Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Announces Partnership with the
Technology Student Association (TSA) and SkillsUSA
New Engineering Alliance to Leverage Best Practices in STEM Education to Attract More Young Students to Technology and Engineering
Clifton Park, N.Y. June 15, 2009 – Project Lead the Way (PLTW) announced today the launch of the Engineering Alliance, a new partnership between PLTW, the Technology Student Association (TSA) and SkillsUSA that will provide PLTW students with the opportunity to participate in innovative activities in science, technology, engineering and math education – outside of the classroom. The alliance will offer STEM-related co-curricular activities for PLTW students to participate in, including online competitions and leadership development activities designed to support teachers and excite students about technology, innovation and engineering. PLTW’s critical thinking and project-based STEM curriculum is currently being implemented at over 3,000 schools and the program reaches over 300,000 students.
“The PLTW curriculum is proof that given the right tools and learning environment, students do get excited about technology and innovation,” said Richard Grimsley, PLTW’s Vice President of Programs. “We are always looking for new ideas and innovative strategies to attract more students to engineering, including co-curricular activities and competitions. Given their combined 75 years of experience in the industry, TSA and SkillsUSA are just the right partners to help us identify new and interesting ways to engage students.”
Available this coming fall, Engineering Alliance will offer a series of classroom-level competitions and leadership development activities designed specifically for PLTW affiliated middle and high school pre-engineering instructional programs. Proposed contests include electronic gaming, solving a design problem with STEM applications, CAD design, and building an engineering model. Leadership activities will feature teamwork, communication and time management.
“We feel our partnership with SkillsUSA, also a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO), is a natural one,” said Rosanne White, executive director of TSA. “SkillsUSA and PLTW share our goal of preparing students for the high tech workforce. TSA is looking forward to collaborating on Engineering Alliance whereby middle and high school students will be challenged to apply what they learn in class through competitions and co-curricular activities.”
“The Engineering Alliance is an exciting step for America’s future workforce,” said Tim Lawrence, executive director of SkillsUSA. “PLTW and TSA are doing a tremendous job of attracting more students to engineering, something our country needs to stay competitive in the global economy. SkillsUSA programs teach student and work force leadership, citizenship and character development – all skills that complement what PLTW students are learning in school.”
Project Lead The Way® (PLTW) is a not-for-profit organization that promotes engineering and biomedical sciences courses for middle and high school students. PLTW forms partnerships with public schools, higher education institutions and the private sector to increase the quantity and quality of scientists, engineers and engineering technologists graduating from our educational system. PLTW's curriculum makes math and science relevant for students. By engaging in hands-on, real-world projects, students understand how the skills they are learning in the classroom can be applied in everyday life. HYPERLINK "http://www.pltw.org/" http://www.pltw.org/
The Technology Student Association (TSA) is a national organization for middle and high school students with a strong interest in technology. TSA fosters personal growth, leadership and opportunities in technology, innovation, design and engineering. Members apply and integrate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts though co-curricular activities, competitive events and related programs. Members are supported by teachers, parents, and business leaders who promote a technologically educated society. TSA serves more than 150,000 students in 2000 schools in 48 states. HYPERLINK "http://www.tsaweb.org/" http://www.tsaweb.org/
SkillsUSA is a national partnership of students, teachers and industry, working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA chapters help students preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations to excel. SkillsUSA has more than 307,000 members in 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia. SkillsUSA is an applied method of instruction and it provides quality education experiences for students. Its national SkillsUSA Championships is an industry-driven competition to improve education. Over 1,100 corporations, trade associations, businesses and unions are partners at the national level. HYPERLINK "http://www.skillsusa.org" www.skillsusa.org
