MEDIA ADVISORY

For Immediate Release:
January 16, 2012

Media Contact:
Jennifer Cahill, PLTW Director of Communications
317.669.0871 or jcahill@pltw.org

National Education CEO to Visit Washington
Tour includes visits with schools, state policymakers, and business leaders

SEATTLE- President and CEO Vince Bertram of Project Lead The Way (PLTW), the nation's leading provider of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education curriculum will be in Washington this week for a series of stops throughout the state.

Bertram's visit comes on the heels of approval of Senate Bill 5974, legislation that encourages colleges and universities to grant credit to students who complete high school engineering and biomedical courses that use PLTW curriculum. Currently, more than 70 high schools and 44 middle schools offer the engineering and biomedical-based courses. The bill sponsors’ primary intent is to provide young people with a smooth transition to careers in engineering, science, and medicine and to strengthen the state’s aerospace industry by increasing the number of people trained to design and assemble airplanes. Governor Christine Gregoire also wants to increase engineering student capacity in colleges and universities.

Bertram's visit includes a stop at PLTW-affiliated Toppenish High School, recently named a STEM Lighthouse School by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn, as well as a visit to Mead High School in Spokane. There, Bertram will meet with students and teachers, viewing their work first-hand. Bertram will also meet with leaders at Washington State University-Spokane, as well as various state policy makers and business leaders.

Bertram will be available for interviews, and access to students and teachers will also be available.

Times and locations are:

Tuesday, January 17
5-7 p.m.
Toppenish High School
141 Ward Rd.
Toppenish, Wash.

Wednesday, January 18
6:30 p.m.
Mead High School Theatre
302 W. Hastings Rd.
Spokane, Wash.

For more information or to arrange for a visit, contact PLTW Director of Communications Jennifer Cahill.

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About PLTW
Project Lead The Way, Inc., a nonprofit organization with 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt status, is the leading provider of rigorous and innovative STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education curricular programs used in schools. PLTW's comprehensive curriculum has been collaboratively designed by PLTW teachers, university educators, engineering and biomedical professionals, and school administrators to promote critical thinking, creativity, innovation and real-world problem solving skills in students. The hands-on, project-based program engages students on multiple levels, exposes them to areas of study that they typically do not pursue, and provides them with a foundation and proven path to college and career success. More than 4,200 schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia are currently offering PLTW courses to their students. For more information, visit www.pltw.org.