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While many forms of action research exist, Participatory Action Learning and Action Research (PALAR) combines multiple theories for a comprehensive, dynamic structure for community engagement. Participants will be introduced to the principles and four recurring stages of PALAR as a theoretical framework for social change. A series of presentations and activities will then guide them through applying PALAR to develop action plans. Participants will begin to apply the concepts of PALAR by selecting a provided case study or a self-identified context or project they would like to develop during the workshop. To support participants in developing their case study, presenters will share examples from their application of PALAR to an inter-institutional collaboration between a predominately white institution and a historically black university focused on informal engineering education to develop a living-learning lab with a traditionally underserved community. Participants will then explore applying PALAR to attain impactful and transformative social change. Exploring PALAR will include assessing and attending to knowledge production, power relations, and relationship building. Through centering collaboration with other participants, incorporating personal examples, and fostering an environment for sharing ideas, individuals will have the opportunity to explore their projects and discern how to integrate PALAR into their work. Participants will learn about research methodologies used to measure outcomes in a student-led project outside the classroom, where grades do not define student success. Presenters will share their successes/pitfalls and lessons learned during the project’s first year. Participants will also understand the importance of transparency when collecting data from stakeholders to ensure data authenticity. Finally, participants will use what they learned to draft a data collection plan for their project. Participants will engage in hands-on exercises tailored to the NCORE community, guiding them in applying PALAR principles to real-world scenarios. They will collaboratively develop action plans aligned with the specific needs and goals of racially and ethnically diverse communities, incorporating iterative design for continuous improvement based on reflection and feedback. Join us for an immersive NCORE experience in PALAR, where theory seamlessly meets practical application for impactful social change.