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
Clifton Park, NY - Project Lead The Way (PLTW) announced today that students at fourteen Minnesota schools now have access to the nation's leading science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education program through grants totaling $577,958. Middle schools and high schools were able to apply for funds through PLTW’s STEM Implementation Fund (PSIF) which requires schools to prove their commitment to preparing students for the jobs of the 21st century. PLTW partners with leading U.S. industries, professional associations, private and family foundations, and other philanthropic organizations to provide funding to schools through the PSIF. Minnesota schools will begin offering PLTW’s STEM education courses, including Gateway To Technology and Pathway To Engineering, beginning in Fall 2011.
“The economic prosperity of our communities and our nation depend on our ability to prepare today’s students for the high-tech, high-skill jobs of the 21st century,” said Thor S. Misko, interim CEO of Project Lead The Way. “We are grateful for the generosity of our partners from the industry and the philanthropic community who’ve made this grant process possible. We were extremely pleased to receive so many quality grant applications from Minnesota schools and look forward to partnering with them to prepare our nation’s next generation of innovators.”
PLTW provides students with a proven path to college and career success in STEM fields. The hands-on, project-based curriculum shows students how what they are learning in math and science class applies to real-world challenges. Each course emphasizes problem-solving, critical thinking and teamwork – all skills that are in-demand from U.S. businesses and necessary in the 21st century high-tech economy. Studies have shown that PTLW students outperform their peers and are more likely to continue studying STEM-related subjects in college.
Among other things, PSIF grant applicants are required to show that they have visited at least one additional PLTW school; submitted a complete PLTW program budget; coordinated and provided a list of potential community partners; and have or are in the process of developing a computer lab that meets PLTW requirements. Schools use grant funds for teacher training and equipment and supplies for PLTW courses.
There are currently 185 PLTW schools in Minnesota. Schools receiving new funds for the 2011-2012 school year include:
- Carver-Scott Educational Cooperative
- Henry Sibley High School
- Kimball Area High School
- Kingsland Public Schools
- La Crescent Montessori Academy
- Lewiston-Altura High School
- Menahga Public Schools
- Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf
- Minnetonka High School
- Orono High School
- Osakis High School
- Royalton High School
- Valley Middle School
- Waconia High School & Clearwater Middle School
For more information on PLTW’s STEM education program, visit www.pltw.org.
About PLTW
Project Lead The Way, Inc., is a national, non-profit 501(c)(3) 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 1997 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 nearly 4,000 middle and high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. More than 350,000 students are expected to take a PLTW course during the coming school year. For more information, visit www.pltw.org.
###
Posted - April 5, 2011
CONTACT: Sheila Carmody, scarmody@pltw.org
© 2010 minnesota project lead the way