Kenosha School of Technology Enhanced Curriculum (KTEC) announced that it has been recognized as a 2020-21 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School. KTEC has two of the 310 programs across the U.S. to receive this honor for providing broad access to transformative learning opportunities for students through PLTW Launch and Gateway. PLTW is a nonprofit organization that serves millions of PreK-12 students and teachers in schools across the U.S.
“Project Lead the Way, as an educational partner, provides students at KTEC in grades 4-year-old kindergarten through eighth grade with rigorous, highly engaging learning experiences in the fields of engineering, biomedical sciences, and computer science,” KTEC principal Dr. Angela Andersson said. “We are so proud to be one of their Distinguished Schools for the fourth year in a row for both our Launch and Gateway programs.”
KTEC/PLTW Launch teacher Airielle Hodges added: “Classroom teachers and I work hard to make the PLTW program as successful as possible. What I love most about the PLTW Launch curriculum is the student’s high engagement. It makes learning and teaching, consistent and fun!”
KTEC/PLTW Gateway teacher Justin Bublitz added: “I enjoy doing PLTW in my class to provide student’s exposure to curriculum that they wouldn’t normally get. The different PLTW modules allow students to use their critical thinking skills while learning concepts. Seeing them use the design process to solve an engineering problem is also a highlight for me as a PLTW teacher.”
The PLTW Distinguished School recognition honors schools committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs. To be eligible for the designation, KTEC had to have more than 75 percent of the student body participating in the program and had to offer at least two PLTW Launch modules at each grade level during the 2019-20 school year.
Studies show that students decide as early as elementary school whether they like, and think they are good at, math and science. Whether designing a car safety belt or building digital animations based on their own short stories, PLTW Launch students engage in critical and creative thinking, build teamwork skills, and develop a passion for and confidence in STEM subjects.
“It is a great honor to recognize KTEC for their unwavering commitment to provide students with an excellent educational experience despite the unusual circumstances and unique challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presented to the educational landscape this past year,” said Dr. Vince Bertram, President and CEO of PLTW. “They should be very proud of their achievements in unlocking their students’ potential and equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in life beyond the classroom no matter what career path they choose.”
KTEC is part of a community of PreK-12 schools, colleges and universities, and corporate and philanthropic partners across the country united around a passion for providing students with inspiring, engaging, and empowering learning opportunities. For more information about PLTW’s recognition program, visit pltw.org/our-programs/program-recognition.
