The Center for Application Based Learning (CABL) was created as the Packer Foundation in 1995 by Dr. Kenneth Packer to promote and expand science and technology education at all levels, and to enhance the education of students training to become engineers and scientists.
Dr. Packer is the founder and chairman of the Board of Packer Engineering Inc, a nationally known engineering consulting and technical services company whose practice includes failure analysis, accident investigation, product and process design, structural assessment, and computer modeling.
Believing that these applications of the scientific method to industrial situations provided an excellent "laboratory" for students of science and engineering, Dr. Packer developed a summer internship program over forty years ago that is continued by the Center today.
The Packer Foundation Engineering Internship Program provides very practical experiences under the direction and supervision of Packer Engineering staff and industrial colleagues. Each internship is custom designed to provide the best possible practical experience for the student while assuring that the work performed is valuable and meaningful to the internship host.
The Scholars Program is a collection of educational programs for gifted and talented children from the elementary grades through high school. The program's mission is to "encourage excellence and enrichment opportunities among gifted students." Classroom space is provided on the campus of Aurora University
STEP (Students in Technology and Engineering at Packer) is an internship program for high school and community college students who may be considering careers in engineering or engineering technology. STEP provides the flexibility for students to enter the workforce as engineering technicians upon completion of community college coursework, or to continue on to postsecondary education toward an engineering degree. The STEP program was initiated in 2002 and has offered mentored internships to more than 125 students. The program is co-sponsored by the Valley Industrial Association and partially funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Pathways is a group internship program developed originally for students at East Aurora High School by Packer Engineering and the Department of Commerce and Economic Development under the “Team Illinois” program. Subsequently the program has been expanded to include students at West Aurora and Naperville schools as well. Students work on site at Packer Engineering for two after-school sessions per week. In addition to actual project work, the students are exposed to design-build projects and exercises in teamwork, communications, and workplace skills. Since February 2004, approximately one hundred twenty students have participated in the Pathways program.
Aviation Camp is a week-long summer experience offered on site at Clow International Airport in Bolingbrook. Students experience a hands-on curriculum using aviation to reinforce their skills in science and mathematics. Field trips and guest speakers encourage further education and careers in aviation and aviation technology.