Project Lead The Way Inc. (PLTW) is a national program forming partnerships among Public Schools, Higher Education Institutions and the Private Sector to increase the quantity and quality of engineers and engineering technologists graduating from our education system. First developed in the 1980’s by Richard Blais who was then chairman of the Technology Department of an upstate New York school district, PLTW is now offered in over 45 states and the District of Columbia.

Blais and members of the Technology Department were supported by a Technology Advisory Board that he established in order to gain the expertise of people in industry and to garner support for the changes that were to be implemented in the curriculum. Over the first three years, it became apparent that the high school program was attracting an increasing number of students, many who would not have enrolled in any technology course until college. One of the members of the Advisory Board was an individual whose family formed the Charitable Venture Foundation. Through a grant from the Foundation and through ongoing funding, Project Lead The Way became a national program and increased its rigorous, challenging, hands-on courses. Early on, PLTW became partners with the High Schools That Work initiative of the Southern Regional Educational Board (SREB) with schools in 30 states, and with Rochester Institute of Technology, its first national training center. Today, Project Lead The Way is the nation’s leading pre-engineering middle school and high school program.

A comprehensive organizational structure has been created by PLTW to ensure continued participation and success. Key elements promote support at every level of the program. PLTW provides local, state and national organization for leadership and support, a model curriculum, teacher training and development through its affiliation with some of the nation’s leading colleges and universities, and a network of consultants throughout the country.

We invite you to explore the PLTW website for more information on the curriculum, on implementation, on school certification and college credit for teachers and students, and on much more.