PBL（Project-based Learning）被称为项目式学习，即在项目中教师和学生一起参与来解决现实问题的学习模式。密歇根州立大学（MSU）的CREATE for STEM中心将该模式应用于科学的教学中，取得了不错的效果。该中心旨在通过基于NGSS的科学教育研究来提升K-12学生的STEM学科教学质量。具体而言，该中心致力于为提升STEM教育开发新的课程资源、相关技术与课程的整合应用、STEM教学研究模式等等，构建有效的STEM教育新模式，并开展相关教师、研究者的专业培训。
CREATE依照美国下一代科学标准（NGSS）建立了密歇根科学标准，其中三维学习（3DL），即科学与工程实践、学科核心概念和跨学科概念的整合，可以帮助学生更好地学习科学。PBL通过学生提问、合作探究、得出结论及解决方案来提升学生的科学听说读写能力。PBL帮助学生掌握在解决复杂问题中的思维和技能，是CREATE提升学生科学素养至关重要的策略。
CREATE负责人是Joseph Krajcik教授，他是MSU的Lappan-Phillips教授，NGSS的物理学科设计团队总负责人。
北京师范大学中国基础教育质量监测协同创新中心科学提升部主任林静前往MSU考察学习了CREATE中心PBL项目的实施情况，并与CREATE中心合作在北京试用部分PBL资源。合作校为北京大学附属小学、北京东城区府学胡同小学、北京师范大学第三附属中学、北京市东城区和平里第四小学。
PBL (project-based learning) is a learning mode in which teachers and students participate together to find solutions to questions about the world around them. The CREATE for STEM Institute at Michigan State University (MSU) has applied this model to science teaching with great success. The institute aims to improve teaching and learning in the STEM disciplines for students from grades K-16 through research and development efforts.
CREATE projects build upon several big ideas related to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which have been adopted as the Michigan Science Standards. The 3-dimensional learning (3DL) is the idea that students learn better when disciplinary core ideas, scientific and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts are integrated into how they experience science. PBL engages students in reading, listening, speaking, and writing in science by having them ask questions, work together to investigate, and draw conclusions or develop solutions to problems.
Professor Joseph Krajcik is the Lappan-Phillips Professor，Chair of Science Education at Michigan State University and the director of CREATE for STEM Institute. Prof. Krajcik has focused on working with science teachers to reform science teaching practices to promote student engagement and learning. He chaired the Physical Science Design Team for the NGSS.
Jing Lin, director of Science Education Quality Development Department of CICA-BEQ at Beijing Normal University, visited CREATE to learn about the implementation of the CREATE PBL program and introduced some of the PBL program resources to Beijing primary and secondary schools as cooperative schools. The first batch of cooperative schools are Peking University Elementary School, Fuxuehutong Elementary School in Dongcheng District of Beijing, and The Third High School Attached to Beijing Normal University.