Project-Based Learning (PBL) at WPI

Business Profile

Core Value Proposition

Project-Based Learning (PBL) at WPI provides hands-on, project-driven education that combines STEM, humanities, and global engagement to solve real-world problems through the WPI Plan and its signature project work.

Target Customer

Prospective students (undergraduate and graduate), parents, current students, alumni, employers & partners, and other educational institutions seeking experiential, project-based learning.

Key Differentiator

Global Projects Program with 50+ project centers across six continents, seven-week terms, and a strong integration of humanities and arts within a project-driven STEM curriculum; long-standing focus on hands-on, real-world projects from day one.

Implementation Timeline

Value is delivered over the entire undergraduate experience, with hands-on projects beginning from day one; seven-week terms structure undergraduate study; global project centers provide ongoing, multi-term engagement throughout the degree.

Pain Points

1Need for hands-on, real-world experience that connects classroom theory to practice
2Desire for cross-disciplinary skills (STEM plus humanities/arts) and teamwork/collaboration
3Requirement for global exposure and international project work

Key Features

1Project-Based Learning (PBL) signature pedagogy
2The WPI Plan: seven-week terms and emphasis on project work from day one
3Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP) and Major Qualifying Project (MQP) requirements
4Global Projects Program with 50+ project centers across six continents
5Humanities & Arts (HUA) integration as part of a well-rounded STEM education
6Real-project outcomes and alumni-focused impact data

Target Customer Industries

Client Results

184% of all undergraduate students participated in the Global Projects Program (2024)
298% of alumni respondents reported having projects in their courses
395% of alumni reported projects prepared them for their current career
488% of alumni reported projects helped them function effectively in the real world
588% of alumni reported projects helped them view issues from different perspectives
677% of alumni reported projects gave them feelings of being able to make a difference

Competitive Advantages

1Immersive, hands-on learning that connects theory to real-world impact
2Global exposure through 50+ project centers across six continents
3Strong cross-discipline integration (STEM + Humanities & Arts)
4Proven alumni outcomes and broad industry collaboration (case-based projects with real partners)

Key Benefits

1Hands-on, applied learning that leads to real-world solutions

2Global exposure via 50+ centers across six continents

3Development of teamwork, leadership, and cross-disciplinary competencies

4Strong alignment with industry through project-based outcomes and partnerships

5Robust evidence of career preparation and real-world effectiveness from alumni surveys

Case Studies & Success Stories

Optimizing the Finishing Process at Saint-Gobain

Case #1

Four students worked on increasing productivity of a manufacturing line for the global company Saint-Gobain, illustrating real-world impact of WPI project work.

The Schedule Tamer

Case #2

John Stewart ’97 used AI to solve the combinatorial explosion problem of professional and youth sports scheduling, highlighting the application of AI in scheduling challenges.

A Robotic Assist for Better Health

Case #3

In the Medical FUSION Lab, engineers combine medical imaging and robotics to make healthcare safer, more cost-effective, and better for patients.

Additional Product Information

Product Description

A signature, hands-on education model where students engage in real-world, team-based projects across STEM, humanities, and global contexts, anchored by the WPI Plan and IQP/MQP requirements, with a global project-centered structure.

Target Market

Prospective students (undergraduate and graduate), employers and industry partners, and other educational institutions seeking evidence-based, hands-on learning outcomes.

Unique Value Proposition

A global, project-centered education that blends STEM with humanities and business perspectives, delivers hands-on experience from day one, and demonstrates measurable long-term impact through alumni outcomes and industry partnerships.

Technical Requirements

Not specified in content; program relies on university infrastructure for project centers, interdisciplinary coursework, and collaboration tools as part of standard academic operations.

Pricing Model

Not disclosed in content

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