INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 3, 2015) – Project Lead The Way (PLTW) announced today that 21 middle schools received grants totaling $310,350 to implement PLTW’s middle school program – PLTW Gateway – for the 2015-16 school year. A second grant competition is currently open for schools interested in implementing PLTW in the 2016-17 school year. The grants are funded by John Deere in communities where the company’s employees work and live.
“PLTW programs provide students with a solid foundation in STEM coursework,” said Pat Barnes, John Deere’s program director for global STEM. “Engaging students in Project Lead The Way programs will help develop the world’s next generation of innovators.”
PLTW Gateway includes units in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. In PLTW Gateway, students work through real-world problems and scenarios, developing the ability to problem solve, think critically and creatively, communicate, and collaborate.
“Encouraging young people in STEM-related subjects will help build a workforce ready for the challenges of the future,” Barnes said. “John Deere has provided grants totaling $500,000 to PLTW since 2012.”
“We are grateful for John Deere’s continued commitment to expanding PLTW’s transformational learning experiences within their communities,” said Dr. Rex Bolinger, PLTW senior vice president and chief development officer. “This program helps ensure students are developing the knowledge and skills they need to compete and succeed in post-secondary education and their careers.”
The schools that received grants are:
California Hutchinson Middle School (Torrance) Waite Middle School (Torrance)
Illinois Urbana Middle School (Champaign)
Iowa Carlisle Middle School (Des Moines) Johnston Middle School (Des Moines) Meredith Middle School (Des Moines) Maquoketa Middle School (Dubuque) Central Middle School (Waterloo)
Kansas Roosevelt Middle School (Coffeyville)
North Carolina Daniels Middle School (Raleigh-Durham) East Wake Middle School (Raleigh-Durham) Fuquay Varina Middle School (Raleigh-Durham) Martin Middle School (Raleigh-Durham)
North Dakota Ben Franklin Middle School (Fargo) Carl Ben Eielson Middle School (Fargo) Discovery Middle School (Fargo) Valley City Jr./Sr. High School (Valley City)
Wisconsin Horicon Junior High School (Horicon) Lomira Middle School (Horicon) Lourdes Academy of Oshkosh (Horicon)
For more information on PLTW’s grant program, as well to apply for the John Deere 2016-17 grant, visit https://www.pltw.org/grant-opportunities.
About PLTW Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for K-12 students and teachers across the U.S. PLTW empowers students to develop in-demand, transportable knowledge and skills through pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. PLTW’s teacher training and resources support teachers as they engage their students in real-world learning. More than 8,000 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia offer PLTW programs. For more information on Project Lead The Way, visit pltw.org.
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Media Contact: Jennifer Cahill PLTW Senior Director of Media and Public Relations (317) 669-0871 jcahill@pltw.org