We are passionate about developing new approaches to address pressing problems and shaping the future of education in preK–12, higher education, and learning for working professionals.
Harnessing AI in Educational Settings
Our Learning Analytics and Artificial Intelligence master’s program is the first-of-its-kind in the Ivy League, and the PASS Program is the first-ever professional development program training teachers and school and district leaders in AI.
Integrated Data Systems in Philadelphia
John Fantuzzo (Penn GSE) and Dennis Culhane (SP2) led the interdisciplinary integration of records from across public health, social services, and school databases in Philadelphia, establishing Philadelphia as one of the first cities to have an integrated data system (IDS). This system has been used for more than two decades to inform city planning, policymaking, service provision, and evaluation. Today, best practices in data sharing are being advanced through the national network of integrated data systems they co-founded, Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy. The city continues to leverage its IDS for the public good. For example, in partnership with Penn GSE’s Penn Early Childhood and Family Research Center, the city is evaluating and improving policies and services for young children and their families.
Making Computer Science Accessible
Yasmin B. Kafai helped develop the Scratch programming tool used by over 100 million children worldwide, and through the nationwide Exploring Computer Science curriculum, she launched the use of electronic textiles to introduce computing, engineering, and machine learning in high school classrooms.
Supporting Education Entrepreneurs
The Milken-Penn GSE Education Business Plan Competition has supported 1,500 early-stage ventures across more than 50 countries, catalyzing more than $200 million in follow-on funding for solutions impacting tens of millions of learners—from AI-driven speech therapy tools to equity-focused college-access platforms.
Penn GSE's Innovative Legacy of “FIRSTS”First master’s program in education entrepreneurship |
Our Work
Penn GSE is home to centers and initiatives that produce cutting-edge research on global issues in education and put innovative practices, strategies, and tools directly into the hands of practitioners, both in Philadelphia and across the globe.
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Catalyst @ Penn GSE
A center for global education innovation, Catalyst @ Penn GSE connects people and ideas to develop new ways to advance education in novel and meaningful directions.
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Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education
The Harold W. McGraw, Jr. Prize in Education celebrates innovation in education by recognizing outstanding individuals who have dedicated themselves to improving education and whose accomplishments are making a difference today.
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Milken-Penn GSE Business Plan Competition
The EBPC is considered the most prestigious and well-funded education business plan competition, celebrating and nurturing meaningful innovations in education, offering a full range of supports to elevate ideas to the next level and move research into practice.
Related News
Artificial intelligence tools can generate lesson plans in an instant—but that doesn’t ensure high-quality, enriching, and contextually relevant instruction. Bodong Chen provides advice on how to create engaging, effective, and contemporary lesson plans using AI.
On May 17, in the Palestra, Penn GSE commemorated the achievements of the roughly 600 master’s and doctoral graduates at this year’s Commencement ceremony.
The newly named office in Catalyst @ Penn GSE merges the expertise and expands the impact of two offices: the Penn Literacy Network and the Center for Professional Learning.
From first-time presenters to seasoned scholars, the Penn GSE community showed up big at AERA 2025 with fresh ideas and powerful conversations.
The latest issue of Social Innovations Journal is an outgrowth of the center for global education innovation’s expertise and mission, capitalizing on their deep network of researchers, practitioners, entrepreneurs, and policy leaders.
Two teams of education master’s students were finalists in the co-curricular program at the business school, which brought together students from across the University with varying levels of experience in artificial intelligence to solve real-world problems in just one week.
This spring, those honors include three Spencer Foundation grants, the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, and more.
Lorea Peterson Rodondo will graduate in May with a dual degree from Penn GSE and Wharton. She discusses her ambition to apply lessons learned to education in her hometown of Mexico City and reflects on her experience at Penn.
The Project-Based Learning for Global Climate Justice certificate program is a collaboration between Penn GSE and 70 educators around Asia, Africa, and Europe working together on a K–12 education program that emphasizes climate change and social inequalities.