ORGANIZATION OVERVIEWMISSION<strong>Project</strong> <strong>Lead</strong> The <strong>Way</strong>’s mission is to prepare students for <strong>the</strong> global economy. <strong>PLTW</strong> accomplishes this throughworld-class curriculum, high-quality professional development, and an engaged network.OVERVIEW<strong>Project</strong> <strong>Lead</strong> The <strong>Way</strong> (<strong>PLTW</strong>) is <strong>the</strong> leading provider of rigorous and innovative STEM (science, technology,engineering and math) education curricular programs used in schools. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization,<strong>PLTW</strong> exists to prepare students for <strong>the</strong> global economy through its world-class curriculum, high-qualityprofessional development, and an engaged network of educators, students, universities, and professionals.<strong>PLTW</strong>’s comprehensive curriculum has been collaboratively designed by <strong>PLTW</strong> teachers, university educators,engineering and biomedical professionals, and school administrators to promote critical thinking, creativity,innovation, and real-world problem solving skills in students. The hands-on, project-based program engagesstudents on multiple levels, exposes <strong>the</strong>m to areas of study that <strong>the</strong>y typically do not pursue, and provides <strong>the</strong>mwith a foundation and proven path to college and career success. More than 4,700 schools in all 50 states and<strong>the</strong> District of Columbia are currently offering <strong>PLTW</strong> courses to <strong>the</strong>ir students.HISTORY & IMPACT<strong>PLTW</strong> launched in 1997 in 12 high schools in upstate New York as a program designed to address <strong>the</strong> shortageof engineering students at <strong>the</strong> college level. The non-profit organization has experienced steady growth over <strong>the</strong>years. In <strong>the</strong> 2012-13 school year, more than 4,700 middle and high schools in all 50 states and <strong>the</strong> District ofColumbia offer <strong>PLTW</strong> programs.RESULTS• <strong>PLTW</strong> alumni are studying engineering and technology at five to ten times <strong>the</strong> average rate of all students.• <strong>PLTW</strong> students have a higher retention rate in college engineering, science, and related programs than o<strong>the</strong>rstudents in those areas.• 97% of <strong>PLTW</strong> seniors intend to pursue a four-year degree or higher, whereas <strong>the</strong> national average is 67%.• 80% of <strong>PLTW</strong> seniors say <strong>the</strong>y will study engineering, technology, or computer science in college, whereas <strong>the</strong>national average is 32%.• <strong>PLTW</strong> students achieve significantly higher scores in reading, ma<strong>the</strong>matics, and science than Career andTechnical Education (CTE) students in <strong>the</strong> same schools in similar CTE fields.THE <strong>PLTW</strong> NETWORK