More than $450,000 was recently awarded to area high schools and middle schools to implement and expand Project Lead The Way pre-engineering programs, bringing total funding for two years to nearly $850,000.

Funding to support PLTW programs is provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, in partnership with Wichita State University; and a U.S. Department of Labor Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development grant.

By fall 2010, students will have the opportunity to enroll in PLTW classes in more than 10 high schools and 20 middle schools in the greater Wichita area.

Arkansas City, Derby, Hutchinson, Newton, Wichita and the Catholic Diocese received funding for PLTW for the 2011 school year. More than 3,500 students are expected to enroll in PLTW classes at these schools in fall 2010.

"Schools have many important programs that are difficult to fund right now," said Jim Means, director, Secondary Career and Technical Education for Wichita Public Schools. "It is gratifying that the Knight Foundation and WIRED grants have helped us provide students with opportunities to strengthen their math, science and communication skills through our Project Lead The Way pre-engineering program."

Wichita State is the Kansas affiliate for PLTW. WSU provides teacher and counselor training and guidance on PLTW implementations and college credit for some PLTW courses.

In July 2010, WSU will offer teacher training for five PLTW courses at the high school and middle school levels.

PLTW prepares students for careers in engineering and related technical fields. The program is offered in more than 3,400 schools nationwide.

PLTW classes offer a rigorous, project-based curriculum that provides students with real-world applications in pre-engineering courses. Students complete hands-on activities where they apply and reinforce math and science concepts, strengthen their communication skills and learn to work on teams.

More information about PLTW is available at www.wichita.edu/pltw.