UHS earns PLTW grant

The following press release was shared today. Dr. Drolet, Ms. DeMarco, and I have been working diligently on bringing new resources and programs to our community, and we are quite excited to acknowledge this opportunity!

This means that students coming to UHS will, over time, have greater exposure to engineering and technology programs at the intermediate school, and we will have the opportunity to expand our pathways at the high school. This is exciting news!

Mike Rubin, Principal

For Immediate Release                                                       

February 15, 2018

Media Contact:

Kevin Carney, Superintendent of Schools

508-278-8648

Uxbridge Public Schools Receive STEM Career Pathway Capacity Grant

Uxbridge, Mass. (2/14/18) – The Uxbridge Public Schools announced today that it has received a grant to offer high-quality science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs from Project Lead The Way (PLTW). PLTW is a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for K-12 students and teachers through pathways in computer science, engineering and biomedical science. More than 10,500 schools across the country offer PLTW programs to millions of students.

“Our entire team has been committed to partnering and expanding our existing opportunities to ensure that students are prepared for the world that awaits them,” said Kevin Carney, Uxbridge Public Schools superintendent. “That we are able to grow a program to bring even more robust offerings to more students is very exciting.”

Uxbridge High School and McCloskey Middle School are just two of 73 schools across the commonwealth to receive the grant, which is supported by the Administration of Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, the One8 Foundation, and Mass STEM Hub.

“It is essential that we engage our students throughout their K-12 school years with hands-on lessons in science, engineering, computer science, technology and math,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.

Both schools will use grant funds to start and strengthen its PLTW program with PLTW Gateway Programs at the grade 6-7 and biomedical engineering programs at the 8-12 level, over the next three years. For Whitin Intermediate School, the school district will be able to expand technology education programs to build curriculum and offerings for students in Design and Modeling, as well as Automation and Robotics. The Project Lead the Way Gateway program will naturally expand the already established program in Engineering at Uxbridge High School, which includes a four-year engineering sequence that culminates in internship opportunities through partnerships with the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce. Funds from the grant will also support teacher professional development and the purchase of materials and equipment that will be used in the hands-on, activity-, project-, and problem-based courses.

Over the past three years, the Uxbridge Public Schools have earned more than $100,000 in grant money to support district goals and programming.

“We are proud to partner with the Uxbridge Public Schools to empower students to develop the in-demand knowledge and transportable skills to thrive in our evolving world,” said Vince Bertram, PLTW president and CEO. “Thank you to the Governor’s Office, the One8 Foundation, and Mass STEM Hub for making these grants possible and further investing in Massachusetts’s students.”

“These opportunities are relevant, real, and engaging for students across several grade levels, and the skills that students take from these classes will provide them with a strong foundation for the future, regardless of what they study,” Mr. Carney said. “We are grateful for our partners, and we thank them for believing in our programs, students, staff, and community.”

About PLTW

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for K-12 students and teachers across the U.S. PLTW empowers students to develop in-demand, transportable knowledge and skills through pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. PLTW’s teacher training and resources support teachers as they engage their students in real-world learning. More than 10,500 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia offer PLTW programs. For more information on Project Lead The Way, visit pltw.org.