TOWSON, MD— The Maryland Department of Education (MDE) has fully certified Overlea High School’s Project Lead the Way (PLTW) biomedical science program, paving the way for new curriculum and funding opportunities to support the program’s innovative coupling of hands-on and academic instruction in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) areas.
Overlea is the first school in Baltimore County to have a fully-certified PLTW biomedical science program. The national STEM education program engages students in hands-on activity, project and problem-based learning experiences as well as professional mentorships and workplace experiences to aid in career preparation. PLTW has been touted by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan as a model of success for new career and technical education.
“This program is a great example of using innovation to meet a key academic need—training students in the critical STEM shortage areas,” BCPS Superintendent Dr. S. Dallas Dance said. “I hope to see additional schools achieve certification as we continue to improve our STEM curriculum.”
In order to become certified, schools must meet specific program requirements for teacher training and selection; instruction and curriculum; classroom equipment and software; and school leadership and support. Overlea High School Science Department Chair Natasha Wilson initiated the certification process in the spring of 2012. MDE officials granted certification this month during the second of two site visits.
Certification will enable students in the program to receive college recognition (including credits, scholarships and admission preference) for completing PLTW courses. It will also allow for increased professional development and funding opportunities for the program and its educators.
In addition to high school biomedical science courses, Project Lead the Way also offers project-based engineering courses for high schools and middle schools. For more information about PLTW, go to http://www.pltw.org.
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