$2 million partnership assists K-12 schools in implementing college- and career-ready programs

On October 30, 2015, Gov. Nathan Deal and the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) announced a significant Innovation Fund Grant to Project Lead The Way (PLTW), a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for K-12 students and teachers across the United States. Through the Innovation Fund grant, schools in Southwest Georgia will have the opportunity to implement PLTW’s K-12 pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science for students. 

Funds from the GOSA/PLTW grant partnership are available to schools in the Southwest Georgia, Coastal Plains, and Chattahoochee-Flint RESA districts for the 2016-17 school year.

"Between now and the year 2020, STEM fields will introduce more than 79,000 new jobs to Georgia,” said Deal. "With this multi-million dollar partnership between Project Lead The Way and the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement in place, schools in the southwestern region of our state will be able to implement strategies that will better prepare our students of today to be our workforce of tomorrow.”

PLTW’s programs in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science engage students in hands-on learning, encouraging them to apply knowledge from a variety of disciplines to address real-world challenges and scenarios. The STEM-based curriculum helps students develop problem-solving strategies, critical and creative thinking, and how to communicate and collaborate. In addition to curricula, PLTW provides teachers with extensive professional development which gives them the support and resources they need to engage and inspire students.

“Project Lead The Way is proud to partner with the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement and districts throughout Georgia to prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in an evolving world,” said PLTW President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Vince Bertram. “We commend Governor Deal for his leadership and focus on increasing student achievement. Together, we are committed to shaping the innovators, creators, and designers of today and tomorrow.”

Applications are accepted through Nov. 15, 2015.