Editor, The Daily Clarion

PRINCETON-Sixth graders can use science and math and computer technology to engineer bridges.

And they can test their design in virtual scenarios, solving problems as they learn.

Kids at Princeton Community Middle School are so eager for more, they're willing to use their home-room time for more challenges.

It's an introduction at the middle school level to a national program focused on creating a more diverse group of students to be successful in science, engineering and engineering technology.

It's the beginning level of Project Lead The Way, a national program that includes a network of 200-plus Indiana high schools and middle schools.

North Gibson School Corp. endorsed the program and invested about $122,000 in hardware and software support for PCMS and Princeton Community High School this week.

PCMS has simulated portions of the program in recent curriculum, but the commitment to PLTW this week ties the middle school and high school programs together in the national program..

PLTW cultivates student interest in programs such as engineering design, digital electronics, principals of engineering, computer integrated manufacturing, civil engineering and architecture, biotechnical engineering, aerospace engineering and engineering design and development, according to the project's Web site, www.pltw.org.

The curriculum will be offered next year at the &#8220Gateway to Technology" level at PCMS and the &#8220Pathway to Engineering" level at PCHS.

Students can even test at college level and receive dual credit in some disciplines, according to the Web site.

North Gibson Asst. Supt. Linda Coleman said the program fits well in technical programs. &#8220It gives kids a leg up and an opportunity to come out of school and out-earn their teachers," she grinned.

&#8220It's the type of technology that prepares kids for careers after high school. They can get excited about their future while their still in our schools."

NGSC board president Mark Iunghuhn said the program integrates math, modeling design, computer assisted design and in-depth study with technology. &#8220It's really exciting."

North Posey and Wood Memorial high schools already have the programs in place, said board member Travis Nolcox.

Coleman said PCMS Principal Carolyn Cochren introduced the concept to North Gibson a few years ago.

Cochren said the program made sense to her because of her background.

&#8220I have a business background, with vocational emphasis. I've worked in the business world, and computers and technology have been a part of my interests," she explained.

&#8220Our kids need more access to technology," said Cochren. Three years ago, she got her first glimpse at this model of the project.

Cochren brought the concept to a community meeting in the fall of 2004, where community members, school board members and students saw a demonstration by North Posey students.

There was interest, but no place at that time in the curriculum. When a veteran technology teacher retired, the school took a look at implementing PLTW as an update to the traditional industrial arts curriculum.

&#8220Timing's everything," said Cochren. &#8220As it happened, we had a teacher (PCMS science instructor Mike Motta) who was terribly excited and really interested in moving forward with this. We didn't have to recruit someone. We had someone right in the building, so we secured five high-end computers and transformed a room and Mike has adapted the curriculum to fit what he could give the kids this year."

Cochren said Motta even went to Duke University to get more training in the curriculum, a 9-weeks related arts course.

&#8220Every student in the building has a touch of it," she said.

Cochren and Motta meet with sixth and seventh graders who have excelled in the project t to gauge their interest in using their homeroom time for even more exploration.

&#8220It's demonstrating these kids are thirsting," she observed.

More NGSC vision

Coleman said PLTW is just one way to provide a rigorous curriculum that is relevant to future employment and engaging for students.

She envisions job-related experiences in technology or expanded internships.

Coleman said she recently toured Vincennes University's tech center, where students with associate degrees can move on to jobs with starting salaries of $60,000 to $70,000 a year.

&#8220We need to be developing curriculum that addresses all kids at all levels of academics," she said, whether that path is toward a technical job, associate degree, or bachelor's degree program.

Coleman envisions partnerships with local universities for dual credit courses, a learning lab for distance programs that gives opportunity to students even when staffing on-site isn't feasible.

&#8220Virtual classrooms, field trips, conferences and other opportunities would be available. We want to fulfill the needs of our students and the community."

That includes emphasizing literacy in English and math at the elementary level, technology in learning labs, continued training for teachers and more collaboration in the community.

She admits that the &#8220new future for NGSC" is short on specifics now &#8220because a lot of it is still in the development process."

Tomorrow: A look at PTLW in the classroom.

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