Project Lead The Way has announced NDSU as its newest affiliate partner. NDSU will support the project’s professional development programs, host annual conferences for project school administrators and counselors, provide ongoing support to PLTW schools and offer a variety of student recognition opportunities. NDSU joins approximately 60 other affiliate partners in supporting science, technology, engineering and mathematics, commonly called STEM, education.
”Project Lead The Way is excited to welcome NDSU to our network of outstanding university partners supporting our schools, teachers, and students,” said Vince Bertram, project president and chief executive officer. “Their support in the state of North Dakota and beyond is critical for preparing America’s next generation of problem solvers and critical thinkers.”
The project is the nation’s leading provider of K-12 STEM programs, with more than 6,500 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia offering project courses to their students.
As a part of NDSU’s new partnership, the university will offer teacher training for both engineering and computer science. The partnership will facilitate engagement among schools that offer project programming, NDSU and industry partners who share an interest in reaching students and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. Additionally, the relationship with the project will allow NDSU to expand its reach while providing a connection to schools and teachers that the institution has not had in the past.
“Through this partnership, we are not only prepared to offer training and professional development opportunities for teachers, but we want to be a resource and support for them as they, in turn, educate the next generation of STEM professionals,” said Holly Erickson, NDSU STEM outreach coordinator and project affiliate director.
As a land grant university, part of NDSU’s mission is to serve the state and its people. In becoming an affiliate university, NDSU will give North Dakota teachers more access to training and professional development and, as a result, give students within the state greater exposure to and experience in STEM.
“We are pleased to be partnering with the project to enhance K-12 STEM education across the state of North Dakota and in our region,” said Gary Smith, dean of engineering. “In the College of Engineering, our goal is to educate creative and innovative problem solvers who are prepared to meet the needs of a global society. This partnership is a natural fit to help us attain that goal.”
In addition to Project Lead The Way, NDSU supports a variety of other K-12 programs aimed at getting students interested in STEM. NDSU serves as a local BEST Robotics competition site, as well as one of four regional championships in the nation. NDSU is a Technology Student Association TEAMS competition host site. Also, NDSU runs a variety of after-school clubs and summer camps to engage students in STEM, including TechGyrls – an after-school program specifically targeted at getting young girls interested in STEM.
NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.