Blackstone Valley Tech Earns National Program Recognition for Third Consecutive Year
Jun 23, 2020 11:25AM ● By Pamela Johnson
(Submitted) For the third consecutive year, Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School (BVT) is recognized as a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Distinguished School for increasing access, engagement, and achievement in the PLTW Computer Science and Engineering pathway.
The national nonprofit organization PLTW serves millions of PreK-12 students and teachers in over 12,200 schools across the country. BVT is one of 143 high schools to receive this designation for the 2019-2020 school year and the only high school in the state to do so consecutively.
"It's always an honor for our school system to be recognized by Project Lead The Way as a Distinguished School," said Vocational Director Dr. Matthew Connors. "I am particularly proud of our students and staff who strive for greatness in all aspects of the curriculum. This accolade is a testament to BVT's sustained approach in delivering quality vocational instruction and the willingness of the students to constantly go the extra mile."
To be eligible for this designation, BVT had to meet the following criteria: offer at least three PLTW courses; of those who participated in PLTW at least 33% took two or more PLTW courses during their high school tenure; and at least 95% of students complete the PLTW End-of-Course assessments; have strategies and procedures in place to support reasonably proportional representation regarding race, ethnicity, poverty, gender.
BVT currently offers six PLTW courses in the Engineering Pathway and has implemented the Computer Science Pathway in its Information Technology program. The second of four courses in the Computer Science Pathway was provided in the fall with the other two classes to roll out in consecutive school years. BVT also plans to move forward with an academic set of courses in the PLTW Biomedical Science Pathway this fall.
The PLTW Biomedical Science introduces high school students to medicine and human body systems and a wide array of biomedical science careers. Throughout the program, students take on the same real-world challenges as biomedical science professionals, preparing them for careers in medical and health-related fields.
The PLTW Computer Science interdisciplinary courses engage students in compelling, real-world computer science challenges. As students work together to design solutions, they learn more than just how to code, developing computational thinking, and communication skills for our increasingly technology-based economy.
The PLTW Engineering empowers high school students to step into the role of an engineer and adopt a problem-solving mindset. Students engage in collaborative, real-life activities like working with a client to design a home, programming electronic devices, or robotic arms and exploring algae as a biofuel source.
"Creating a positive learning community that prepares our students for success in an internationally competitive society through a fusion of vocational, technical, and academic skills is all part of our mission in transforming education," said Superintendent-Director Dr. Michael F. Fitzpatrick. "Being consecutively recognized for the success of our PLTW curriculum is an honor. As our students develop STEM knowledge and in-demand skills that they will use in school and, for the rest of their lives, as successful candidates for the future workforce on any career path they choose to pursue."
About Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School (BVT):
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School serves the towns of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton, and Uxbridge. Located in the heart of the Blackstone Valley, Blackstone Valley Tech creates a positive learning community that prepares students for personal and professional success in an internationally competitive society through a fusion of rigorous vocational, technical, and academic skills. The school’s website is www.valleytech.k12.ma.us.
The national nonprofit organization PLTW serves millions of PreK-12 students and teachers in over 12,200 schools across the country. BVT is one of 143 high schools to receive this designation for the 2019-2020 school year and the only high school in the state to do so consecutively.
"It's always an honor for our school system to be recognized by Project Lead The Way as a Distinguished School," said Vocational Director Dr. Matthew Connors. "I am particularly proud of our students and staff who strive for greatness in all aspects of the curriculum. This accolade is a testament to BVT's sustained approach in delivering quality vocational instruction and the willingness of the students to constantly go the extra mile."
To be eligible for this designation, BVT had to meet the following criteria: offer at least three PLTW courses; of those who participated in PLTW at least 33% took two or more PLTW courses during their high school tenure; and at least 95% of students complete the PLTW End-of-Course assessments; have strategies and procedures in place to support reasonably proportional representation regarding race, ethnicity, poverty, gender.
BVT currently offers six PLTW courses in the Engineering Pathway and has implemented the Computer Science Pathway in its Information Technology program. The second of four courses in the Computer Science Pathway was provided in the fall with the other two classes to roll out in consecutive school years. BVT also plans to move forward with an academic set of courses in the PLTW Biomedical Science Pathway this fall.
The PLTW Biomedical Science introduces high school students to medicine and human body systems and a wide array of biomedical science careers. Throughout the program, students take on the same real-world challenges as biomedical science professionals, preparing them for careers in medical and health-related fields.
The PLTW Computer Science interdisciplinary courses engage students in compelling, real-world computer science challenges. As students work together to design solutions, they learn more than just how to code, developing computational thinking, and communication skills for our increasingly technology-based economy.
The PLTW Engineering empowers high school students to step into the role of an engineer and adopt a problem-solving mindset. Students engage in collaborative, real-life activities like working with a client to design a home, programming electronic devices, or robotic arms and exploring algae as a biofuel source.
"Creating a positive learning community that prepares our students for success in an internationally competitive society through a fusion of vocational, technical, and academic skills is all part of our mission in transforming education," said Superintendent-Director Dr. Michael F. Fitzpatrick. "Being consecutively recognized for the success of our PLTW curriculum is an honor. As our students develop STEM knowledge and in-demand skills that they will use in school and, for the rest of their lives, as successful candidates for the future workforce on any career path they choose to pursue."
About Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School (BVT):
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School serves the towns of Bellingham, Blackstone, Douglas, Grafton, Hopedale, Mendon, Milford, Millbury, Millville, Northbridge, Sutton, Upton, and Uxbridge. Located in the heart of the Blackstone Valley, Blackstone Valley Tech creates a positive learning community that prepares students for personal and professional success in an internationally competitive society through a fusion of rigorous vocational, technical, and academic skills. The school’s website is www.valleytech.k12.ma.us.
