Tewksbury Public Schools Receives Grant to Support STEM Learning

Beginning in fall 2024, TMHS will add Project Lead The Way programs to provide hands-on, applied learning and in-depth teacher professional development

Tewksbury Memorial High School announced today that it has received grant funds from the One8 Foundation to offer new applied learning curricular programming from Project Lead The Way (PLTW) that will better prepare students for school and career success. PLTW is a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for PreK – 12 students and teachers through coursework in computer science, engineering and biomedical science.

With PLTW curriculum, students apply what they have learned to solve real-world problems. Tewksbury Memorial High School joins more than 12,000 schools across the country offering PLTW programs to millions of students. 

Receiving the One grant will unlock opportunities to offer students enriched learning experiences and direct connections to real-world applications. It will establish a strong foundation and meaningful ties with engineering professionals. 

Since 2017, the One8 Foundation alongside the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council, the Workforce Skill Cabinet, and the Massachusetts Life Science Center have provided support to expand PLTW programming for students across the Commonwealth to better prepare them for a rapidly changing, data-rich world. PLTW coursework in the areas of biomedical science, engineering and computer science provides students with many of the skills they will need to access opportunities in sectors that are powering the state economy. 

“Students are hungry for experiences that allow them to apply what they are learning to solve real-world, meaningful problems,” said Joanna Jacobson, President of the One8 Foundation. “Providing equitable access to hands-on applied learning programs that deliver academic gains while building critical thinking and complex problem-solving skills ensures students are engaged and interested in school and prepared for success in this ever-changing world.

TPS District Strategy 

The Tewksbury Public Schools Community believes that our educational program will reflect our collective Vision of a Learner. Our consistent observable growth among our students and staff will be evident in the achievement of academic, social, and emotional success in school and far beyond.

Tewksbury Memorial High School will use grant funds to implement its PLTW Principles of Engineering and Engineering Capstone programs. Funds from the grant will support teacher professional development and the purchase of materials and equipment that will be used in PLTW courses. In addition, as a school with PLTW programming in Massachusetts, Tewksbury Memorial High School will have access to a regular set of teacher professional learning opportunities, student project showcases, and connections to industry professionals offered by the Mass Learning Project and the One8 Applied Learning Hub. 

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About the One8 Foundation 

The One8 education team identifies, supports and scales high impact programs and approaches that help schools and teachers prepare students for success in a rapidly changing, data rich world. One8 imagines a future where high-quality applied learning opportunities that make learning relevant, stimulating and rewarding are a regular part of the student experience driving impact for all students. Learn more at http://www.one8.org. 

About One8 Applied Learning Hub 

The One8 Foundation is committed to identifying and funding proven Applied Learning programs that inspire students with innovative, engaging ways to approach core and elective subject matter. At the One8 Applied Learning Hub, we’re here to help Massachusetts schools get the most out of those programs by providing implementation support, educator community building, and student opportunities that help bring their learning to life. The One8 Applied Learning Hub currently supports five programs in the Commonwealth: OpenSciEd, PBLWorks, Project Lead The Way, ST Math, and the Democratic Knowledge Project. Visit www.one8alhub.org to learn more. 

About Mass Learning Project 

Founded in 2023, Mass Learning Project is a fiscally sponsored project of Community Initiatives that is working with the 330+ Massachusetts schools implementing Project Lead The Way (PLTW) programs to ensure that teachers and school leaders have the support they need to deliver classroom experiences of exceptional quality. Mass Learning Project aspires to make PLTW teachers the best supported teachers in the state with the hunger and opportunity to continuously improve the applied learning experiences they offer to students. Mass Learning Project offers robust supports to schools and educators, including implementation guidance, professional learning opportunities, and on-the-ground support. 

About Project Lead The Way 

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 country. 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. More than 12,000 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 http://www.pltw.org.