Preparing Students for the Workplace of the Future

During the 2015/2016 school year, Twin Bridges School was approached by John

Osborne, a local resident and retired high tech executive, who pitched the idea of

making the school the “STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)

Mecca of SW Montana”. He had been in conversations with Dr. Terry Brewer, the

founder and CEO of Brewer Science in Rolla, Missouri, who told Mr. Osborne about

a program called Project Lead the Way (PLTW). This program focuses on hands-on

projects that teach students how to problem solve, work as a collaborative team,

communicate, and be creative in the classroom.

The PLTW program is a nationwide curriculum, spanning all grade levels from pre-

kindergarten to 12th grade, and encompassing three threads: Engineering,

Biomedical Science and Computer Science. It is also synergistic with the Twin

Bridges School philosophy of preparing students for the workplace of the future.

Twin Bridges School was recently awarded a $50,900 grant for it’s Science/PLTW program. These grant funds will be used for the following purposes:

1. Purchase technologies and equipment that will enhance the learning experience.

2. Purchase PLTW modules to expand the elementary offerings.

3. Provide honorarium to recognize outside speakers who come to Twin Bridges for presentations.

4. Provide funding for a STEM career exposition and increased public awareness of the Program’s effectiveness.

5. Provide funds for STEM professional development and attendance at national conferences as presenters.

Congratulations, and a special thank you to John Osborne who first pitched the PLTW idea, and who has given his unwavering support to Twin Bridges Schools.