PBL Future Labs

Our approach

From curiosity to a meaningful contribution.

Start with a real question. Build a team with different talents. Use technology thoughtfully, learn from experts, and test what your ideas can achieve.

The five impact skills

A process for
purposeful action.

Projects are iterative. New evidence can change the question, and a test can reveal the need for a different approach. Reflection is part of the work.

  1. 01

    Find a problem that matters

    Listen to your community. Understand who is affected, investigate causes, and define what progress could look like.

  2. 02

    Research and design with AI

    Use AI to explore possibilities and track progress. Check original sources, question assumptions, and keep people responsible for decisions.

  3. 03

    Connect with mentors

    Bring local knowledge and expert feedback into the work. Learn to ask useful questions and listen across different perspectives.

  4. 04

    Create and build support

    Develop a public product, test your ideas, and explain the proposed solution to the people who could use it.

  5. 05

    Measure and improve

    Compare results with your starting point. Share what worked, what did not, and what your team would change next.

Ethical AI.
Human responsibility.

AI can support inquiry, planning and design. Young people remain responsible for the questions they ask, the evidence they use, and the decisions they make.

Check the evidence

Trace claims to original sources. Compare perspectives, inspect uncertainty, and discuss what the tool may have missed.

Protect people’s information

Agree tool use with the organization and adult mentors. Keep student records and private community information out of unapproved tools.

Make thinking visible

Keep a source log, drafts, feedback and a record of AI use. Explain how decisions changed and what each person contributed.

Design for access

Plan around available devices, connectivity, language needs and accessibility. Include ways to participate without an AI account.

Measure learning.
Measure the contribution.

Define a baseline and a possible measure of change before testing a solution. Record context and limitations, rather than attributing every change to the project.

A portfolio can show problem understanding, checked evidence, collaboration, mentor feedback, communication, measurement and reflection. An inconclusive result can still demonstrate thoughtful work.

Online coaching encourages communication, respect and deep listening. Individual interests help shape roles, while the team shares responsibility for the project.

Let’s make a start

Help young people make
a contribution that matters.

Tell us about your people, your place, and the questions you want to explore.

Discuss a program ↗