PORT ALLEGANY — The Port Allegany School District announced that it will offer Project Lead The Way’s (PLTW) PreK-5 program, PLTW Launch.
The opportunity is made possible through a partnership between Ardagh Group, a global supplier of infinitely-recyclable metal and glass consumer packaging, and PLTW, a nonprofit organization that offers transformative classroom and learning experiences for PreK-12 students. The Port Allegany Elementary School is joining more than 12,200 schools across the U.S. providing opportunities for brighter futures for all students.
The elementary school will use funds from the grant to start its PLTW Launch program, a key component of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, and help cover annual program fees, teacher professional development, and required classroom equipment and materials.
Tracy Kio, Port Allegany Elementary principal, said, “The Project Lead the Way grant allows our elementary students to participate in an engaging and authentic learning experience that will inspire them towards career opportunities that otherwise may have been missed.”
This particular PLTW expansion is made possible by a grant from Ardagh, which has a strong presence in the region.
“Ardagh is a major employer in all of the communities in which we operate across the Americas and Europe,” said Paul Coulson, Chairman and CEO, Ardagh Group. “We are proud to employ more than 6,000 skilled people in 24 of our locations. Social sustainability is at the core of our sustainability strategy. We recognize the critical role education, and access to education, plays in ensuring equal opportunities and in building successful, vibrant communities. We expect to invest $50 million over ten years to support education in our U.S. communities. We are delighted to announce our first partnership in this initiative with PLTW and are making an initial investment of $12 million in this multi-year, impactful program. Ardagh’s investment will drive quality STEM education in our U.S. communities that are key to economic development, as well as to our business over the long term.”
Beginning with the 2021-22 school year, the Port Allegany Elementary School will offer PLTW Launch. Studies show that students decide as early as elementary school whether they like, and think they are good at, math and science. Through PLTW Launch, Port Allegany’s students will have access to early opportunities to explore, develop a passion for, and gain confidence in STEM subjects, while developing and applying critical language skills. Whether designing a car safety belt or building digital animations based on their own short stories, students will practice critical and creative thinking, build teamwork skills, and become inspired problem solvers.
“PLTW is proud to partner with the Port Allegany School District to inspire students to excel in math and science,” said Dr. Vince Bertram, PLTW President and CEO. “Together, we’re empowering millions of young people to become inspired problem solvers. We’re passionate about equipping the next generation of students with the in-demand, real-world knowledge and skills they need to go further whatever path they choose.”
PLTW programs also include professional development opportunities that provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students, as wellas collaborative cohort-based opportunities that build lasting professional learning communities. Through PLTW Core Training, teachers will encounter best-in-class experiences that keep them on the forefront of how to prepare students for the demands of tomorrow.
Ardagh Group has pledged $20,000 in funding to the Port Allegany Elementary School for PLTW programs over the next two years. For more information on the Port Allegany Elementary School’s PLTW Launch program, contact Mr. Tracy Kio, elementary principal at 814-642-9557.
