Administrator Tool Kit Resource Menu

Jump to specific subject headings by clicking on the choices in the above menu bar.

** Community Partnership Teams
Overview and Rationale - What makes a strong partnership team and why one is needed.

Sample Invitation to Outside STEM organizations (Davenport Community School District, IA)
----Places PLTW in national context
----Highlights growing need for STEM workers
----Specifies numerous ways in which invitees can find out more info
----Includes names and contact info of council members

Sample Invitation 1(Madison)
----Situates MMSD's adoption of PLTW within larger context of 21st century skills.
----Describes PLTW curriculum.
----Includes meeting specifics and signatures of important team members (superintendent, and chairperson from community business)

Sample Invitation 2 (Wausau)
----Situates WSD's adoption of PLTW within larger context of 21st century skills.
----Describes PLTW curriculum
----Explains role of advisory board/partnership team
----Includes meeting specifics and contact information

Sample Invitation Insert 1 (Pius): Program Profile
----Describes national PLTW Initiative and its reach
----Describes High School program sequence
----Includes good quotes from PLTW students
----Explains benefits to students
----Gives pertinent contacts and their information

Sample Invitation Insert 2 (Pius)
----Describes national initiative, and school's implementation
----Gives corporations and professions specific ways to participate in the program
Sample Agenda 1
Sample Agenda 2
Sample Minutes

TheProject Lead the Way Community Partnership Team Guide provides suggestions for greater and more effective use of CPTs,
many coming from “best practice” PLTW schools. Each section offers a step-by-step approach. It also includes research and writing
on effective Partnership Teams.

** Recruitment and Enrollment
Overview and Rationale......Why is focusing on recruitment and enrollment early so critical to establishing a successful PLTW program?

School Website
Include a PLTW section or link on your school's website.
Sample: TESLA (WI): http://www.aasd.k12.wi.us/tesla/
-includes logo and highlight certification
-includes links to PLTW website and to each class under Academics menu with descriptions from specific classes, syllabi links, etc.

School or District Newsletter
Write or have students write articles

Sample School Newsletter Article 1--Hononegah High School (IL)
-Front page coverage
-Announces new course being introduced and gives description of the course, including what students do, what areas the students need experience in, and why it is relevant.

Sample School Newsletter Article 1-Danville (IL)
-PLTW is highlighted in several issues
-Pictures of students and teachers engaging in projects
-Reports on projects with Community organizations
-Reports on special event-recent open house
-announces certification and what it means
-announces new class and the work students will do/are doing

Sample District Newsletter 1--P.E.R.F.E.C.T (IL)
-announces new teacher and his professional and academic background
-announces new lab
-recognizes college partner
-uses Project Lead the Way logo

Sample District Newsletter 2-Wausau (WI)
-Announces program
-Contextualizes benefits of PLTW at local and national level
-Highlights benefits for students, including skills and professional opporutnities

Distinctive Course Guidebook
When your school has several PLTW courses, place PLTW sequence on its own page following the math and science offerings

Sample Guidebook 1-Oswego (IL)
-places PLTW sequence in its own section as “Engineering/Industrial Technology”
-describes benefits of sequence for those pursuing college credit/degrees as well as for those who may not pursue further formal education
-includes chart with sequence, courses, and grade levels
-describes each course

Sample Guidebook 2-Oshkosh (WI)
-uses a full page to describe PLTW program and individual courses
-includes logo
-gives visual diagram of foundation courses, specialized courses, and capstone course along with a sample course sequence

Sample Guidebook 3 Corning, IA
- Mentions the college credit opportunity
-Provides description of courses offered in alternate years, allowing students to plan for other PLTW options

Sample Guidebook 4-New Berlin (WI)
-shows relationship of middle school Gateway to Technology program as precursor for high school PLTW program
-identifies courses as PLTW in course listings

Events
Celebrate success and create excitement by hosting student project open houses, facility improvement ribbon cutting ceremonies, certification ceremony,
end of year certificates for participation or receiving college credit, etc. (See special events section for samples and more information).

Media Press Releases
Highlight what happened at summer training, business-student interactions during the year, partnerships or collaborations with other PLTW schools or post secondary partners,
or your PLTW events. (See Interaction with Media: External Press)

Visibility
Ask to put student projects in a display case near the front door or gym, proudly display a PLTW banner and any recognition plaques in a prominent location, have your students
test projects where their friends will see them, etc.

Keep School Board and Colleagues informed
Give updates at school board and staff meetings on your progress successes at regular meetings.
(See School Board Presentations)

Promotional Brochures
Use promotional brochures to educated parents, students, and community members about the benefits of the program.

Sample Brochure 1-Oswego (IL)
-pictures diverse group of students engaged in PLTW projects
-highlights importance of family and community
-describes PLTW, explains benefits of community partnership, and benefits for students learning engineering skills
Sample Brochure 2-Waunakee (WI)
-tailors PLTW informational brochure to specific high school offerings
-gives sample course sequence
-offers answers to frequently asked questions
-gives a student testimonial re: college preparation

Connect with Current and Incoming Students Current Spread the word in your own school o Dottie Barbeau of Waterloo, IL describes her success with this method: “I went into every 9th, 10th, and 11th grade girls' PE classes and gave a 50 minute presentation on PLTW in engineering.
I used the video tape provided by PLTW as well as other resources, brought in models and samples built by current POE students (all boys) and encouraged the girls to consider PLTW when registering
for new courses. Females now represent 20% of our 2007-08 PLTW students.”
o Danville has used their Channel One-TV station for in-house announcements-as a promotion tool.

Sample Letter 1-Monona Grove (WI)
-announces PLTW program
-gives stats re: likelihood of students entering college based on PLTW participation
-mentions potential for college credit
-puts PLTW in national and global context
-gives specific contacts and resources to learn more
-highlights teacher training

Sample Letter 2-Jefferson (IA)
-makes connection between PLTW and math and science courses
-potential to earn transcripted college credit
-highlights 2 new engineering labs and equipment; provides pictures of lab with students
-makes connection to career opportunities
-highlights PLTW's real world application
-highlights student success in PLTW competition
-straightforward coverage of offerings

Sample Letter 3-Green Bay (WI)
-good use of visuals (e.g., PLTW logo)
-concise document (gives a lot of information in a short space)
-describes PLTW and offerings
-highlights university connection
-shows relevance of curriculum and skills
-provides specific contact information

Incoming
Participate in freshman orientation night

Send current PLTW students and teacher to middle school during enrollment period to tell incoming students about the program.
o Michael J. McTaggart of Sioux City Community Schools in Sioux City, IA describes successful recruitment of incoming students: “We will continue to meet with every middle school eighth
grader to promote enrollment in PLTW classes. We have also extended the program to our local Catholic School who will enroll three students to attend classes at the public school closest to their home.”
o PLTW high school teachers ask middle school teachers for the opportunity to speak with 8th and bring high school students do demonstrations

Sample Letter Oswego (IL)
-express interest in bringing high school students for PLTW demonstrations
-gives ideas on where to conduct visit and how long it will take
-gives timeline in relation to when 8th graders will be signing up for freshman courses
-underlines need for recruitment
-includes teacher contact info
-mentions take-home handout for parents

Send direct letters and mailings to parents
Sample Letter Oswego (IL)
-explains significance of PLTW for students' career opportunities as well as specific lifelong skills taught in PLTW
-describes significance of engineering careers within national context
-mentions potential for dual credit
-encourages students to talk with high school counselors early and to consider full sequence

Encourage current female high school students to write to incoming 8th grade females
4 Sample Letters --Prairie High School (IA)
-directly from female high school students to female 8th graders
-describe actual projects completed
-describe positive learning environment
-names specific class
-discuss national and local competitions

Community Partnership Team support
Have your team help organize events or provide additional suggestions to promote PLTW. Make this a standing agenda item and ask for their ideas and expertise.

** Program Guides

Schools in four states were asked to send in their program guides. They were asked to detail the year in which they offer PLTW courses,
a list of any prerequisites, the number of credits they award for each course, and if the course is available for honors credit. The following
spreadsheets were compiled from the participating schools in January of 2008. The purpose for sharing this information is to help draw a picture
of how schools are implementing and valuing each of the PLTW courses and to possibly provide contacts for administrators with similar visions of program implementation.

Wisconsin Program Guide
Minnesota Program Guide
Iowa Program Guide
Illinois Program Guide

** Selecting and/or Recruiting Teachers

Rationale Overview and Rationale...What is important to consider in selecting or recruiting instructors to teach PLTW?

Some technology education programs now incorporate a PLTW emphasis or track that technology education students can take during their undergraduate years.
The following institutions graduate technology education teachers with pre-service PLTW training:

Purdue University
http://www.tech.purdue.edu/It/academics/undergraduate/curricula/te.cfm
Dr. George E. Rogers , Professor Email: rogersg@purdue.edu

St. Cloud State University
http://www.stcloudstate.edu/academics/majors/exploremajors/explore.asp?m=87
Kurt R. Helgeson, Ed.D.
Professor of Environmental and Technological Studies; Chairperson
Email: krhelgeson@stcloudstate.edu

University of Wisconsin-Platteville
http://www.uwplatt.edu/ind_studies/wite.html
Contact; Francis X. Steck, Ph.D.Department of Industrial Studies….. E-mail: steck@uwplatt.edu

University of Wisconsin-Stout
Information about UW-Stout and PLTW
Dr. Brian McAlister, Program Director…….mcalisterb@uwstout.edu
http://www2.uwstout.edu/foundation/preEngineer_inside.aspx

Information about UW -Stout's PLTW Pre-Service Scholarship
http://www2.uwstout.edu/foundation/preEngineering.aspx

A Listing of all universities with Technology Education Degree Programs from ITEA
(The International Technology Education Association)
http://www.iteaconnect.org/Resources/institutionalmembers.htm

A Listing of Technology Education Related Links from the National Academy of Engineering
http://www.nae.edu/NAE/techlithome.nsf/weblinks/NAEW-649JMU

** Interaction with Media: External and Internal Press
Overview and Rationale....Why is it important to interact with the media to promote PLTW?

Sample Internal flyer (Pius XI High school, WI)
----Places PLTW in national context
----Highlights local post-secondary partners
----Well-designed
----Highlights student benefit
----Identifies PLTW team members and their contact info

New program kick-off
Sample Article 1-Waterloo (IL)
-explains how local program originated
-highlights community support as critical component
-includes students photographed with projects

Sample Article 2-Nashwauk-Keewatin (MN)
-highlights connection to workforce needs (skills, retiring population)
-describes “hands-on practical application” as increasing student understanding
-emphasizes course rigor and teacher training
-makes connection to math and science as foundation to courses, and to college programs
-provides specific contact information

Program Expansion
Sample Article 1-Nashwauk (MN)
-announces addition of new course and additional section of current course and provides information about the courses and teacher training
-emphasizes growing student interest in PLTW
-highlights PLTW curriculum's connection to math and science and critical skills (i.e., problem solving, creative thinking)
-mentions external support
-includes comments from teacher and principal
-recognizes community partnerships and expresses interest in finding additional partners

Sample Article 2 -Delavan-Darien School District (WI)
-announces expansion of PLTW into middle school
-emphasizes support of school board and current program success (i.e., enrollment numbers); mentions external support
-explains benefits of middle school Gateway to Technology program as feeder for high school PLTW program in terms of student preparation and interest
-highlights new technology lab

Certification:
Sample Article 1-Western Dubuque, Cedar Rapids and Maquoketa (IA)
-high schools recognized by University of Iowa and Iowa State University as first Iowa schools to establish PLTW program that meet standards
-description of certification process
-lists Western Dubuque's community business partners

Community Connections:
Sample Article 1-- Bemidji (MN)
-gives program description and update; places local high school in larger state context
-describes a recent community event involving student projects
-begins with school district's need for community partners to strengthen PLTW program and gives specific ideas for how individuals or organizations could get involved
-recognizes important role of business and industry in providing input on the program and program's role in preparing future workforce; describes mutual benefits of partnership

Sample Article 2--Watertown (WI)
-announces partnership an upcoming meeting, inviting local businesses and parents to attend
-recognizes outside start-up funding, describing success over 3 years, and need to sustain program
-lists multiple ways community and individuals can provide support
-makes connection between new CIM course and need to keep skilled workers in community
-lists current partners and supporters
-provides specific contact name and info
-describes a relevant student project and competition

College/University Connections:
Sample Article 1--Kirkwood Community College Newsletter (IA)
-introduces PLTW as math and science application curriculum recognized by local industry as part of solution to national staffing crisis
-recognizes gift from business to make program possible in metro area
-makes direct connection between education-specifically PLTW curriculum-and industry needs
-highlights part of PLTW mission that seeks to diversify engineering field
-mentions research showing PLTW increases interest in math and science
-provides specific contact name and info

Sample Article 2-Carl Sandberg ROWVA (IL)
-announces college's Board of Trustee approval to enter into partnership with PLTW and describes that through the partnership Carl Sandberg will
offer dual credit PLTW courses to high school students
-describes program purpose and course sequence

Research Announcements
Sample Article 1-Waunakee (WI)
-tailors state research results to local PLTW program
-acknowledges senator's presence at recent PLTW event as well as students representing school and program

Event coverage (e.g., kick-off and certification events; inviting legislators)
Sample Article 1 re: Conference--La-Salle-Peru (IL)
-post-conference press highlighting PLTW students and their work
-brief program description mention university partner and supporters
-focus on students, their capabilities, and their post-high school ambitions

Sample Article/Brief 2 re: state event-Platteville (WI)
-pictures students with legislator
-describes program in brief

General or Feature:
Sample Articles 1 & 2--Jefferson HS (IA)
Both printed side-by-side in special edition to Sunday paper during national engineers week
1: Complement piece on Engineering Sequence
-Opportunity to position PLTW as solution to engineering shortage
-Brief program description
-Discusses complementary mentoring program organized by local chapter of Society of Women Engineers
-includes photographs of students and teacher
-quote from parent about efforts leading to college preparation

2: Project Lead the Way drives interest in engineering
-feature story on Jefferson HS; focus on relevance and rigor
-explains complementary JETS competition

Sample Article 3-Evanston Township HS (IL)
-describes program with a focus on project-based learning as connected to real-world engineering needs and career opportunities
-mentions college attrition rate for engineering students; PLTW as solution
-mentions intensive teacher training and student national exam
-highlights college benefits
-describes range of students reached

Sample Article 4-Anoka-Hennepin School District (MN)
-describes program as response to national need
-quotes students
-describes how projects and skills learned prepare students for workforce
-explains how PLTW encourages females to consider engineering
-describes growth of the program at the district
-describes research component wherein students look at potential career opportunities
-gives number of students from program who pursued engineering in college

Highland High School, IL: Newsletter Article
-Personal connection with current PLTW student
-Highlights the benefits to students
-Highlights the success of the program at Highland
-Details the full program rollout

Sample Article 5-Government Technology; Mankato (MN)
-places PLTW in national context as confronting engineering shortage, but focuses on a particular school
-highlights rigor and relevance of PLTW as opposed to traditional technology education
-explains how PLTW attracts kids to engineering, and allows them to tailor their strengths to different specializations
-acknowledges difficulty of attracting females to the classes and field, noting great opportunities exist
-highlights need for engineering technicians
-describes connection to middle school Gateway to Technology program

Sample Article 6-Pulaski (WI)
-focused on students
-quotes from administrator, teacher and students
-describes why students are interested in the program
-describes growth of program, and growing number of female students
-describes curricular connection to industry
-recognizes local partnership and university connection

**Interaction With Legislators

Overview and Rationale....Why should we contact our legislators?

Request support for a specific bill to support PLTW or STEM education.
Sample Letter-Monona Grove (WI):
-concise, names specific bill
-states constituent's name, legislative district, and interest in bill (technology education teacher)
-explains support of specific bill as well as concern with it
-states how legislator can represent position and bill, and why

Send an open invitation to legislators inviting them to visit your PLTW classes:
Sample Invitation-Thomas More High School (WI)
-brief (1 page) and specific
-states name, school, and program in opening line
-states number of students impacted in first paragraph
-explains PLTW, mission, and aim to bolster state's future economy
-acknowledges and extends thanks for state's biennium support of program; mentions other sponsors
-gives specific positive points about class including connection to university and local business an industry
-extends standing invitation to class with specific times

Invite legislators to events at your school or larger local and state events where they can learn about PLTW and engage with students
Sample Invitation Email--Thomas More High School (WI):
-describes PLTW event, purpose, and extends invite in opening line
-explains opportunity to interact with students
-mentions students and teachers are constituents in representative's district
-expresses appreciation for past support
-reminds the representative of the significance of supporting the program
-includes event date, location, and teacher contact information

Follow up on events, whether or not representatives attend
Sample Follow-up Letters 1 & 2 (TESLA)
For attending:
-thanks representative for time at event with students
-explains to representative why teacher advocates for PLTW: 1) rigor; relevant skills; opportunities for students beyond high school and
2) accessibility to all schools; current solution to current and future problems; impact
-offers help in expanding PLTW to other schools
-extends open invitation to representative to visit PLTW class

Educate them on what they missed:
-expresses regret that senator could not attend state event
-notes positive outcome for event
-advocates for program for reasons listed above
-offers help in expanding PLTW to other schools
-extends open invitation to representative to visit PLTW class

** School Board Presentations

Overview and Rationale....Why is it important to present to your school board?
 
 School Board Update (Hamilton School District, WI )
----Highlights PLTW’s goals
----Current status of both middle and high school programs
----Simple breakdown of funding
----Projected plans for program


Sample Presentation-Prairie High School (IA):
- Gives national and state perspective:
o PLTW purpose
o MS and HS program description
o Teacher training
o College connections; alliances
-Gives local perspective
o What school is doing
o Visuals of student projects
o Connections to math and science standards
-Future plans
-Time for questions

Humboldt, IA: School Board Presentation
Comprehensive (description of PLTW; situates it in larger education and employment context; overview of PLTW in Iowa;
college recognition; detailed rollout plan; anticipated costs and revenue sources)

Sample School Board Updates-Delavan-Darien School District (WI)
-Format used consistently for presentation and updates including:
o What program is
o What school will do
o Resources/Needed funding
o What is needed for Board of Ed; specific action items

** Special Events
Overview and Rationale.....Why is it important for our school or district to host special events for the PLTW program?

Agenda, Open Invitation, and Special Invitation for One Event in Waterloo, IL
Sample 1-Introduction to Engineering Night Agenda
-involves several different people (curriculum director, teachers, counselors, students)
-uses student testimonials
-recognizes Community Partnership Team
-features current student projects
-provides takeaway materials

Sample 2-Introduction to Engineering Night Open Invitation
-gives a great introduction to PLTW up front, including high-level skills students acquire in courses
-describes course sequence

Sample 3-Introduction to Engineering Night Special Invitation to CPT
-gives general program update
-describes event's purpose to attract 8th grade students as well as to inform high school students and parents
-explains role of CPT member at the function

General Invitations

Sample Invitation —Pius XI High School (WI)

Sample Invitation —Southwestern High School (WI)

Sample Invitation -Morton High School (IL)
-gives date, time, location, and short agenda
-open to public

Sample Invitation -Platteville (WI)
-lists advisory board members
-provides brief description of PLTW
-names activities
-provides pictures of students

Speaker Invitation-Planning Letter
Sample Speaker Invitation-Rhinelander (WI)
-expresses thanks for participation in event
-describes purpose of event
-gives speaker suggestions for questions about engineering career to discuss
-requests time for questions
-gives program details (date, location, time, estimated number of attendees)
-provides contact information
-attaches agenda

Promotional Display at Event
Photo 1 of Promotional Display at Platteville during 8th grade family night
Photo 2 of Promotional Display at Platteville during 8th grade family night
-connects national level PLTW branding to local initiative
-provides space for large photos of your current PLTW students and classes
-Note: these boards are for anyone’s use. They are housed at the Foundation and any grantee school may call
and request to use them by simply replacing the photos of your PLTW classes and students on the board. If you are
interested in displaying them at one of your events, please call the Foundation at 262-968-6838.

Press Release (post-event)
Sample Press Release-Kettle Moraine (WI)
-covers event celebrating program achievement
-recognizes state agencies and representatives present
-highlights community and business partners and their contributions
-emphasizes need for community support and program's role in 'bringing community together to support innovation in public education”
-gives brief description of PLTW and course sequence at the school

** Program Sustainability
Characteristics of a PLTW model site
Project Lead The Way...National Web Site

**Research Supporting Need for Engineering Education

This section provides you with selected articles and resources that offer information and research about the
national shortage of engineers. This information explains how PLTW fits into the national, and in some cases regional,
context, which may help you explain to your community partnership team, your school board, parents, and students
the need for the program and the opportunities that it will open for your students as well as its potential to impact your
local community while contributing to regional and national economic development.

“Engineering Innovation” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. November 2007.
Milwaukee area manufacturers are currently dealing with a shortage of engineers due to retirements and foreign competition.

· Businesses should boost support for Project Lead the Way, which promotes engineering among middle and high school
students.-Journal Sentinel Editorial Board.
· Wisconsin figures predict double digit growth in the engineering profession over the next few years.
· Job openings requiring expertise in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics were expected to increase
by 18.3% by 2014 in Wisconsin, compared to 11.5% nationally.
· Only 21% of the degrees awarded by the UW System and technical colleges focused on science, technology, and
engineering fields.

“Engineering More Engineers” The Business Journal of Milwaukee. November 2007.

Marquette University is building a world-class engineering center, overhauling curriculum and expanding recruitment to meet
future demand for engineers in southeast Wisconsin.

· "Enrollments in engineering around the country have been dropping precipitously for the past 20 years," said Stanley Jaskolski,
dean of Marquette University's College of Engineering. "If this continues, the center of innovation will be moving
dramatically to other parts of the world." For the next century, engineering students will need to know more than theory to
develop products that can compete globally, he said.
· "We believe UWM, Marquette and the Milwaukee School of Engineering all need to work in partnership to address significant
demand for additional engineers and scientists in southeastern Wisconsin," said Tom Luljak, a vice chancellor at
UW-Milwaukee.

“English, Algebra, Phys.Ed … and Biotech.” New York Times. November 2007.

The U.S. is increasingly relying on foreign talent to help make commercial advances. Seeds of innovation are sown in
high school-setting higher expectations can encourage better performance and more students entering key fields.

· The United States, birthplace of most of the great commercial advances of the last 60 years, must increasingly rely
on overseas talent, otherwise known as important brains to maintain an edge.
· Research universities are working to make science and engineering studies more appealing to American students.
High schools can help cultivate a fresh crop of scientists, engineers and lab technicians.
· “Now we're moving back to hands-on, and high school is a great place to begin.” G. Wayne Clough president of the
Georgia Institute of Technology.

“The Changing Face of Globalization.” TIME. November 2007.

Businesses throughout the world are adapting new strategies to work in the growing global market place.

· As manual work becomes more automated and trade barriers, companies chase knowledge workers and efficiency.
· “Your competitors are in your backyard now in a way they never were before,” says Alec Hansen, President of the Economic
Competitiveness Group
· “If we are hearing a mantra today, it's workforce-finding the qualified people,” says Rob DeRocker, executive vice president
of Development Counsellors International.

“Engineering a Blueprint for Success.” EDUCATION WEEK. September 2007.

PLTW is propelling more U.S. students toward engineering careers and is attracting recruits beyond the usual pool of prospective high
school talent.

· Students from Wheaton High School's Academy of Engineering first graduating class in PLTW have gone on to study at
MIT and Cornell, claiming more than $1.6 million in scholarships.
· “What we found was that PLTW offers the best curriculum out there,” Bart Aslin, director of the Society of Manufacturing
Engineers Education Foundation. “It's a pipeline vision to let as many students as possible see the excitement of science,
technology, math.”
· The congressionally chartered National Academy of Sciences recommended that PLTW serve as the national model for
expansion of science and engineering education.
· India will produce twice the number of American and European college graduated combined by 2015, and China will have
even more.

“Innovator fears U.S. losing edge.” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. July 2007.

Robert Kern, the founder of Generac Power Systems Inc., worries that the U.S. increasingly must look overseas for low cost
production, research and development, and entrepreneurialism.

· “There's a gross shortage of engineering talent in the country,” Robert Kern.
· U.S. bachelor's degree awarded in engineering in 2005 was 15% below the 1985 peak.
· The U.S. needs 114,000 engineering graduates per year, but graduates only about 65,000.
· An American firm can hire four engineers in India or five in China for the price of one American with similar training.

“Global vision, Local actions.” Wisconsin School News. June 2007

Project Lead the Way is helping to make significant advances in science and technological education in Wisconsin's middle and high
schools.

· “Helping students prepare for their personal and economic futures through Project Lead the Way can have tremendous benefits
to individual, communities and society,” Gabrielle Banick, coordinator for career and technical education for the Madison
Metropolitan School District.
· Gabrielle Banicks adds, “the program address two major elements in the district's educational framework: student engagement in
their own learning and active use of knowledge in rigorous instruction.”
· “If we become a nation that runs on borrowed brain power, we become intellectually in debt to others. Right now, we have a
shortage of (pre-engineering) students in the pipeline,” Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council.

“Phelps: Education with purpose.” Wisconsin State Journal. April 2007.

Wisconsin needs to address the lack of college graduates in technical fields, as well as quality and relevance of education. PLTW is an
effective solution.

· According to the Wisconsin Technology Council, “Wisconsin needs 150,000 more college graduates to meet the U.S.
per capita income average, and another 150,000 workers with post-graduate degrees to exceed the U.S. per capita income
average.”
· PLTW students learn to understand the scientific process, engineering problem solving, and the application of technology.
To use mathematics knowledge and skills to solve problems. To read, write, listen and speak effectively. To work well with
others.
· A recent survey of four Wisconsin high schools found that PLTW students were 10-20% more likely than non-PLTW students
in the same schools to agree that in the past year they: were encouraged to continue schooling beyond high school; had
developed clear career goals; had solved real-world problems; were connecting ideas or concepts from one class or
subject area to another; had worked on a project or paper that required research outside of assigned texts; and were reading
and understanding challenging learning material.

“Silver linings in the cloud: America's dearth of science, engineering and math students.” INSIDE WISCONSIN. April 2007.

The U.S. must compete in the “knowledge based” economy of the 21st century, and that begins by producing students who embrace
science and engineering.

· “Kids who go through programs such as Project Lead the Way tend to not change their minds about their majors.
They know they like science and engineering.” Benjamin Senson, Madison Memorial High School teacher.
· “We must find ways to excite more students about science and engineering, or we risk our continued success in the 21st century
economy,” Tm Gunkel, president and COO of M.A. Mortenson CO.

“Sexing up Science.” Newsweek. August 2006.

Western educators are shifting their focus from what went wrong with engineering to how to fix it, and make it more appealing.

· India claims to produce more than 300,000 engineers per year--three times the number in the United States
· In middle and high schools, where the spark of scientific curiosity begins, the majority of students can't be bothered to take
advanced math or physics. Enrollment in university engineering programs is stagnating; the dropout rate for graduate engineering
students is a whopping 45 percent.
· “The misperception of science and engineering jobs as geeky, dirty, and dull puts off young people from a bright, exciting and
profitable future,” James Dyson, British inventor and entrepreneur. That's a stark contrast to the developing world, where
science and technology are considered the keys to progress.

Worknet: Wisconsin's Workforce and Labor Market Information System
Click on the link below to gain access to information about county economic statistics and other statewide and metro information
on labor force and employment.

http://worknet.wisconsin.gov/worknet/


"Harvard, Yale Boost Engineering in Race With China"
Bloomberg.com,  May 30, 2008

"High-Tech Japanese, Running Out of Engineers"
NY Times  May 17,2008

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