SEATTLE, INDIANAPOLIS, AND HOUSTON – Project Lead The Way (PLTW) and Amazon Web Services (AWS), supported by SynchroNet, an AWS Advanced Consulting Partner in the AWS Partner Network (APN), launched a collaboration to expand access to software through virtual computer labs utilizing Amazon AppStream 2.0. Through this collaboration, PLTW and AWS are decreasing the dependence on physical computer labs by alleviating technical requirements that limit a student’s ability to access software required for PLTW courses outside of a school setting.
Since 1997, Indianapolis-based PLTW has empowered millions of students to unlock their potential by developing the in-demand, real-world knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in life beyond the classroom. PLTW provides transformative classroom and learning experiences for PreK-12 students offering more than 15,000 programs for students in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science to over 12,000 schools across the U.S.
AWS is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform, offering over 200 fully featured services from data centers globally. Millions of customers – including the fastest-growing startups, largest enterprises, and leading government agencies – are using AWS to lower costs, become more agile, and innovate faster.
Since 2019, AWS and PLTW have collaborated to ensure all students have access to enhanced learning environments by building infrastructure for low-tech schools to access Amazon AppStream 2.0 and other education programs that integrate technology.
“To support our teachers and students in a rapidly evolving world and position them for learning whether it takes place inside or outside of the classroom, we want to enable students to have access to relevant software used in the real world,” said Brian Greiwe, PLTW Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. “PLTW is proud to collaborate with AWS, a leading global cloud provider, and SynchroNet, a global leader in End-User Computing, to provide accessible software for our students and teachers across the nation.”
Organizations and schools both look to SynchroNet to provide leading-edge technology solutions with a high-level of care. They align people, organizations, and partners with the right technology; that means leveraging AWS in the areas which customers can most benefit. They provide the leadership, experience, collaboration, and validated processes vital to success. SynchroNet’s hyper-focus on end-user computing has allowed them to develop proven deployment, operational and automation capabilities supporting government, enterprise and partners globally. “I’m very excited about the collaboration between AWS, PLTW, and SynchroNet.” said Darin Cook, SynchroNet CEO, “There are limitless opportunities to transform the educational experience for PreK-12 students, and this is the first step.”
Joe Wakeman, Director of Technology at Nevada Community School District, Nevada, Iowa was one of the first administrators to access and test virtual computer labs. “Having the PLTW [software] applications used in the curriculum available to us through Amazon AppStream [2.0] has been a game-changer for our offering of PLTW courses. Before we were restricted to a physical lab and the constraints around scheduling that room. Now, we can have those applications available anywhere, at any time, on any device. Especially during times like these with remote learning, we're no longer chained to that physical lab… [We] no longer need to maintain and manage an expensive specialty lab of computers.”
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About PLTW
Project Lead >span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130753632 BCX0"> Way (PLTW) is a mission-driven organization that is transforming the learning experience for millions of PreK-12 students and thousands of 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. Approximately 12,200 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia offer PLTW programs. For more information on Project Lead >span class="NormalTextRun SCXW130753632 BCX0"> Way, visit pltw.org.
About SynchroNet
SynchroNet endeavors to reinvent the way people interact with systems and applications via a culture of innovation, collaboration, care, and discipline. SynchroNet’s hyper-focus on end-user computing has allowed us to develop proven deployment, operational and automation capabilities supporting government, enterprise, and partners globally. As our customers take advantage of the agility, efficiency and scalability of the AWS cloud, we ensure the application distribution, Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), and cloud desktop are architected in alignment with their cloud strategy.