May 13, 2024

Stevensville Middle School Receives National Recognition for Commitment to Empowering Students

Photo:  STEM project with STMS students
STEM project with Stevensville MS students – Contributed Photo

STEVENSVILLE, MD– Stevensville Middle School has been recognized as a Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School for providing transformative learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and making connections to in-demand careers for students through the PLTW GatewayTMprogram. Stevensville MS is one of 148 middle schools throughout the U.S. to receive the honor.

“I am proud of Stevensville’s teachers and particularly Project Lead The Way master teacher Rocco Barletta for using new tools to increase student engagement in STEM education,” said Queen Anne’s County Public Schools superintendent Dr. Andrea Kane. “Our students are acquiring the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in high school and beyond.”
PLTWis a nonprofit organization serving millions of PreK-12 students and teachers in schools throughout the U.S. The PLTW Distinguished School recognition honors schools committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in PLTW programs.

To be eligible for the designation, Stevensville MS had to meet the following criteria for the 2017-18 school year:
– Offer at least one PLTW Gateway unit at each grade level;
– Have at least 50 percent of the student body participating;
– Have 25 percent of students advancing to high school participate in two or more units during their middle school tenure.

“The implementation of the Gateway program for middle school students has resulted in high student engagement and a shift in pedagogy. Teachers are adapting to a different way of thinking, instructing and challenging students with the growth mindset,” Mr. Barletta said.
Through PLTW programs, students develop STEM knowledge as well as in-demand, transportable skills they will use in school and on any career path they take. PLTW Gateway empowers students to lead their own discovery and uncover a range of paths and possibilities.

“It is a great honor to recognize Rocco Barletta and Stevensville Middle School for their commitment to students,” said Vince Bertram, President and CEO of PLTW. “They are a model for what school should look like, and they should be very proud of ensuring students have the knowledge and skills to be career ready and successful on any career path they choose.”
Stevensville MSi s part of a community of PreK-12 schools, colleges and universities, and corporate and philanthropic partners across the country united around a passion for providing students with inspiring, engaging, and empowering learning opportunities. For more information about PLTW’s recognition program, visit pltw.org/our-programs/program-recognition.

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~ Queen Anne’s Public Schools

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for PreK-12 students and teachers across the U.S. PLTW empowers students to develop in-demand, transportable knowledge and skills 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. Approximately 11,500 elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia offer PLTW programs. For more information on Project Lead The Way, visit pltw.org.