Dublin High School Engineering Academy Gets $35,000 Boost from Chevron

OneDublin.org recently met with Janet Auer (Community Engagement Specialist – Chevron) to learn more about Chevron’s $35,000 Project Lead the Way (PLTW) grant to Dublin High School.  Project Lead the Way is the foundation for Dublin High’s fledgling Engineering Academy.  The $35,000 grant is part of Chevron’s $1.125 program supporting regions near Chevron facilities in Sacramento, Bakersfield, El Segundo and the East Bay Area.  Dublin High was selected in part because of its plan to establish additional industry partnerships to support the expansion of its Engineering Academy program.  Chevron also expects its partnership with Dublin High to include interaction with Chevron engineering staff to bring practical experience into the classroom.

Project Lead the Way science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses are provided at no cost to schools but teacher training, course materials and specialized equipment requires funding.  The Chevron grant will primarily be used for lab equipment and secondarily for training.  Two Dublin High teachers will spend part of their summer in an intensive Project Lead the Way training.  For fall 2010, Dublin High has expanded its course offerings to include Project Lead the Way’s Principles of Engineering course (sophomore year offering).  In coming years, Dublin High plans to expand the selection of Project Lead the Way courses offered to include junior and senior year courses (more details available here).  California High School in San Ramon is another East Bay school offering a Project Lead the Way Engineering Academy that has received funding from Chevron.  Corporate partnerships and expanding enrollment makes programs like Project Lead the Way possible at Dublin High School.

Project Lead the Way programs are currently in place in nearly 3,500 schools, impacting over 300,000 students.  Project Lead the Way “partners with middle schools and high schools to provide a rigorous, relevant STEM education. Through an engaging, hands-on curriculum, PLTW encourages the development of problem-solving skills, critical thinking, creative and innovative reasoning, and a love of learning.”