San Jose, April 19, 2017:  Moreland School District announced that Latimer School has been awarded a $5,000 competitive grant through Project Lead the Way (PLTW) and SunPower Corporation.  PLTW is one of the leading providers of STEM education curriculum programs in middle schools across the country.  

Latimer Middle School currently serves 6th and 7th grade students.  As Latimer expands to include 8th grade in 2017/2018, this grant will provide additional course opportunities & allow Project Lead the Way (PLTW) research-based courses to be more accessible to a greater number of students.  In addition, construction will begin this summer to provide Latimer families with a new middle school building that will include a Makerspace geared toward building students’ competencies and interests in PLTW focused subjects.  Project Lead the Way electives currently include courses, such as Automation & Robotics, Design & Modeling and Energy & the Environment.  

Project Lead the Way STEM electives are currently offered at Moreland Middle School, as well. Through student surveys and elective requests, administrators and teachers have seen the direct impact PLTW programs have on positive student perception toward school and the ability to compete with peers in the areas of robotics, engineering, challenge solutions and more.

“Creating 21st Century thinkers is an important part of Moreland’s Strategic Plan,” said Superintendent Mary Kay Going.  “Computer science is no longer an optional skill for student success in the future, and we’re excited to be able to expand our offering of STEM courses in our middle schools.”

For more information on Project Lead the Way in Moreland’s middle schools, visit: http://www.moreland.org/apps/video/watch.jsp?v=142360 .