PLTW – Wisconsin Answering President's Call for Increased Science and Technology Innovation

Feb. 14, 2013 - PRLog -- For the third consecutive year, President Barack Obama used his State of the Union address to call for increased investment in science and technology. More than 40,000 Wisconsin students heed this call each day by participation in Project Lead The Way (PTLW) – an innovative series of middle and high school classes blending science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).  
“I'm announcing a new challenge, to redesign America's high schools so they better equip graduates for the demands of a high-tech economy,” President Obama said. “And we'll reward schools that develop new partnerships with colleges and employers, and create classes that focus on science, technology, engineering and math, the skills today's employers are looking for to fill the jobs that are there right now and will be there in the future.”

Wisconsin colleges and workforce assist in educating, adding value for PLTW students

Wisconsin’s PLTW students today are gaining hands-on training, creating projects and seeing how they have real world implications. The students come from more than 260 schools, the fifth largest total in the nation. Nationally, PLTW courses are offered to 400,000 students in more than 5,000 schools.

“PLTW-Wisconsin applauds the continued focus being placed on science and technology,” said Steve Salter, PLTW Wisconsin affiliate director. “Throughout Wisconsin – from Kenosha to Superior and everywhere in between – schools are partnering with colleges, universities and local businesses to achieve the vision President Obama discussed. Students are making a positive difference in their own lives and are on the way to impacting their state and the world around them.”

A number of STEM-related programs and contests are conducted statewide, but only PLTW offers students the chance to earn college credit. The University of Wisconsin (UW) System allows students who complete certain PLTW high school classes to earn advanced standing credit at UW System schools. Additionally, program credit and/or scholarships are available through Marquette  University, the Milwaukee School of Engineering and many of the UW System and Wisconsin Technical College System campuses.

Many of Wisconsin’s fastest-growing industries and highest-demand jobs are in fields that require a background in science, technology, engineering or mathematics. Project Lead The Way provides students with a rigorous pre-engineering program or a fully developed program in the biomedical sciences using the latest in high-tech computer software.

About Project Lead The Way

Created in response to the expected 15 million engineer and technical worker shortage (according to U.S. Government estimates) in the U.S. by the year 2015, PLTW helps students apply academic engineering and technology concepts in compelling, real-world ways. The program has established partnerships with schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

General information about PLTW can be found at www.pltw.org, while state-specific information is located at www.pltwwi.org. At these websites, school leaders interested in initiating PLTW at their schools may learn more about the program. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Affiliate Director Steve Salter at salters@msoe.edu or 414-277-7255.

Editors Note: To arrange an interview with national state or local PLTW leaders, or receive photos of students participating in PLTW activities, contact Marc Whitney at 262.786.5970.