PITTSBURGH (May 18, 2016) – Continuing its commitment to quality educational experiences for students across America, Chevron Appalachia, based near Pittsburgh, is expanding its support of Project Lead The Way (PLTW) programs in schools in Southwest Pennsylvania, Northern West Virginia and Southeast Ohio, PLTW announced this week.
PLTW is a nonprofit organization that provides transformative educational experiences for K-12 students and teachers through curriculum and professional development in computer science, engineering and biomedical science.
The commitment is part of a long-term social investment program in the Ohio-Pennsylvania-West Virginia region, called the Appalachia Partnership Initiative (API), which addresses educational and workforce development challenges in 27 counties. In addition to Chevron, API partners are the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, The Grable Foundation and RAND Corporation in a research and evaluation role.
API is currently supporting PLTW programs in 57 schools, providing more than $1 million to-date with grants to sustain existing PLTW programs and implement new programs in elementary, middle and high schools.
Frazier School District, located in a rural community in Fayette County about 30 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, has been able to implement PLTW programs in grades K-12 thanks to Chevron’s support.
“I am extremely appreciative and so thankful we were able to do this. It would not be possible without Chevron, that is for sure,” says Mike Premus, PLTW teacher at Frazier Middle School. “We want to get students excited and enthusiastic about all the opportunities available to them.”
Chevron is providing an additional $900,000 for a new grant cycle that will bring up to 30 additional new PLTW programs to schools in the region. Grant applications for this latest round will begin this fall at https://www.pltw.org/get-involved/grant-opportunities.
“Our investment in Project Lead The Way expansion is part of our commitment to bring innovative science, technology, engineering and math learning to predominantly rural school districts like Frazier in Fayette County,” said Trip Oliver, Chevron Appalachia policy, government, and public affairs manager. “Pittsburgh is establishing itself as a national leader in remaking learning, and we want to ensure that the surrounding communities where we operate in southwest Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and northern West Virginia are also benefiting from this innovative approach to education.”
Since 2009, Chevron has committed over $14 million to PLTW nationally, providing transformative educational experiences for K-12 students and teachers in California, New Mexico, Hawaii, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Washington, D.C. and the API region. As a result, more than 100,000 students and 2,300 teachers have had access to PLTW programs and teacher professional development. In 2013, Chevron became PLTW’s first National Partner.
“Chevron’s support has been vital in providing America’s students with transformative educational experiences and equipping them with the in-demand knowledge and transportable skills they need to thrive in our rapidly advancing world,” said PLTW President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Vince Bertram. “We are, once again, very thankful for their commitment to America’s students.”
Below is a complete list of schools that have received funding from Chevron Appalachia for PLTW programs.
| High Schools | Middle Schools | Elementary Schools |
| Cameron Jr/Sr High School (WV) | Frazier Middle School (PA) | Avella Elementary Center (PA) |
| Frazier High School (PA) | Margaret Bell Middle School (PA) | South Side Elementary (PA) |
| Belle Vernon Area High School (PA) | Cameron Jr/Sr High School (WV) | Mendon Elementary (PA) |
| Chartiers Valley High School (PA) | David E William Middle School (PA) | West Newton Elementary School (PA) |
| Dover High School (OH) | Elizabeth Forward Middle School (PA) | Waynesburg Central Elementary School (PA) |
| Indian Valley High School (OH) | Chartiers Valley Middle School (PA) | South Elementary (Dover) (OH) |
| Laurel Highlands High School (PA) | Dover Middle School (OH) | East Elementary School (Dover) (OH) |
| Montour High School (PA) | Indian Valley Middle School (OH) | Dover Avenue Elementary School (OH) |
| New Philadelphia High School (OH) | South Side Middle School (PA) | Frazier Elementary (PA) |
| South Park High School (PA) | South Park Middle School (PA) | H.W. Good Elementary (PA) |
| South Side High School (PA) | Welty Middle School (OH) | Tuscarawas Valley Intermediate School (OH) |
| Wheeling Park High School (WV) | Mercer Middle-High School (PA) | East Elementary (NPCS) (OH) |
| Buckeye Career Center (OH) | Bridge Street Middle School (WV) | South Elementary (NPCS) (OH) |
| John Marshall High School (WV) | Belle Vernon Area Middle School (PA) | West Elementary (OH) |
| Albert Gallatin Senior High School (PA) | Greater Latrobe Junior High School (PA) | Central Elementary School (OH) |
| Elizabeth Forward High School (PA) | York Elementary (OH) | |
| Magnolia High School (WV) | McCormick Elementary (PA) | |
| Penn Trafford High School (PA) | J.A. Allard Elementary (PA) | |
| Norwin High School (PA) | South Park Elementary (PA) | |
| Greater Latrobe Senior High School (PA) | Mountain View Elementary (PA) | |
| Baggaley Elementary (PA) | ||
| Latrobe Elementary (PA) |
The Appalachia Partnership Initiative (API) is multi-year effort supported by Chevron Appalachia, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, and The Grable Foundation. The RAND Corporation serves as the independent evaluation and monitoring lead for the API. The API addresses STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) K-12 education and workforce development needs in the Greater Pittsburgh area’s advanced manufacturing and energy sectors. For more information, please visit www.apalachiapartnership.com.
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. Through pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science, PLTW empowers students to develop in-demand knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in an evolving world, and provides teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students. PLTW programs can be found in over 8,000 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For more information on Project Lead The Way, visit pltw.org.
Chevron is one of the world's leading integrated energy companies. Through its subsidiaries that conduct business worldwide, the company is involved in virtually every facet of the energy industry. Chevron explores for, produces and transports crude oil and natural gas; refines, markets and distributes transportation fuels and lubricants; manufactures and sells petrochemical products; generates power and produces geothermal energy; provides energy efficiency solutions; and develops the energy resources of the future, including biofuels. Chevron’s Marcellus and Utica shale natural gas operations are based in Moon Township, PA. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.
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Media Contacts: Project Lead The Way
Jennifer Cahill
jcahill@pltw.org or (317) 669-0871