BREEZY POINT, Minn., April 8, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Teachers from across Minnesota will gather this week to discuss, support and improve upon the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum being taught in the state's middle and high schools.
The First Annual Minnesota Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Professional Development Conference is taking place April 9-10, 2008, at the Breezy Point Resort in Breezy Point, Minn. PLTW is a not-for-profit education program that aims to address an engineering workforce shortage by creating interest in STEM subjects at an early age and reducing the attrition rate in college engineering programs.
Teachers and presenters will identify and discuss issues facing STEM education and how to promote its growth. PLTW Minnesota has curriculum implemented in almost 90 middle and high schools statewide, with courses available to nearly 30 percent of high school students and more than 15 percent of middle school students.
"This is an opportunity for educators to converge and talk about subjects that will play a critical role in shaping the engineering base in Minnesota and the United States," said Richard Blais, vice president for state and corporate relations, Project Lead the Way. "Increasing the availability of STEM subjects now will provide a larger pool of future talent for the manufacturing industry in Minnesota and across the nation."
Teachers will take part in information sessions on PLTW courses as well as review how to become certified in the curriculum, a requirement for all PLTW teachers. School administrators and counselors also will be taking part in seminars intended to continue the growth of STEM education in Minnesota classrooms.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected the demand for engineers in America will increase by 11 percent from 2006 to 2016. The lack of skilled workers to fill those jobs threatens to stunt development of new technologies and could weaken economic growth in Minnesota, the United States and around the world.
Project Lead the Way forms partnerships with public schools, higher education institutions and the private sector to increase the quantity and quality of engineers entering the workforce. It seeks to create dynamic partnerships with our nation's schools to prepare an increasing and more diverse group of students to be successful in engineering and engineering technology programs.