Students put lessons to use in real-life projects

Fairfield High School recently received national certification for the Project Lead the Way program it has offered to students since 2009.

PLTW, a national non-profit organization providing rigorous and innovative science, technology, engineering and math education for middle schools and high schools, lets students apply what they are learning in math and science classes to real-life engineering and technology projects, begin working toward their college degree and gain valuable experience through internships and local business executives who serve as mentors.

Currently, FHS?s PLTW program offers two classes: introduction to engineering design and principles of engineering.

?The beauty of PLTW courses is that our kids get to experience how a formula they learned in math applies to a real project,? said PLTW instructor Rob Mitchell. ?In class, there are few lectures ? kids are building, developing and creating. That is the kind of hands-on experience that will engage more students in fields that they might otherwise never consider.?

FHS Associate Principal Aaron Becker and FHS Principal Art Sathoff said they have seen how the PLTW program draws more students to engineering and technology courses and gets them thinking about college and their career.

Becker and Sathoff said teachers Robert Mitchell and Chris Lee are a critical component of the success of FHS?s PLTW program. Teachers are required to complete an intensive two-week professional development course during the summer before they can teach a PLTW course.

For the complete article, see the Friday, Nov. 19, 2010, printed edition of The Fairfield Ledger.