Indianapolis, Ind. – As part of an initiative announced by Dow in November, the company in partnership with Project Lead The Way (PLTW) today announced a second grant opportunity to support elementary and middle schools seeking to implement PLTW programs near five Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). These grants will increase access to hands-on STEM-based curriculum for thousands of students at 15 schools in the 2021-22 school year.
Dow previously announced its commitment to enhance the Black STEM talent pipeline through partnership with Florida A&M University, Howard University, North Carolina A&T State University, Prairie View A&M University, and Southern University, which included an initial grant opportunity for elementary and middle schools near these HBCUs. At that time, PLTW awarded 10 schools with grants supported by Dow to implement programs for the 2021-22 school year. Schools serving grades PreK-8 in areas near the five HBCUs and interested in implementing a PLTW program may apply through PLTW’s website for this second round of funding.
“As a national leader in education, it is our responsibility to create pathways for accessible and equitable experiences for all students,” said Dr. Vince Bertram, PLTW President and CEO. “Dow’s continued generosity and support of PLTW has helped strengthen the Black STEM talent pipeline and provide students from diverse backgrounds increased opportunities to develop key subject matter and transportable skills enabling them to become inspired problem solvers and to pursue critical and enduring career paths.”
PLTW’s programs for younger students – PLTW Launch and PLTW Gateway – incorporate real-world activities, projects, and problems in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science to introduce students to STEM-related career paths while developing valuable, life-long problem solving and communication skills.
“Dow strongly believes in investing to inspire and attract Black students to pursue and excel in STEM education,” said Eunice Heath, Corporate Director of Sustainability at Dow. “We believe our partnership with Project Lead The Way will help support teachers and students near our HBCU partners, which is key to close existing gaps in STEM fields and enhance our diverse talent pipeline, helping to build tomorrow’s innovators.”
PLTW provides PreK-12 schools, teachers, and students with hands-on, interdisciplinary STEM-based curriculum that uniquely prepares students for life and their future careers. Since 2014, Dow has partnered with PLTW to transform STEM education into a driver for innovation, advanced manufacturing, and economic prosperity.
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About Dow
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines global breadth, asset integration and scale, focused innovation and leading business positions to achieve profitable growth. The Company’s ambition is to become the most innovative, customer centric, inclusive and sustainable materials science company, with a purpose to deliver a sustainable future for the world through our materials science expertise and collaboration with our partners. Dow’s portfolio of plastics, industrial intermediates, coatings and silicones businesses delivers a broad range of differentiated science-based products and solutions for its customers in high-growth market segments, such as packaging, infrastructure, mobility and consumer care. Dow operates 106 manufacturing sites in 31 countries and employs approximately 35,700 people. Dow delivered sales of approximately $39 billion in 2020. References to Dow or the Company mean Dow Inc. and its subsidiaries. For more information, please visit www.dow.com or follow @DowNewsroom on Twitter.
About PLTW
Project Lead The 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 The Way, visit pltw.org.
Media Contact
Claire Rice
Vice President of Communications
crice@pltw.org