INNOVATE INDIANA

Exhibit B-4
Project Ownership, Partners & Experience
(Project Type & Readiness)
Project Timeline
Project Experience
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT | SECTION 19
The Project Lead The Way initiative for this region began following the publication of the
Talent Roadmap for Northern Indiana, a 2012 study commissioned by Corporate
Partnership for Economic Growth (CPEG) and conducted by Thomas P Miller and
Associates. In demand occupations for the region include the manufacturing industry
which employs the largest number of individuals, more than 92,800, which is over onefourth
of the total employment available in the region. Northern Indiana's healthcare
industry claims the greatest projected growth potential and second highest regional
employment figures with over 38,100 jobs (2012). An additional 8,600 jobs are expected
to be added by 2022. Opportunities in these strong target industries require at least a
postsecondary credential and not just a high school diploma. In addition, many of these
positions also require a STEM-related skillset and soft skills. These findings emphasize
the importance for higher educational attainment for in-demand occupations in
Northern Indiana. Five counties in the Northern Indiana region (Elkhart, Fulton,
Kosciusko, Marshall and St. Joseph) were selected for a pilot project to leverage $4.4
million in match funding to offset three-year start up costs for every public and private
school to implement PLTW curriculum at every grade level. Prior to this initiative, there
were 26 implementations of PLTW curriculum in the region and the region was losing
business expansion and attraction opportunities because the concentration of STEM
curriculum in schools was not high enough. During the first year of implementation
(2014-15), 43 new implementations were added and projections for 2015-16 include an
additional 40 for a total of 109 of 409 potential implementations. While Phase 1 of this
project has had significant success in early stages, barriers remain due to 1) significant
costs for some schools to upgrade technology and classroom space to meet minimum
PLTW prerequisites, 2) demand from students for additional classes and the necessity
to share equipment and other resources, and 3) limited funding in Phase 1 for more
than basic equipment to further spark the imagination of students. This application
focuses on funding for Phase 2 to help ensure that all classes in the PLTW program
strands (Launch at the elementary level, Gateway for middle school grades, and
Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, and Computer Science at the high school level) can
be fully implemented in all schools by providing necessary prerequisite and specialized
equipment to totally engage students in this unique learning environment. Phase 3
Project Start Date Phase 2: 9/1/2015 (Phase 1 began 3/1/2014)
Project End Date 7/31/2017
Start within 12 months? Yes
Training for each of the Project Lead the Way classes is held each summer.
The classes are then implemented in the school year (August through May).
In the early spring (March) schools survey students regarding interest in classes and
then make decisions in which classes should be added next. Teachers then are chosen
for the new classes and these teachers train in the summer which starts the cycle over
Project Timeline
again.
Year 1 capital expenditures
($) $1,071,233.00
Year 2 capital expenditures
($) $1,281,235.00
Year 3 capital expenditures
($) $1,176,238.70
Once all of the classes have been implemented in each of the pathways offered by
Project Lead the Way (Launch, Gateway, Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Computer
Science) then textbook fees and vocational funding from the State of Indiana can
maintain the programs (as current funding stands.)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE REGION ENGAGED CURRENT TRENDS
STATE OF THE REGION
& QUALITY OF PLACE
VISION & STRATEGY PROJECTS
STAKEHOLDERS, EXECUTION
& STRUCTURAL CHANGES
BENCHMARKING
& MEASUREMENT
7_MC_Project Lead The Way
REGIONALCITIESOFNORTHERNINDIANA.ORG |
232
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT