Building A Successful PLTW Program

in a Small, Rural School District

Missouri State PLTW ConferenceWentzville, MONovember 2, 2015

Neta Apple, MSc – PLTW Engineering TeacherHeath Oates – PrincipalButler High School, Butler, MO

Welcome to Butler Missouri!

Butler Missouri Demographics

Estimated median household income in 2013: Butler: $26,445MO: $46,931

Unemployment rate - Bates Co.(April 2015): 6.80% Missouri (April 2015): 5.4 %

Butler Population: 4,219

Bates County Population: 16,584 (down 2.7% since 2010)

Number of farms in Bates County, MO: 1169 (down 13% from 2007)

Butler High School Demographics

Total enrollment: 306

Free and reduced lunch: 52%(MO 46.8%)

Annual dropout rate: 1.9%(MO 3.5%)

Why PLTW ?

Getting Starting

Free registration to a meeting…

One administrator looking for more STEM…

One teacher who is passionate about STEM…

Administrative Issues For Implementation

• Central Office approval

• Funding

• Freeing time in the class schedule

• Freeing staff to teach PLTW

Teacher Issues For Implementation

• Learn as much as possible as fast as possible!

• Work closely with the administration

First Step… Technology Student Association

2014-15 IED: Sorting It All Out… Room Renovation

2015-16 PLTW Launch Implemented

Butler Elementary School

75 - 5th graders this year

Expand program gradually as budget allows

2015-16 Gateway 8th grade Design and Modeling – 30 students 7th grade VEX Robotics – 71 students

2015-16 Intro to Engineering Design 14 students – 7 freshmen, 3 sophomores, 1 junior, 2

seniors

2015-16 Principles of Engineering – 1st year at BHS 3 sophomores, 1 senior

• Never force anyone to teach PLTW

• You’re only as good as your people

• Discipline issues not a problem

• Community support

• “Blue collar” kids

• Publicity!

Administration Triumphs and Pitfalls

Pay attention to the details!

• Order as much as possible in spring!

• Computer access

• Partnership with administration & IT dept

• Educate the rest of the faculty

• Enjoy!

Teacher Triumphs and Pitfalls

Challenges

Advisory Committee

Recruiting Students

Publicity!!

Future Plans

1. Pass Certification!

2. Make PLTW classes weighted

3. Expand awareness of PLTW

3. Student “businesses”

Future Plans

4. VEX Robotics

5. Expand network of mentors

6. Expand PLTW programs

Future Plans

Questions and Ideas?

Clipart Resources

zainabmarnie.wordpress.comscholasticadministrator.typepad.comwellspiritconsulting.comwww.cliparthut.comwww.clipartbest.com4vector.comwww.waldereducation.orgwww.gograph.comwww.clipartsheep.compickyeaterblog.comwww.unitedcountry.com www.bizjournals.com www.skyart.com