On Monday, May 11, the School District of Belleville learned that Project Lead the Way (PLTW) had designated it as a Distinguished District. Since beginning to implement Project Lead the Way in 2015, this is the first Distinguished District award that Belleville has earned.
For the 2019-20 school year, the School District of Belleville joins just three other Wisconsin school districts with this distinction and is by far the smallest school district in this select group.
For the 2019-20 school year, the School District of Belleville joins just three other Wisconsin school districts with this distinction and is by far the smallest school district in this select group.
The Project Lead the Way recognition program is designed to honor districts and schools committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs.
In the School District of Belleville, students are empowered at a young age- as soon as they start school. Every 4K-5th grade student engages in the Project Lead the Way Launch biomedical, engineering, and computer science modules. All 6th graders participate in the Medical Detectives biomedical course and App Creators computer science course. Julia Xistris, Project Lead the Way Launch Master Teacher and Belleville Elementary School STEM Coordinator, teaches the PLTW computer science modules to students in grades K-5. “We are proud of the work that is being done by the students and teachers to experience a project-based learning curriculum. Project Lead the Way is inquiry-based, and our students are engaged as they collaborate, make connections, and take ownership of their learning.” All 4K-6th educators teach biomedical, engineering, or computer science modules throughout the year. Launch modules and teacher resources are available in both English and Spanish and are fully aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards.
Second grade teacher Kristi Miller enjoys the excitement the curriculum brings to the classroom. “Project Lead the Way was the best part of our day. My students are so engaged and really learn to communicate and problem-solve together. They are able to follow the design process and overcome the challenges they face. I witnessed a lot of perseverance and resilience, which are the keys to 21st-Century learning. As they continue to grow, these skills will strengthen and encourage them to be lifelong learners.”
What better testimonials than the words from second-graders! “I like going through the design process and working together with my friends. I get to hear my friends’ ideas and combine them with my ideas to try and make something awesome! Sometimes we fail, but we keep on trying.” - Hazel
"It was really nice because I could learn how to make things. It is really important to ask people for multiple ideas because one idea may not work." - Aaron
Belleville Middle School students are engaged in Computer Science for Innovators & Makers and PLTW8. High school course offerings include Computer Science Principles, Principles of Engineering (POE), Introduction to Engineering Design (IED), Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM), and Engineering Design and Development (EDD). Ed Neumann, the Project Lead the Way Coordinator for the district and an EDD Master Teacher, responded to the recognition, "There are many skills that are present in all PLTW courses: students collaborate, learn from failure, use STEM principles to solve real-world problems and develop soft skills that better prepare them for post-high school careers and education. The School District of Belleville has students working on these skills from ages 4 to 18 in PLTW courses! It is a tremendous honor that we have earned the designation of a distinguished district. A huge thank you to our community, parents, students, industry partners, and staff for all of their support; without it, this would not have been possible."
Jared Schulting, a 2019 Belleville High School graduate now attending UW-Platteville, noted, "After taking multiple PLTW courses in high school, I realized how greatly each one impacted my life. Not only did they prepare me for my future in college, but they gave me the knowledge and confidence to work on projects around the house. PLTW opened up many different opportunities, from constructing with my hands to writing CNC code, I was able to complete many different projects. I would like to thank the PLTW instructors and the School District of Belleville. Because of their support, knowledge, and dedication toward the program, I have been able to succeed in my work and college experiences.”
Another 2019 BHS grad, Dylan Gratz, added, "Project Lead the Way helped me find my future in STEM as soon as I began high school. Though I had always had an interest in this field, PLTW classes were the first time I got true exposure and experience. These classes in high school, along with Mr. Neumann's guidance, paved the way for my future."
Project Lead the Way President and CEO Vince Bertram had this message for Distinguished Districts.
Belleville Middle School students are engaged in Computer Science for Innovators & Makers and PLTW8. High school course offerings include Computer Science Principles, Principles of Engineering (POE), Introduction to Engineering Design (IED), Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM), and Engineering Design and Development (EDD). Ed Neumann, the Project Lead the Way Coordinator for the district and an EDD Master Teacher, responded to the recognition, "There are many skills that are present in all PLTW courses: students collaborate, learn from failure, use STEM principles to solve real-world problems and develop soft skills that better prepare them for post-high school careers and education. The School District of Belleville has students working on these skills from ages 4 to 18 in PLTW courses! It is a tremendous honor that we have earned the designation of a distinguished district. A huge thank you to our community, parents, students, industry partners, and staff for all of their support; without it, this would not have been possible."
Jared Schulting, a 2019 Belleville High School graduate now attending UW-Platteville, noted, "After taking multiple PLTW courses in high school, I realized how greatly each one impacted my life. Not only did they prepare me for my future in college, but they gave me the knowledge and confidence to work on projects around the house. PLTW opened up many different opportunities, from constructing with my hands to writing CNC code, I was able to complete many different projects. I would like to thank the PLTW instructors and the School District of Belleville. Because of their support, knowledge, and dedication toward the program, I have been able to succeed in my work and college experiences.”
Another 2019 BHS grad, Dylan Gratz, added, "Project Lead the Way helped me find my future in STEM as soon as I began high school. Though I had always had an interest in this field, PLTW classes were the first time I got true exposure and experience. These classes in high school, along with Mr. Neumann's guidance, paved the way for my future."
Project Lead the Way President and CEO Vince Bertram had this message for Distinguished Districts.
