Project Leads the Way comes to W-MU schools

WINFIELD ? Project Lead The Way (PTLW) is coming to Winfield?Mt. Union High School.

Project Lead The Way is the nation?s leading provider of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs. Through world-class K-12 curriculum, high-quality teacher professional development and outstanding partnerships, PLTW is helping students develop the skills needed to succeed in the global economy.

PLTW Engineering is more than just another high school engineering program. It is about applying engineering, science, math, and technology to solve complex, open-ended problems in a real-world context, explained W-MU Principal Dave Edwards. Students focus on the process of defining and solving a problem, not on getting the ?right? answer. They learn how to apply STEM knowledge, skills, and habits of mind to make the world a better place through innovation.

PLTW students have said that PLTW engineering influenced their post-secondary decisions and helped shape their future. Even for students who do not plan to pursue engineering after high school, the PLTW engineering program provides opportunities to develop highly transferable skills in collaboration, communication, and critical thinking, which are relevant for any coursework or career.

W-MU will be offering Principles of Engineering (POE) beginning with the 2014 ? 15 school year. POE is one of the two foundation courses in the program. The course uses problems that engage and challenge students to explore a broad range of engineering topics including mechanisms, the strength of structures and materials, and automation.

W-MU received a Governor?s STEM grant to offset the cost of the robotic kits used in the course, Edwards said.