More than 4,700 middle and high schools across the U.S. have begun implementing a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) program that helps education providers better prepare their students for college and future career success.
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) offers a STEM curriculum through its Virtual Academy that provides students with hands-on activities and real-life experiences. This type of interactive learning allows students to create, design, build, discover, collaborate and solve problems in the STEM field of study, according to PLTW.
"Research shows that the American economy will add 1.2 million new STEM-related jobs by 2018," said Dr. Vince Bertram, president and CEO for PLTW. "It is critical that we equip today's students with the knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills they need to fill these jobs and be prepared for the global economy."
"We're passionate about the industry and what PLTW is doing to prepare these children to be the next great innovators," said Ken Wilson, CEO for CADCAMConnect.com. "The impact their having on these kids is inspiring and is right in line with our mission of people helping people in the engineering community."
The Harvard Graduate School of Education named the PLTW curriculum a "model for 21st century career and technical education." Schools that register with PLTW Virtual Academy will receive services at no cost.
