As a Result of Donation by  3M Foundation, Thousands of Students to Gain Access to Nation’s Leading Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Education Program that is Providing Students With a Proven Path to Academic and Career Success in STEM Fields


Clifton Park, NY – Project Lead The Way (PLTW) announced today that 3M Foundation has donated $220,000 to support the launch of PLTW’s leading science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education program in communities where 3M facilities are located around the country.  PLTW’s hands-on, project-based curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking and innovation engages students in STEM fields by helping them connect what they are learning in the classroom to real-life problem solving.  3M, which has a long history of supporting PLTW in communities around the country, is making its first national commitment to PLTW.

“Thanks to 3M, thousands of students are going to have the opportunity to develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are going to be so important to their success in life,” said John Lock, CEO of Project Lead The Way.  “There are so many passionate educators out there who want to offer students a rigorous STEM education program and now they have the funding to make it happen.  We are very grateful for 3M’s generous donation that is going to allow so many kids to discover imagination and innovation through learning.”

Project Lead The Way’s hands-on, project based program engages the hearts and minds of thousands of middle school and high school students through STEM education by helping them connect what they are learning in the classroom to real-life problems.  PLTW students use professional design software in the classroom that allows them to imagine, create and build things like robots and cars, applying what they learn in math and science to the world’s grand challenges.  Studies have shown that PLTW students are more engaged in learning than their peers and more likely to attend college and major in STEM-related fields than non-PLTW students.   

“Project Lead The Way’s rigorous curriculum engages students in STEM education like no other program,” said Robin Torgerson, 3M Vice President Community Affairs.  “This gift reflects 3M’s mission to invest in teachers and opportunities that introduce new methods of learning into the classroom.  PLTW’s program provides students with a proven path to success in academic and career success in STEM fields and we are pleased to be able to donate funds that will enhance the learning experience for so many new students around the country.”

About 3M                                                                                                                                       

A recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M’s core strength is applying its more than 40 distinct technology platforms – often in combination – to a wide array of customer needs. With $23 billion in sales, 3M employs 75,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries. 3M Community Giving consists of product donations and cash grants by 3M and the 3M Foundation and bolstered by employee volunteerism.  In 2009 almost $50 million was awarded to education and charitable organizations.  For more information, visit www.3M.com. 

About Project Lead The Way

Project Lead The Way, Inc., is a national, non-profit organization that is the leading provider of rigorous and innovative STEM education curricular programs used in K-12 schools. The PLTW comprehensive curriculum, which is collaboratively developed by PLTW teachers, university educators, engineering and biomedical professionals, and school administrators, emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, innovation and real-world problem solving. 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. PLTW began in 1998 in 12 high schools in upstate New York as a program designed to address the shortage of engineering students at the college level and has grown to a network of approximately 4,000 middle and high schools in 50 states and the District of Columbia. More than 350,000 students are enrolled in PLTW courses. For more information, visit www.pltw.org.

                                                                                            ###