For Immediate Release
INDIANAPOLIS (April 7, 2015) – More students across the United States will now have access to project-based science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs thanks to a generous contribution by the Dart Foundation. On Tuesday, Dart Foundation announced a $245,000 commitment to support Project Lead The Way’s (PLTW) high school engineering program at seven schools across five states.
“The Dart Foundation is a critical partner in the effort to prepare more students for the jobs of the global economy,” said Project Lead The Way President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Vince Bertram. “Every student in America deserves access to rigorous, project-based STEM education, and we are extremely grateful to the Dart Foundation for making it available to more students.”
The PLTW Engineering program is designed for students in grades 9-12. At its foundation, the program teaches students to think critically, solve problems, and collaborate with one another to find solutions. Through a series of courses, students learn and apply the engineering design process, use industry-leading technology and software, and study topics such as robotics, aerodynamics and astronautics, biological engineering, manufacturing, and digital electronics. Students often have the opportunity to earn college credit, admissions preferences, or scholarships for completed PLTW courses.
The schools selected to receive grant funds are:
The grant will support costs associated with beginning a new PLTW program, including teacher training, classroom equipment and supplies, and the annual program participation fee. Dart Foundation support will give hundreds of students the opportunity to experience world-class STEM curriculum and the application of STEM subjects through real-world experiences.
"As a funder of STEM education programs, we look for opportunities that encourage science and math learning as well as career exploration,” said Ariane Dart, trustee of the Dart Foundation. “Project Lead The Way engages students in these disciplines through curriculum that makes these subjects relevant in the classroom and beyond."
This is the second generous grant from the Dart Foundation in support of PLTW. In 2014-15, the Dart Foundation committed over $100,000 to support PLTW programs at three schools in California, Georgia, and Illinois.
The Dart Foundation is a private foundation established in 1984 by William A. and Claire T. Dart. Headquartered in Mason, Mich., its core mission is to advance and encourage youth education, primarily in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
About PLTW
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the nation’s leading provider of K-12 science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs. PLTW’s world-class, activity-, project-, and problem-based curriculum and high-quality teacher professional development model, combined with an engaged network of educators and corporate partners, help students develop the skills needed to succeed in our global economy. More than 6,500 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia currently offer PLTW courses to their students. For more information, visit www.pltw.org.
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Media Contact:
Project Lead The Way
Jennifer Cahill
317.669.0871
jcahill@pltw.org