Project Lead The Way Iowa

Dates Now Set for 2012 PLTW Core Training

The Pre-Assessments for Core Training will be available Wednesday, February 15, 2012 and posted to the Virtual Academy.

Teachers simply need to log in to: www.pltw.org/moodle. They will then need to select Biomedical Sciences or Engineering, followed by the course they intend to train in this summer. It may ask them if they wish to enroll, in which case they should select, “yes”.

The course Pre-Assessments are designed to prepare teachers for successful participation in the Project Lead the Way Core Training Institutes. Teachers must complete a Pre-Assessment for each course they would like to attend. They will not be able to register for Core Training until they have scored a 75% or better on the pre-assessment. If teachers do not score a 75% or better on the pre-assessment, they should review the concepts related to the questions they missed, then re-take the pre-assessment. Each Pre-Assessment contains questions directly related to the course subject matter, as well as general computer and mathematics skills.

Core Training Registration will be open: Thursday, March 15, 2012

Teachers may take the pre-assessment prior to the registration date, since their score will be recorded and saved. When teachers have completed the pre-assessment with a score of 75% they will be able to register for training, on the teacher console, Professional Development. http://extranet.pltw.org/teachers/

The University of Iowa

Sunday, June 17 – Friday, June 29, 2012

Principles of Engineering

Biotechnical Engineering

Civil Engineering & Architecture

Iowa State University

Sunday, July 8 – Friday, July 20, 2012

Gateway to Technology

Introduction to Engineering Design

Digital Electronics

Iowa School Named PLTW 2010-11 “Model School”

It is the list that Project Lead the Way (PLTW) affiliated schools have been waiting for since the application period began more than six months ago. Today, PLTW, the nation’s leading provider of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) curriculum, is proud to announce the 2010-11 “Model Schools” for their leadership in STEM education. Collectively, this year’s 16 model schools encompass the best that PLTW has to offer today’s middle school and high school students: rigorous, hands-on STEM curriculum that inspires students, unlocks their potential, and prepares them for the competitive, 21st Century global marketplace.

PLTW commends this year’s 2010-11 PLTW Model Schools:

• California Academy of Math and Science, Carson, Calif.
• Pike Central High School, Petersburg, Ind.
• Lewis Central High School, Council Bluffs, Iowa
• Carroll County Career and Technology Center, Westminster, Md.
• Bel Air High School, Bel Air, Md.
• Shakopee Junior High School, Shakopee, Minn.
• Blue Springs Freshman Center, Blue Springs, Mo.
• Brooklyn Technical High School, Brooklyn, N.Y.
• Cazenovia High School, Cazenovia, N.Y.
• Central Middle School, Edmond, Okla.
• Tamassee-Salem Middle/High School, Salem, S.C.
• Wando High School, Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
• Foy H. Moody High School Innovation Academy, Corpus Christi, Texas
• Two Rivers High School, Ogden, Utah
• Chilhowie Middle School, Chilhowie, Va.
• Escuela Vieau, Milwaukee, Wis.

“We are excited to recognize these schools for their exemplary work with students on a daily basis,” said PLTW President and CEO Vince Bertram. “Teachers in these classes are inspiring students and unlocking their potential for success and achievement. This work does not happen in isolation. The community, business, and industry partnerships that make this work possible should be commended as well.”

PLTW serves a total of 4,200 schools across the country in all 50 states, including the District of Columbia. The 16 schools selected to represent PLTW’s Model Schools serve as outstanding examples of how schools can implement PLTW’s rigorous STEM education program to meet the unique needs of their own community.

Selected schools range in size from large to small, middle to high school. They have high percentages of their overall student population engaged in PLTW courses. There are partnerships in place with business and industry and post-secondary institutions that actively support the curriculum and give students added real-world experience and mentors. Many of the Model Schools have developed a robust student recruitment strategy, and professional development includes teachers and counselors not only attending PLTW summer training programs, but in many cases, taking an active role in leading them. Finally, these schools provide their students with the opportunity to work with local community members and businesses to solve meaningful problems.

Please join us in congratulating the 2010-11 PLTW Model Schools. To visit a PLTW school or to arrange for an interview, please contact Jennifer Cahill at 812-483-5124or jcahill@pltw.org.

2011 Iowa Space Grant Consortium Partner School Program

The Iowa Space Grant Consortium (ISGC) is excited to announce the seventh round of an exciting opportunity for Iowa educators with a new twist. The ISGC is sponsoring a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) School partnership to help connect schools to learning opportunities that move the NASA mission forward and increase awareness of STEM careers, especially at NASA.

In the past ISGC determined the professional development opportunities that teachers could apply for but this year we are allowing teachers to identify the professional development that best serves their needs as well as links with the ISGC mission. The change will allow partners to tailor their professional development based on their needs and interests.

One of the reasons for the change is the 50th Anniversary of NASA Education that will be celebrated in a big way at NSTA’s National Conference in San Francisco, CA March . NASA will have sessions going each day, a large presence in the exhibit hall, and other special events to commemorate 50 years of NASA Education. To learn more about the NSTA National Conference go to www.nsta.org and follow the Conferences & Institutes links to the 2011 National Conference: San Francisco.

To get the application packet for the program go to ISGC’s web page
Click on The ISGC Partner Schools program Application or just click here!

Please consider applying. If you have any questions please contact Jay Staker at jstaker@iastate.edu