Students at Warwick High School will have the opportunity to enroll in a new series of courses over the next three years, thanks to a grant from the Dart Foundation. Project Lead The Way (PLTW) announced today that Warwick High School and one other Lancaster County high school are each recipients of a $35,000 grant to implement the PLTW Engineering program. Pequea Valley High School will also receive funding, as will five other secondary schools in a total of five states.

The program integrates science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts through hands-on, project-based learning, exposing students to real-world learning and preparing them for college and careers. PLTW is the nation’s leading provider of STEM programs, with over 6,500 schools in the U.S. currently offering elementary, middle, or high school programs.

The $35,000 grants will be administered over a three-year period to support costs associated with beginning a new PLTW program, including teacher training, classroom equipment and supplies, and the annual program participation fee.

In addition to Pequea Valley High School and Warwick High School, five other high schools in California, Georgia, Illinois, and Texas are also receiving a grant.

“As a funder of STEM education programs, we look for opportunities that encourage science and math learning as well as career exploration,” said Ariane Dart, trustee of the Dart Foundation. “Project Lead The Way engages students in these disciplines through curriculum that makes these subjects relevant in the classroom and beyond.”

The PLTW Engineering program is designed for students in grades 9-12. At its foundation, the program teaches students to think critically, solve problems, and collaborate with one another to find solutions. Through a series of courses, students learn and apply the engineering design process, use industry-leading technology and software, and study topics such as robotics, aerodynamics and astronautics, biological engineering, manufacturing, and digital electronics. Students often have the opportunity to earn college credit, admissions preferences, or scholarships for completed PLTW courses.

“The Dart Foundation is a critical partner in the effort to prepare more students for the jobs of the global economy,” said Project Lead The Way President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Vince Bertram. “Every student in America deserves access to rigorous, project-based STEM education, and we are extremely grateful to the Dart Foundation for making it available to more students.”

The Dart Foundation is a private foundation established in 1984 by William A. and Claire T. Dart.  Headquartered in Mason, Mich., its core mission is to advance and encourage youth education, primarily in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the nation’s leading provider of K-12 science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs. PLTW’s world-class, activity-, project-, and problem-based curriculum and high-quality teacher professional development model, combined with an engaged network of educators and corporate partners, help students develop the skills needed to succeed in our global economy. More than 6,500 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia currently offer PLTW courses to their students. For more information, visit www.pltw.org.