Project Lead The Way: Introducing Students to STEM Feature
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roject Lead TheWay (PLTW) was founded in 1997 to promote STEM education in elementary, middle and high schools throughout the United States. PLTW offers a variety of classes at Kennedy, from engineering to computer science. Students at Kennedy join PLTW for a unique experience in STEM, getting time to progress research and development skills in the classroom. The classes are based in hands-on, project-based learning. They offer space and resources for students to create something that interests them rather than follow a traditional teaching style. “Project Lead The Way is really unique,” freshman Camryn Meyer said. “I took the Intro to Engineering Design course, and it helped me figure out that I definitely want to do something based in engineering. It was a great class to take as a freshman while I’m still deciding what I want to do with my life.” 15
PLTW challenges students with real world problems and encourages innovative thinking. According to the PLTW website, 92% of high school students believe PLTW furthered their interest in STEM and 70% reported PLTW aided in areas other than STEM. “It was exciting for me to find a position teaching Project Lead The Way classes,” instructor Jake Hemann said. “I try to make it really fun—really project-based. It’s a pretty active class. We do a lot of activities, try and keep it moving.” PLTW classes can be se-
Sonja Woerner lected when registering for classes on Infinite Campus. They count as dual credit and prove to universities that students can handle higher-level STEM courses. “Students get Kennedy and college credit, so it’s a dual credit class,” Hemann said. “They can even help you pass out of some basic college classes in most STEM majors. It’s a one of a kind program and students really feel like they have a leg up in college after taking PLTW classes. It’s big picture.”
