"Project Lead The Way has the best STEM curriculum for schools in the world. We have examined what other countries have to offer, and there is none better within the scope of my experience."
-- Dennis Parker, Toyota North America
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Over the last several years, numerous reports and external organizations have validated Project Lead The Way’s success in engaging the hearts and minds of students. Studies show that students who participate in PLTW programs outperform their peers in school, are better prepared for post-secondary studies, and are more likely to consider careers in STEM-related fields than are their non-PLTW peers.
A study from Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis found that high school graduates who participated in PLTW were three times more likely to major in a STEM field than non-PLTW graduates, and PLTW participation was significantly related to their persistence into the second year of college.
A six-year longitudinal study out of Texas State University concluded that PLTW students were more prepared for and attended Texas higher education institutions at a higher rate, and also scored higher on the state’s mathematics assessment.
PLTW’s K-12 pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science engage students at an early age, equipping them with the knowledge and transportable skills they need to thrive throughout their education and careers. In 2015-16, PLTW programs are reaching students at more than 8,000 schools across the U.S. With your partnership, PLTW can expand access to more students.
Corporations, foundations, and individuals across the country have asked PLTW to assist them in supporting their community schools, building their talent pipelines, and improving the local, state, and national economies.
One very impactful way corporations, foundations, and individuals become involved in supporting PLTW is through the PLTW School Grant Program, which leverages PLTW’s infrastructure to prepare schools for PLTW program implementation, administer competitive school grants, manage all reporting requirements, and support sustainable, quality program growth. PLTW requires no administrative fees; therefore, 100% of donated funds go directly to support schools.
Once schools implement PLTW, they are encouraged to establish local PLTW partnership teams. Partnership teams link a district or school's PLTW program to the community, local economy, and local industry needs. A strong partnership team can make the difference between a program that affects a small number of students and an outstanding program that influences the entire school district, supports workforce development, and makes an economic impact. Partnership teams advocate for PLTW programs and provide resources for the classrooms, mentors and role models for students, local relevance to the program, and guidance for teachers.
Besides joining a partnership team, corporations and their employees can engage with PLTW programs by organizing facility tours for PLTW classes, hosting on-site student competitions, providing job shadowing or internship opportunities for students, providing externship opportunities for teachers, mentoring student project teams, judging student projects, hosting virtual student competitions, participating in career exploration interviews, and developing customized PLTW activities.
Funders and PartnersOver 100 corporations and foundations partner with PLTW to support schools. These include Chevron, Lockheed Martin, Kern Family Foundation, Autodesk, VEX Robotics, Verizon, Bemis, Cargill, The Goizueta Foundation, Toyota, John Deere, General Motors, Dow Chemical Company, SunPower, Dart Foundation, Charles & Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, Lilly Endowment, Georgia-Pacific, Amgen Foundation, Leidos, and many others.
PLTW also has strategic partnerships with organizations and companies that complement PLTW’s work including, the College Board, STEM Premier, and the National Academy Foundation (NAF). Additional PLTW partners include: SkillsUSA, Technology Student Association (TSA), FIRST Robotics, and National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE), the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME), the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), US2020, and 100Kin10.
Nearly 300 universities, college, and research institutions also collaborate with PLTW by helping support the growth of PLTW programs. Of those institutions, 60 serve as PLTW University Affiliates by hosting PLTW professional development training programs and annual conferences for school administrators, teachers, and counselors, as well as providing ongoing support to PLTW schools.
Dr. Rex Bolinger, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer
rbolinger@pltw.org
615-440-8455
The programs in this database clear a high bar. STEMworks reviewed each program against the Design Principles for Effective STEM Philanthropy.
Identify and target a compelling and well-defined need.
Use rigorous evaluation to continuously measure and inform progress towards the compelling need identified.
Ensure work is sustainable.
Demonstrate replicability and scalability.
Create high impact partnerships
Ensure organizational capacity to achieve goals.
Offer challenging and relevant STEM content for the target audience
Incorporate and encourage STEM practices.
Inspire interest and engagement in STEM.
Identify and address the needs of under-represented groups.