History and Context of Place Based Boston
In 2016, partners along the Trails to Freedom came together to increase access to historic downtown Boston for both BPS teachers and their students. To do this, we provide funding for programs and transportation. In addition to bringing students to our sites, our key mission of Place Based Boston is to promote the methods and principles of Place Based Teaching and Learning. Our vision is to deepen engagement of students along the place-based teaching and learning continuum through creative collaboration among teachers and site educators. Youth participating in place-based experiences will learn content, skills and values that enable them to evaluate and address authentic needs in their communities and participate fully in civic life. Our goal is that every Boston public and charter school student will participate in a meaningful and relevant PBB experience at least once during their K-12 tenure.
Please join us to deepen our knowledge of our city, its history, and what lessons we can take with us to build a better, more equitable future. We offer professional development options, free and reduced cost programming and transportation for your classrooms, and a group of knowledgeable, friendly site staff to help you utilize their resources on your own. If you’re interested in visiting any of our sites with your students, explore our offerings.
We offer professional development opportunities.
As part of our commitment to fostering a community focused on place-based teaching and learning, we regularly provide opportunities for teachers to add to their skills. We also share events that are ‘Place-Based Boston Approved’ so you know they will provide quality content in line with our mission and philosophy.
Upcoming Opportunities
August 2026
America 250: Supporting Teaching and Learning
Professional Development for Boston Area Public School Teachers
Place-Based Boston (PBB) is a collaborative of historically significant natural and cultural sites: Museum of African American History, National Park Service, Old North Church, Paul Revere House, Revolutionary Spaces. Together, this collective is committed to working with and supporting teachers and students from Boston Public Schools and neighboring districts. PBB creates place-based teaching and learning opportunities through collaboration with local teachers. This approach is designed to immerse learners in local heritage, cultures, landscapes, and experiences.
This year's PBB Workshop will be organized around themes associated with the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of American independence: "We the People", "Power of Place" and "Call to Action." Throughout the two-day workshop, teachers will explore how Place-Based Boston sites and the concepts of America 250 best support teaching and learning.
Course Objectives
Examine the America 250 framework and its relevance to K-12 teaching and learning
Experience how local sites expand historical narratives of Boston’s revolutionary and early republic eras by highlighting a variety of voices and origin stories
Discover how the power of place can facilitate a multi-sensory, meaningful portal to the past
Inspire opportunities for learning experiences where students use their voice to be agents of change
Identify how site educators and classroom teachers can best support one another
Course Details
FREE
Teachers from Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Malden, Medford, Quincy, Revere, Somerville and Winthrop are welcome to apply
Academic Lane Change credits approved; applies only to teachers within the BPS system
Workshop takes place throughout downtown Boston, including 5 different historic locations
Rain or shine, please dress accordingly
Dates
Monday, July 20th, 1:00-1:30 PM OR Thursday, July 23rd, 10:30-11:00 AM*
- Virtual orientation and Q&A
Wednesday, August 5th and Thursday, August 6th
- 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM - in person learning throughout downtown Boston
*Participants are asked to attend ONE virtual pre-course session, not both. Please choose whichever is most convenient for you.
Class size is limited to 20 with a minimum of 8 participants, and the application period will close on Sunday, May 3rd, 2026.
Contact Us: If you have any specific questions, please email placebasedboston@gmail.com
