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Engineering

October techdirections Features Wisconsin 4-H Gateway Academy

pdf icon techdirections Cover Features Prairie du Chien Youth at 2008 4-H Gateway Academy The cover of the magazine shows three youth at the Prairie du Chien 4-H Gateway Academy with three of the projects from the week.

pdf icon Students Geeked About STEM 10-09 (3 pages, 1.25 MB)This article from techdirections highlights some of the student experiences and activities from the 2008 4-H Gateway Academies. Students from Madison and Platteville are featured in pictures in the article. Wayne Brabender was the photographer.

Background Information

What is Project Lead the Way (PLTW)?

Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is a not for profit organization dedicated to preparing middle and high school students for careers in the technical, high wage sector of engineering and engineering technology.

Workforce predictions say that careers in the fields of science, engineering, technology and math will be the high demand jobs of the 21st century.  This is also the kind of work that is critical to state and national economic development. 4-H Youth Development in Wisconsin, as part of the STEM initiative, is partnering with the Kern Family Foundation to encourage more rural schools to adopt the PLTW curriculum to increase youth interest in engineering careers. 

PLTW has developed a high school and middle school pre-engineering and technology curriculum in cooperation with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Educational Foundation.  With support from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and a group of science and engineering philanthropists, over 100 Wisconsin high schools offer Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a nationally prominent pre-engineering and technology curriculum. 

  • Courses in PLTW These are the courses typically included in a high school that has Project Lead the Way.  Some schools may offer all the courses and some schools may only offer one course.
  • word iconBenefits of PLTWSeveral evaluations and follow-up studies document the benefits of Project Lead the Way for students.  This is a summary of some of those studies.
  • Project Lead the Way Video This video can be used with parents, school staff or youth to help explain the Project Lead the Way program.
  • word icon Project Lead the Way Letter of Introduction This letter can be used by 4-H staff to introduce Project Lead the Way prior to a visit or a phone call.
  • Kern Family Foundation Grant Application for Project Lead the Way The Kern Family Foundation offers a grant program for schools that are interested in starting the Project Lead the Way program. This will link you to the grant application website.

4-H Gateway Academy

Movies and Scenes from the 2009 4-H Gateway Academies

For more information about Project Lead the Way:

Wisconsin 4-H Project Lead the Way Coordinator:

If you have any questions about PLTW, please contact:

Debra Ivey
4-H Youth Development Educator / 4-H Project Lead the Way Coordinator
Iowa County - UW Extension
222 N Iowa St, Ste 1
Dodgeville, WI 53533
Phone: 608-935-0391 or 608-574-0568
Fax: 608-935-3024
Email: debra.ivey@ces.uwex.edu

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