Truman Middle School recently achieved National Recognition for Project Lead the Way’s Gateway to Technology (GTT) Program.

The primary purposes of the GTT national recognition program are to recognize schools that have successfully demonstrated a commitment to the quality national standards of the GTT program.

“Truman Middle School should be congratulated for demonstrating once again its commitment to PLTW’s quality standards,” said PLTW President and CEO Vince Bertram. “The real winners here, however, are Truman’s students. Students benefit from PLTW’s innovative, project-based curriculum that encourages creativity, problem solving, and critical thinking.”

Project Lead the Way is a program that features STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education. Seventh graders are introduced to design and mechanics during the semester-long course, and eighth graders go more in-depth with a full year course. They learn about principals of 3D design and basic mechanical concepts, such as how the wheel plays into engineering. In the spring, eighth graders can compete in a contest where they design simple machinery to complete specific tasks.

The Gateway to Technology (GTT) program provides an excellent introduction to PLTW Pathway to Engineering (PTE) courses for grades 9-12. Students from PLTW-certified high schools have the option of earning college credit for their course work.

“The beauty of PLTW courses,” said Truman Principal Sandy Steggall, “is that our kids get to experience how a formula they learned in math applies to a real project. In class, there are no lectures – kids are building, developing and creating. That is the kind of hands-on experience that will engage more students in fields that they might otherwise never consider.”