Bellingham High & Bellingham Memorial Receive National Recognition from Project Lead The Way for Empowering Students
Bellingham High School (BHS) and Bellingham Memorial School (BMS) are now nationally recognized as 2023-24 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished Schools. This honor is given to a select number of middle and high schools across the U.S. for providing broad access to transformative learning experiences for students through PLTW Gateway, a grade 6-8 STEM curriculum along with PLTW Biomedical Science, PLTW Engineering and PLTW Computer Science. PLTW is a national nonprofit organization that serves millions of PreK-12 students and teachers in schools across the U.S.
“Project Lead The Way (PLTW) has profoundly impacted Bellingham Memorial School by revolutionizing STEM education. Through hands-on learning, critical thinking exercises, and exposure to cutting-edge technology, PLTW has sparked interest in STEM among students. Through PLTW, students at BMS have developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for success. They learned how to analyze problems, design solutions, and evaluate their ideas, preparing them to tackle complex challenges. Overall, PLTW has had a transformative impact on Bellingham Memorial School, empowering students with the knowleadge, skills, and confidence to excel in STEM fields and beyond,” says Campano PLTW Lead Launch Teacher
The PLTW Distinguished School recognition honors schools committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs. To be eligible for the designation, BHS and BMS had to meet a variety of criteria such as the percentage of students participating in PLTW, the percentage of students who participate in more than one PLTW unit, the number of PLTW units offered, and efforts to ensure equitable access to PLTW courses.
Research shows that the middle grades play a pivotal role in influencing high school, college, and career success. During this transitional time, it’s crucial to provide students with access to relevant, engaging, and real-world learning experiences that expose the range of career paths and possibilities available to them. Whether designing an automated robotics system or exploring aerospace by creating designs and prototypes, PLTW Gateway students engage in critical and creative thinking, build teamwork skills, and develop confidence in STEM subjects.
“We are honored to recognize BHS and BMS for their commitment to providing students with exceptional educational experiences while ensuring equitable access to PLTW programs,” said Dr. David Dimmett, PLTW President and CEO. “We congratulate them on this achievement and celebrate their dedication to empowering students with the knowledge and skills to succeed, not only in STEM subjects, but preparing them for future careers and life beyond the classroom.”
For more information about PLTW’s Distinguished Program Recognition, visit pltw.org/our-programs/program-recognition. For more information on all of Bellingham’s PLTW Programs, contact Jessica Lorenz, PLTW District Coordinator and BHS Science Teacher, at [email protected]
