Remember questioning your high school teachers about when you would ever use the math or science theory you were learning?
Ansonia High School hopes to start a program next year that would answer those questions for students — and help them get a jump start on careers in engineering.
The program is called “Project Lead The Way.” (Click play on the video above to watch a dramatic movie-trailer type video about the program in one Colorado high school.)
It’s a packaged curriculum in science, technology, engineering and math (also known as STEM), that schools across the country use for students interested in the subjects.
Ansonia High School Principal Susan McKernan pitched the idea to the Board of Education this month.
She said the Project Lead the Way classes would be offered each year for all grade levels, and would end during a student’s senior year with a capstone project.
The courses include topics such as engineering design, principles in engineering and digital electronics.
The school plans to have only one requirement to get into the Project Lead the Way program: that the student took Algebra 1. McKernan said there won’t be a grade requirement to get in because the program aims to attract all types of students who might thrive in the hands-on environment.
“Our believe is that if students are excited about this, interested in this and really want to participate — they can,” McKernan said.
Nitty Gritty
Project Lead the Way started as a program in New York in 1998, aimed at addressing a shortage of engineering students in colleges, McKernan said.
Project Lead the Way provides curriculum materials, and training for teachers who will lead the classes.
McKernan estimated it would cost about $10,000 for the first two years to set the program up. That money is anticipated to come from technology education grants.
It would cost about $500 in supplies each year to keep running the program.
The Board of Education listened to McKernan’s presentation, but didn’t take any vote on the program this month.
Board of Education President John Lawlor said he was impressed by the program.
“Six years ago I would have never thought we’d be doing something like this,” he said. “This is really neat.”
Superintendent Carol Merlone credited the school staff for pursuing the project.
“It’s all the staff members,” she said. “They’re working hard and it’s showing. We’re finally getting some results.”
