Milford Public Schools will expand Project Lead The Way programs to provide hands-on, applied learning and in-depth teacher professional development 

The Milford Public Schools recently received $8,000 in grant funds from the One8 Foundation to offer new applied learning curricular programming from Project Lead The Way (PLTW) that will better prepare students for school and career success. PLTW is a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for PreK-12 students and teachers through coursework in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. With PLTW curriculum, students apply what they have learned to solve real-world problems. Milford Public Schools are more than 12,000 schools across the country offering PLTW programs to millions of students.

“The One8 Foundation has provided so many valuable opportunities for the Milford Public School District. We are fortunate to have their partnership and support as we continue to invest in project based STEM programming. Project Lead the Way modules prepare students for the ever evolving STEM world while contributing to the growth of the many soft skills necessary to navigate the world including critical thinking, collaboration and adaptability. By starting PLTW in Kindergarten, we will provide many opportunities for students to engage in modules in computer science, engineering and biomedical science so that they can choose a pathway to pursue in high school and beyond,” said Craig Consigli, Assistant Superintendent for the Milford Public Schools.  

Since 2017, the One8 Foundation alongside the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council, the Workforce Skill Cabinet, and the Massachusetts Life Science Center have provided support to expand PLTW programming for students across the Commonwealth to better prepare them for a rapidly changing, data-rich world. PLTW coursework in the areas of biomedical science, engineering, and computer science provides students with many of the skills they will need to access opportunities in sectors that are powering the state economy.

“Students are hungry for experiences that allow them to apply what they are learning to solve real-world, meaningful problems. Providing equitable access to hands-on applied learning programs that deliver academic gains while building critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills ensures students are engaged and interested in school and prepared for success in this ever-changing world,” said Joanna Jacobson, President of the One8 Foundation.

The Milford Public Schools will use grant funds to strengthen its PLTW programs. Funds from the grant will support teacher professional development and the purchase of materials and equipment that will be used in PLTW courses. In addition, as a school with PLTW programming in Massachusetts, the Milford Public Schools will have access to a regular set of teacher professional learning opportunities, student project showcases, and connections to industry professionals offered by the Mass Learning Project and the One8 Applied Learning Hub.