In the first research study ever reported on project-based knowing and Advanced Placement results, research researchers at the Center for Economic and Social Research at USC Dornsife discovered that students taught AP US Government and AP Environmental Science with a PBL method surpassed peers on tests by 8 percentage points in year one of a randomized controlled trial, and were more likely to make a passing score of 3 or above with the chance to receive college credit. In year two, PBL students outperformed peers by 10 portion points.

The yearlong curricula were developed by University of Washington teachers along with Seattle and Des Moines instructors. In the very first of five projects in AP Environmental Science, students check out sustainability by conducting an individual environmental effect audit and establishing a proposal to reduce usage.

Students in project-based learning (PBL) class across the United States significantly exceed students in normal class, according to 4 research studies released from Lucas Education Research, a division of the George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF), together with scientists from 5 major universities.