PROJECT LEAD THE WAY

The District is delighted to announce it is going to receive 2011-12 funding for Project Lead The Way (PLTW). The Middle School should receive $20,000; $15,000 in May and the rest over the next year. The High School should receive $35,000; $10,000 in May and the rest over the next year. The money helps establish the programs at both levels.

PLTW is a program based on the STEM subjects – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. It is a rigorous curriculum that uses a hands-on approach to learning. The students develop skills not only in the STEM subject areas, but also in the areas of innovation, collaboration, and problem solving. It involves applied science and math and focuses on careers that use the skills learned in the courses and units.

Next year the Middle School will implement the Gateway to Technology program. The first two units will be Design and Modeling and Automation and Robotics. Possible future units include The Magic of Electrons, The Science of Technology, and Flight and Space.

Next year the High School will implement the Pathways to Engineering program. This allows students to use three-dimensional modeling software to improve existing products, invent new ones and communicate the products to others. Additional courses that may be implemented in the future include Principles of Engineering and Biomedical Sciences.

By next year, the teachers need to be trained and equipment must be purchased. The training will take place during this summer, and is a very rigorous two weeks. The teachers who are involved are Mike Cunningham, middle school tech ed teacher, and Ed Levy, high school tech ed teacher. Meanwhile, the District needs to purchase the equipment, computers and any related software for the courses.

The District is looking forward to implementing these new programs so the students have exciting new opportunities to explore the field of STEM and to expand their skills. Furthermore, the PLTW courses lay the foundation for many exciting careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

If you have questions, please call the office at 647-6106 or check the district website at www.richland.k12.wi.us.