Clifton Park, NY - Project Lead The Way (PLTW), the nation’s leading provider of academically rigorous and innovative STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education curriculum programs for middle and high schools, has been endorsed by the STEM Advisory Council for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a valuable statewide STEM initiative.
Massachusetts Lt. Governor Timothy Murray announced the endorsement of six STEM initiatives altogether during the National Governors Association’s (NGA) Center for Best Practices conference that took place on August 18 in Boston.
“We hope Massachusetts’ endorsement of the PLTW programs will lead to more students in Massachusetts learning the critical thinking, creativity, innovation, and real-world problem-solving skills taught through PLTW courses,” said PLTW President and CEO Vince Bertram. “We have similar goals – PLTW, Massachusetts, and the NGA – of preparing students to be successful in life, work, and a rapidly changing world. We are eager to serve more students in Massachusetts and across the country at this critical time in our nation’s history.”
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, sponsor of the PLTW endorsement application, helps promote and support implementation of PLTW’s STEM education programs in Massachusetts. “Helping teachers learn exciting ways to bring STEM content into their classrooms is one of WPI’s strengths,” said Martha Cyr, Director of WPI’s K-12 Outreach. “We are a technical university with a commitment to making a difference in the education of the next generation, and are pleased to be the state affiliate for PLTW – as the curriculum is both engaging and rigorous.”
At the start of the school year, 4,200 schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, including 26 in Massachusetts, will be offering the engineering and biomedical sciences STEM education programs designed by PLTW. Since 1997, the program has grown with more teachers trained (now 18,500) and more programs implemented every year, often with the help of businesses in communities that contribute to teacher training costs and classroom software and equipment.
The Mass. STEM Advisory Council is working with the Massachusetts Business roundtable to find additional revenue to fund the implementation of more PLTW programs. Nationwide, businesses and philanthropic organizations contribute to PLTW program implementation and student learning experiences by actively participating in projects and career fairs, mentoring students and welcoming students and teachers into the workplace.
About Us Project Lead The Way, Inc., a nonprofit organization with 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt status, is the leading provider of rigorous and innovative STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education curricular programs used in schools. PLTW's comprehensive curriculum has been collaboratively designed by PLTW teachers, university educators, engineering and biomedical professionals, and school administrators to promote critical thinking, creativity, innovation and real-world problem solving skills in students. The hands-on, project-based program engages students on multiple levels, exposes them to areas of study that they typically do not pursue, and provides them with a foundation and proven path to college and career success. More than 400,000 students in 4,200 schools in 50 states plus Washington, D.C., are currently taking PLTW. For more information, visit www.pltw.org.