Banks County Schools will use funds from the grant to support costs associated with starting its PLTW program.
“We are extremely appreciative and excited to receive the grant allowing our students to participate in Project Lead The Way. This will strengthen the hands-on STEM opportunities for students while teaching them problem-solving skills that prepare them for college and career”, stated Assistant Superintendent Joy Edwards.
This opportunity is made possible by support from Huber, a family-owned company committed to donating 1% of its net income annually to not-for-profit organizations and creating community engagement opportunities for its employees worldwide. As part of its strategic approach to philanthropy—Huber Helps—the Company focuses on three pillars: Housing, Education and Wellness, and Environmental causes. These efforts also support the Company’s Sustainability and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals. Partnerships and funded initiatives are intentionally located near Huber sites to create a lasting legacy in communities where Huber employees live. Since formalizing the Huber Helps program in 2018, the Company has donated over $9 million to more than 500 organizations worldwide.
“We’re thrilled that Banks County Schools will be able to utilize this grant to make quality STEM education more accessible to more students,” said Lea Volpe, Vice President of Communications & Community Relations for Huber. “Empowering schools where Huber operates to inspire kids through education is one of the pillars of our global Huber Helps program.”
Beginning with the 2023-24 school year, Banks County Schools will offer PLTW Launch. PLTW programs provide hands-on learning opportunities for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Through PLTW programs, students develop STEM knowledge and, in-demand, transportable skills – such as problem-solving, critical and creative thinking, collaboration, and communication. PLTW provides career exposure and exploration opportunities to help students learn practices and utilize tools employed by industry professionals.
“PLTW is proud to partner with Banks County to bring relevant, real-world learning experiences that connect knowledge and skills to meaningful careers for students,” said Dr. David Dimmett, Interim President and CEO at PLTW. “We believe teachers and administrators play an integral role in inspiring and showing students what’s possible. Together, we can empower students to thrive in the workforce of the future regardless of the career path they choose.”
PLTW programs also include professional development opportunities that provide teachers with the support and resources to devote more time to inspiring students and collaborative cohort-based opportunities to build lasting professional learning communities. Through PLTW Core Training, teachers will encounter best-in-class experiences that keep them at the forefront of how to prepare students for the demands of tomorrow.
For more information on Banks County Schools PLTW program, contact Director of Teaching and Learning, Linda Hawks, at [email protected]
About J.M. Huber Corporation
J.M. Huber Corporation is committed to donating 1% of its net income annually to not-for-profit organizations and creating community engagement opportunities for its employees worldwide. As part of its strategic approach to philanthropy—Huber Helps—the Company focuses on three pillars: Affordable Housing, Education and Wellness, and Environmental causes. These efforts also support the Company’s Sustainability and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals. Partnerships and funded initiatives are intentionally located near Huber sites to create a lasting legacy in communities where Huber employees live. Since formalizing the Huber Helps program in 2018, the Company has donated over $9 million to more than 500 organizations worldwide.
For more information about Huber Helps, visit the Huber Helps webpage.
About PLTW
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a mission-driven organization that is transforming the learning experience for millions of PreK-12 students and thousands of teachers across the U.S. PLTW provides PreK-12 schools, teachers, and students with a hands-on, interdisciplinary STEM-based curriculum that uniquely prepares students for life beyond the classroom through pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. PLTW’s teacher training and resources support teachers as they engage their students in real-world learning. More than 15,000 programs in more than 12,200 schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia offer PLTW programs. For more information about PLTW, visit pltw.org.
Banks County Schools would like to thank Mr. Mark Hunter, who nominated Banks County Schools for the award. Hunter has two children in Banks County Schools.