Careers Conference January 27, 2010

Learning the Engineering Design Process Solving an open-ended problem Building proficiency with a complex app. Working on a team to develop a solution Using the internet to gather data Preparing a portfolio of accomplishments

PLTW is the nation’s leading provider of STEM Education Programs Students are provided with a foundation and a proven path to college and career readiness Students are highly engaged and exposed to typically non-pursued areas of study Programs offer students real world problem solving and critical thinking skills Programs are dynamic, rigorous and emphasize creativity

Clear Focus and Direction To ensure that America succeeds in the increasingly high- tech and high-skill global economy by partnering with middle schools and high schools to prepare students to be the most innovative and productive in the world. Vision To ignite the spark of ingenuity, creativity and imagination within all of our students. Mission

Continuous Growth and Achievement PLTW continues to grow at a compound annual rate greater than 20% Founded by Dick Blais and Richard Liebich Started in 11 schools in upstate New York Today, PLTW serves 300,000 students Adopted by districts in all 50 states

The Challenge 1.Raise Awareness Improve college admissions in STEM programs 2.Increase Readiness Enhance preparedness for college-level work 3.Improve Retention Motivate STEM majors to complete their study

Core Goals 1.Ensure Adequate Resources Raise $50M from partners by Support Growth Implement in 10,000 schools by Maintain Quality Sustain leading reputation w/ quality standards

The Target Student Middle school or early high school Shows an interest in STEM career fields An aptitude for art and design concepts Enjoys working with computers Learns best with “hands-on” instruction

Curriculum Programs

Biomedical Sciences Program High School: Biomedical Sciences –4 courses Engineering Programs Middle School: Gateway To Technology –6 units High School: Pathway To Engineering –8 courses

Biomedical Sciences Program Foundation Courses Principles of the Biomedical Sciences Human Body Systems Medical Interventions Capstone Course Biomedical Innovation

Biomedical Sciences Program Summary of Program Requirements Schools must offer all four PLTW courses in sequence. All PLTW courses require concurrent enrollment in college preparatory mathematics and science courses. All PLTW courses are designed as year-long courses on a standard minute schedule.

Gateway To Technology Program Basic Units Design and Modeling Automation and Robotics Energy and the Environment Advanced Units Flight and Space Science of Technology Magic of Electrons

Gateway To Technology Program Summary of Program Requirements All GTT courses are designed as nine-week units Schools may offer units from grades six, seven, or eight in a manner they determine reasonable and appropriate for their school The minimum implementation is two units Units may be offered as a science curriculum or as an elective offering

Pathway to Engineering Program Foundation Courses Introduction to Engineering Design Principles Of Engineering Digital Electronics Specialization Courses Aerospace Engineering Biotechnical Engineering Civil Engineering and Architecture Computer Integrated Manufacturing Capstone Course Engineering Design and Development

Pathway to Engineering Program Summary of Program Requirements Schools must offer a minimum of four PLTW courses –The three foundation courses plus one additional Concurrent enrollment in college preparatory mathematics is required All courses are year-long courses Schools may determine their own implementation sequence

Professional Development

State Leaders and Affiliates Counselors and Administrators Teachers

Teacher Professional Development Readiness Training Core Training Ongoing Training

readiness training Designed to develop a baseline for all teachers prior to attending Core Training through the assessment of skill sets and delivery of any necessary remedial training.

core training Lovingly referred to as PLTW’s “boot camp,” this intense training focuses on the PLTW teaching model and course content.

core training Designed to empower teachers with the confidence, understanding, and knowledge necessary to teach the curriculum. A teacher is only able to teach a course after successful completion of Core Training.

ongoing training Designed to provide additional training for teachers to further their understanding of related course tools, content, and concepts after the completion of Core Training.

Partnerships

SouthwestNortheastMidwest Biomedical Sciences National Affiliates

Engineering National Affiliates Mountain MidwestSouthwestNortheastWest CoastSoutheast

Strategic Business and Philanthropic Partners FOUNDATIONS EDUCATION INITIATIVES SPONSORSHIPS BUSINESS PARTNERS

Sustainability

"PLTW is preparing students today to be the innovators of the future. For California to remain the innovation leader it is critical for our students to enter into the workforce pipeline that have not only math, science and engineering skills, but are also able to solve problems, work as a team and take risks. PLTW is a program that gives the students the tools they need to compete in the global marketplace.” - Michael Jacobsen, Intel Corporation “PLTW’s track record of preparing students for college engineering programs is unparalleled.” - Jim Knotts, Lockheed Martin “Project Lead The Way plays a vital role in recruiting middle and high school students into engineering fields by offering the resources and professional development needed to support a rigorous pre-engineering curriculum.” - Thomas H. Lane, American Chemical Society The U.S. Department of Education recommends PLTW as “[A]n exemplary program for integrating rigorous and relevant STEM curricula and professional development and improving student achievement in mathematics, science, and English language arts.” “PLTW makes the connection between theory and practice that helps generate interest in math and science and increase overall academic performance.” - Dr. Ronald Bennett, Minnesota Center for Engineering & Manufacturing Excellence “PLTW is one of the most effective science, technology, engineering, and math programs in the country. We haven’t seen another program that engages students the way PLTW does.” - Jim Rahn, Kern Family Foundation We endorsed PLTW because of the network’s “proven curricula and teacher training that allow schools to both improve technical education and excite students about careers in technology fields.” - Lawrence P. Farrell, National Defense Industry Association U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called PLTW “[A] promising program that is both changing the lives of middle and high school students nationwide and helping to build a workforce that meets the needs of the 21st century.”

Sustainability Partnerships – Federal, State and Local Purchasing Power – Equipment, Supplies and Software Program Quality – School Certification Assessment and Evaluation – Student, Course and Program

Getting Started with PLTW

Program Implementation  Gather information  Visit a PLTW school  Register with PLTW  Sign a network agreement  Select a District Delegate  Design an implementation plan  Select and train faculty  Recruit students  Procure equipment and materials  Form a partnership

Program Implementation in Small and Rural School Districts To put it in perspective:  Located in the Southwest corner of WI  Cover 5 Counties (100 miles X 100 miles).  Population: 122,000 people 147,000 pigs and piglets 429,000 cattle and calves 131,000 dairy cows Average of six animals to every person  7 School Districts in the Consortium Largest: Platteville High School=476 students Smallest: Argyle High School=116 students

 Largest Metropolitan Area: ◦ Platteville (9,989) ◦ Prairie du Chien (6,022) ◦ Richland Center (5,165)  Stoplights ◦ Take a guess….

 Each school could implement 2 classes ◦ IED ◦ POE  Add classes by integrating into existing classes  Initially we need to share equipment ◦ Release of liability  Communications is key

 Funding and Sustainability ◦ Kern Family Foundation ◦ Department of Workforce Development ◦ Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board ◦ Carl Perkins  10% Grants ◦ Wisconsin Chamber-Small School Grant ◦ Local funding

 What is working for us ◦ STEMposium ◦ PLTW Scholarship ◦ Business partnership ◦ PLTWposium ◦ 4H Summer Gateway Academy ◦ Newsletter ◦ Business and Education Summit ◦ Legislative Day

Join Us! April 28th for Why STEM (for teachers) 4:30-8:00 in Platteville at the Governor Dodge Convention Center And/Or April 29th for the STEMposium (for students/parents) 6:30-8:00 in Platteville at the Governor Dodge Convention Center

IGNITING IMAGINATION AND INNOVATION THROUGH LEARNING

Is more likely to: Have a firm career plan Pursue a STEM major in college Score higher on national assessments Miss fewer days of school Demonstrate higher achievement in math Be more competitive for admissions

Questions Steve Salter Affiliate Director Project Lead The Way – Wisconsin Milwaukee School of Engineering Darla Burton Educational Consultant Cooperative Educational Service Agency #3