September 14, 2007

Indiana school districts adopt innovative technology courses

Rochester Community School Corp. and Community Schools of Frankfort have adopted Project Lead the Way, a pre-engineering/engineering technology program featuring a four-year sequence of technology education courses. The program, combined with college preparatory mathematics and science courses in high school, introduces students to the scope, rigor and discipline of engineering and engineering technology prior to entering college.

"Project Lead the Way has helped educate and encourage thousands of students to pursue high-tech careers in engineering and advanced manufacturing," said Michael T. O'Hair, associate dean for engagement in Purdue University's College of Technology and co-chairman of Indiana Project Lead the Way. "Getting more students interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and equipping them for the manufacturing jobs of tomorrow are two areas that have been widely identified as key for the economic and competitive success of our state and nation."

Educators in Rochester and Frankfort like what the program offers students.

"Project Lead the Way is a great way to blend practical experience and theory so students get an understanding of what engineering is about," said Debra Howe, Rochester Community School Corp. superintendent. She added that the project-based program and technology complement this year's introduction of New Tech High School for incoming freshmen.

"Parents and students are just thrilled with the program," Howe said.

"Including Project Lead the Way in the curricular offerings at Frankfort High School will provide a tremendous academic advantage to the students who wish to explore the complex interrelationships of STEM," said Kay Rozzi Antonelli, FHS principal. She noted that the school offers an eight-course pre-engineering sequence.

"Project Lead the Way is just one example of the many curricular advancements that Frankfort High School is implementing for the benefit of our students," Antonelli said.

The initiative complements the goals of the work force development program Indiana WIRED, a three-year, $15 million program that combines the business, civic and educational resources of 14 north-central Indiana counties - Benton, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Fountain, Fulton, Howard, Miami, Montgomery, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Wabash, Warren and White - along with the region's colleges and universities, and other key organizations.

One of Indiana WIRED's components is developing a work force with 21st century skills that includes developing and supporting educational models based on STEM disciplines for K-12 students. Resources have been made available through WIRED for equipment and to train local teachers to teach the courses.

Project Lead the Way is a national nonprofit organization that provides engineering and engineering technology education curricula for teachers in middle and high schools. Through collaborations among K-12 education, higher education, state government and industry, the goal of the program is to increase the number and quality of engineers and engineering technologists in the United States.

For more information, visit the Indiana Project Lead the Way Web site at https://www.pltw.purdue.edu/  or the national Project Lead the Way Web site at https://www.pltw.org/.

To learn more about Indiana WIRED, log onto https://www.indiana-wired.net/.

Writers: George Piper, (765) 337-2208, gepiper@purdue.edu

Steve Leer, (765) 494-8415, sleer@purdue.edu

Sources: Michael T. O'Hair, (765) 494-2554, mtohair@purdue.edu

Mark C. Smith, Indiana WIRED project administrator, (765) 494-7273, smith96@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page

To the News Service home page