News Article

College hosts Project Lead The Way institute

 

Ames, Iowa—Fifty middle school and high school teachers (39 from Iowa and the rest from across the country) arrived at Iowa State on July 6 for a two-week Project Lead The Way (PLTW) training institute led by the College of Engineering.

PLTW is a national organization that has developed a pre-engineering curriculum for secondary students that emphasizes hands-on experiences in engineering, design, and technology. It is aimed at attracting students to these professional fields. Teachers must complete a PLTW training institute to teach these courses.

As a PLTW university affiliate, the College of Engineering offers the curriculum training and is also responsible for certifying schools that are part of the program to ensure that the schools provide the necessary resources to students and offer the curriculum at its intended rigor. Eighty-seven Iowa school districts, up from 70 last year, are slated to participate in the PLTW program this fall.

This is the second year Iowa State has hosted a teaching institute. Jim Shahan, adjunct assistant professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, and Loren Zachary, assistant dean for engineering education and professor of aerospace engineering, are leading the training with assistance from four PLTW master teachers. Larry Genalo, professor of materials science and engineering, and Mani Mina, senior lecturer in electrical and computer engineering, are taking the training alongside the teachers to enable them to conduct training next year. Camille Sloan Schroeder, director of precollegiate programs for the college, coordinates the institute.

The College of Engineering is part of a statewide PLTW leadership team that includes the Department of Education, Iowa Economic Development, industry professionals, state legislators, and community college administrators.

---