MINNESOTA NEWS:

Kingsland students build machines through PLTW curriculum
Kingsland science instructor Jen Orth had her ninth grade students construct machines from two-liter pop bottles, masking tape, cardboard, paper cups, duct tape, paper, string, and metal erector set parts supplied through the school's Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum <more>

Minnesota PLTW Fall 2011– Gearing up for PLTW Frameworks!
Join us at one of various locations September 19-October 24 for a one-day conference about how to successfully use Minnesota’s PLTW curriculum and how it supports student attainment of Minnesota Academic Standards.  We are using a regional conference model, rather than a statewide conference, to provide greater access for our PLTW schools and those schools that may be interested in implementing the program. <more>

Minnesota State University, Mankato and St. Cloud State to serve as co-affiliate engineering universities
Minnesota State University, Mankato and St. Cloud State University have joined in a unique PLTW leadership partnership– both now serve as Minnesota’s co-affiliate engineering universities, succeeding the University of Minnesota. <more>

Agenda set for May 19 - Building Success for Latino Students with Project Lead The Way (PLTW)
Event to be held 10 am -2 pm at Ridgewater Community College Willmar Campus and is free to all registered participants. <more>

Project Lead The Way Announces More Than $577,900 in Grants for STEM Education in Minnesota Schools
Fourteen New Schools in Minnesota to Offer Students the Nation’s Leading
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education Program.<more>

Woodbury Schools Look to 'Lead the Way'
Woodbury and East Ridge hosted education officials this week as the local high schools looked to solidify their standing with Project Lead the Way. <more>

High School Students Prepare for Engineering Careers
Specialty school that focus on a couple specific subjects have become popular at all grade levels.  One of these school is the Center for Engineering, Mathematics, and Science (CEMS).  Students spend their years in senior high focusing on these subjects and preparting for higher education. <video>

Gateway to Technology: Flight and Space Core Training
On February 25–26, 2011, in Shakopee, MN, students and instructors will be given an introduction and training session for Flight and Space. <more>

Minnesota Manufacturing Careers
Learn about a future in Manufacting <more>

Leading the way to better education
High school class works with area businesses; school becomes certified school of engineering through Project Lead the Way. Story from Pequot Lakes Echo <more>

Engineering Students Learn to be Retail Ready
Story from the Mankato Free Press on April 14, 2010 discussing PLTW. <more>

Read the March/April MPLTW Newsletter
Find out information on upcoming conferences and training sessions. <more>


> Certification Power Point
> Minnesota SWE Certificate of Merit Awards Document
> Minnesota PLTW Software Costs for 2011-12 Document
> 2011-12 Purchasing Manual

PLTW OVERVIEW:

Project Lead The Way, Inc., is a national, non-profit organization that is the leading provider of rigorous and innovative STEM education curricular programs used in K-12 schools. The PLTW comprehensive curriculum, which is collaboratively developed by PLTW teachers, university educators, engineering and biomedical professionals, and school administrators, emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, innovation and real-world problem solving. 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. PLTW began in 1998 in 12 high schools in upstate New York as a program designed to address the shortage of engineering students at the college level and has grown to a network of approximately 4,000 middle and high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. More than 350,000 students are enrolled in PLTW courses.
<National PLTW overview>

NATIONAL NEWS:

Welcome to the Innovation Zone!
Watch this exciting Youtube videos of outstanding PLTW programs; please take a look! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbA6D1pmRFI

PLTW Model Schools Nomination Form 2010-11
You are invited to submit nominations for PLTW's 2010-11 Model Schools program. The deadline for nominee submissions is Monday, Feb. 28. <more>

Invitation to Apply for CIM Upgrade Funding
To help high schools fund the recent PLTW CIM curriculum upgrades, the SME Education Foundation will begin accepting grant applications on Monday, February 7, 2011. <more>

PLTW Email Communication Information
PLTW is growing each and every year as new schools enter the PLTW network and established PLTW schools expand their program offering.  With this tremendous growth, effective communication to the PLTW network has becomes more and more challenging. To efficiently communicate with the thousands of teachers, administrators, state leaders, affiliate directors and others that make up the PLTW network, PLTW use an online email platform. While this system gets messages out quickly to our mailing list, unfortunately, some of our emails may be flagged as unwanted and become trapped in email filters. <more>

Tentative Summer Training Schedule
Summer training is now available. Learn when some of the sessions are to begin your preparation. There is not a better way to prepare yourself for the next semester. <more>

STEM Summit 2011
We are pleased to invite you and your students to the upcoming STEM Summit. As always, there is no charge for this event. The event will run from 8:00am–1:30 pm, January 27, 2011. Come join us in a day of fun and learning! <more>

Articulation Workshop
You are invited to join a workshop to learn about and discuss the PLTW high school curriculum and to explore the possibility of this curriculum articulating to college-level technical and engineering programs and courses. <more>

Apply for the Bright Minds Program
It is recommended that faculty with curriculum aligned with those mentioned in the overview would have the highest level of interest. Students that are 16 or older and plan on attending a college, university or technical school are encouraged to participate. The goal of the program is to provide prospective career choices to students within engineering and manufacturing. <more>

Engineering Alliance Open View
Preview Engineering Alliance competitive events and leadership modules free from Tuesday, Nov. 2nd - Thursday, Nov. 4th. Engineering Alliance provides competitions and leadership activities aligned with the PLTW curriculum. It's web-based format allows participation by all PLTW programs and students. <flyer with more information>

Mr. and Mrs. Kern
A remarkable success story of inspiration, determination and as described within the video Robert Kern's tenacity throughout his career. <more>

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Information Sessions are being held in Minnesota
Sessions will be held to discuss PLTW program, its benefits, how you can implement it in your district/schools and funding source for Minnesota schools.  There is no cost for these session and a detailed map and directions will be sent to you after registration. <more>

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