PBL Study

 Project-based learning could improve outcomes for all students, according to two studies. The studies found that half of students who engaged in project-based learning passed Advanced Placement exams -- higher than the rate in traditional classrooms -- and that students from low-income households made similar progress as peers from wealthier ones.

Saavedra, A. et al. (2021). Knowledge in action: Efficacy study over two years. Los Angeles, CA: USC. https://cesr.usc.edu/sites/default/files/Knowledge%20in%20Action%20Efficacy%20Study_18feb2021_final.pdf

Krajcik J. et al. (2020). Assessing the Effect of Project-Based Learning on Science Learning in Elementary Schools. Lucas Educational Foundation. https://mlpbl.open3d.science/techreport

Positive Impacts of Project-Based Learning on Learning and Achievement

Researchers in Michigan show that project-based learning in high-poverty communities can produce statistically significant gains in social studies and informational reading. Their study found that PBL was effective in fostering social studies

and informational reading growth in sample of second graders from high-poverty, low-

performing schools in teachers’ first year of implementation of the approach. Higher fidelity to PBL session plans was associated with statistically significantly higher growth

in writing, motivation, and reading.

Duke, N. K., Halvorsen, A., Strachan, S., & Kim, J. (2017). Putting PBL to the test: The impact of project-based learning on second-grade students’ social studies and literacy learning and motivation. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan. https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=dW1pY2guZWR1fG5rZHVrZXxneDo0ZWQ1ZTk3NTFmZDI4ZTg5

Survey on new teachers

More than half of America's newest teachers believe that an infusion of technology in their classrooms could help them be more efficient according to a new survey. They also tend to be "comfortable" with major areas of teaching responsibilities — understanding instructional goals, lesson planning and classroom management. But they also possess "concerns" about preparation in other areas. They're less confident than more experienced teachers, for example, in preparation of instructional goals and standards, project based learning, differentiated learning and developing assessments.
Simba Information, & NCH Strategic Data. (2016). New teachers, getting adjusted, 2015-2016.  Rockville, MD: Simba Information.
http://www.simbainformation.com/Teachers-Adjusted-9855706/ 

Project-based learning research review

Edutopia conducted a literature review on project-based learning research.  Their series of five articles note how researchers define project-based learning, review some of the possible learning outcomes, provide recommendations of evidence-based components for successful PBL, list some best practices across disciplines, and offer a comprehensive annotated bibliography with links to all the studies and reports cited in these pages.
Edutopia. (2013).  Project-based learning research review
http://www.edutopia.org/pbl-research-learning-outcomes