsletter "Where's the Fun in That?", helping educators bring play, creativity, and critical thinking back into learning.
Nicole Archer
Education Program Manager | Peace Corps South Africa
South Africa
Dedicated education leader with deep experience in cross-cultural community development and educational program management across Southern Africa. Nicole leads strategic planning, volunteer training, and program coordination for Peace Corps South Africa, partnering with government and local organizations to develop impactful education initiatives. She has designed interactive workshops for rural school teachers, facilitated reading and literacy programs in Mpumalanga, and built sustainable library collections serving thousands of learners. Her expertise spans curriculum development, data management, and virtual education program delivery.
Joanne McGovern
Curriculum Manager & GenAI Project Lead
Northern Ireland, UK
Curriculum Manager for the Engineering Hub at South West College, Northern Ireland, with over 13 years of experience teaching across Post Primary, Further Education, and Higher Education settings. Joanne holds a Masters in Educational Leadership with a research focus on assessment in Project Based Learning (PBL) curriculum. She has been the project lead for Generative AI integration within her college, developing institutional AI roadmaps, piloting GenAI tools in engineering and product design classrooms, and publishing widely on AI-enhanced assessment methods. A published contributor to Advance HE, Joanne writes on transforming educational practice through AI and active learning.
Marcia Powell
Curriculum Consultant | Equity & System Change Specialist
Iowa, USA
Veteran educator and curriculum consultant with expertise spanning system change, equity, writing, mentoring, and eLearning. Marcia has worked on regional and national projects to make education relevant, including teacher leadership, science standards development, constructivism, inquiry-based learning, PBL, and technology integration. She co-developed the Iowa World Language Standards, impacting tens of thousands of students statewide. Marcia has evaluated over 160 micro-credentials for Digital Promise, coached equity-focused teacher cohorts for the NEA and Center for Teaching Quality, and assessed statewide STEM program proposals. She currently creates relevant educational opportunities for students aged 16–21 who won’t or can’t return to traditional brick-and-mortar schools.
Ashlee Russell, M.Ed.
Founder & Chief Learning Consultant, AI Learning Central | Keynote Speaker | Military, Government & Higher Ed Partnerships
USA
Veteran educator with over 15 years of experience as a classroom teacher, special education teacher, instructional coach, and district-wide professional development leader. Ashlee is the founder of AI Learning Central, providing AI Literacy education, consulting, and upskilling services to K–12 and higher education institutions. She holds a Master’s degree in Reading Education and has been contracted by Pearson VUE to design and deliver AI and Data Literacy curriculum. Ashlee has worked with the US Army on cutting-edge AI applications, serves as a school board member, has appeared on New York’s PIX11 discussing AI in education, and is a sought-after keynote speaker on responsible AI implementation in schools.
Lori Stratton
STEM Program Developer | Museum Educator | Accessibility Specialist
Sandy Hook, Connecticut, USA
Educational program development consultant and independent museum professional with over a decade of experience working with children and adults of all ages and populations, including special needs communities. Lori is the creator of "STEM Ever After" (combining literacy and STEM for early learners) and "STEM Superheroes", a program introducing students to real innovators from aerospace, mathematics, science, and engineering who solve real-world problems with STEM. She developed all original content for the STEM Alliance’s "Digital Equity Now" programs, designed to bridge the digital divide for families, teens, adults, and seniors. Previously with the New York Transit Museum education department, Lori specializes in PBL, professional development, accessibility, and building and supervising teams of 25+ educators.
Tom Millinchip
Deputy Head Academic | International Education Leader
Nassau, Bahamas
Deputy Head Academic at Windsor School Bahamas, an independent school providing dynamic education for students aged 18 months to 18 years. Tom brings extensive international teaching experience across multiple countries and school systems, having served as English Coordinator at Prague British International School, Class Teacher at British International School of Casablanca, and Teacher at The Study School (UK). He holds a PGCE from Canterbury Christ Church University and has expertise in curriculum development, English language education, and educational leadership within international school environments. His career spans the UK, Morocco, Czech Republic, and the Bahamas.
Ken Dong
EdTech Researcher & Instructor | AI, Makerspaces & PBL
China
Instructor and researcher working at the intersection of teaching, learning, and technology. Ken holds a Master of Engineering and is published on ResearchGate for his research in effective pedagogy with AI, makerspaces, 3D printing, Augmented/Virtual Reality, and Project Based Learning in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4iR). He supports educational transformation through the lens of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and actively collaborates with educators both within China and internationally.
Our Partners
Schools and institutions bringing PBL Future Labs to their learners
TCES National Online School
United Kingdom
The UK's first DfE-accredited special online school, providing therapeutic education for neurodivergent learners and those with emotionally based school avoidance. Their award-winning LIFE programme builds confidence and resilience through Leadership, Independence, Future options, and Empowerment.
Bloom KKCA Academy
Hong Kong
An innovative bilingual primary school in Hong Kong offering project-based education for Grades 1–6. Founded by educators, entrepreneurs, and engineers, Bloom's "Care, Think, Act" model nurtures holistic development through specialist STEM, innovation, and media spaces.
Choice Charter School
Iowa, USA
A free Iowa public high school for students who can't or won't return to a traditional brick-and-mortar setting. Choice provides flexible, individualised online learning with mentoring, technology, and personalised pacing to help every learner succeed.
Salty Sharks
Australia
An immersive education platform bringing STEM, marine biology, and social-emotional learning to life through virtual worlds for ages 9–16. Certified by Safer Technology 4 Schools and approved for Queensland State Schools, with curriculum aligned to NSW, UK, and US standards.
Windsor School Bahamas
Nassau, Bahamas
A three-campus independent day and boarding school in Nassau serving students from 18 months to 18 years. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Windsor offers a Cambridge-rooted curriculum with cutting-edge courses in Marine Science, STEM, Music, and Business.
BeWorldClass
United Kingdom
A digital platform by the World Class Education Network that supports, assesses, and celebrates character and skill development in students. Their framework cultivates resilience, respect, and reflection, preparing young people to thrive in an ever-changing global economy.