American Structurepoint partners with IPS and Project Lead The Way in celebration of 50th anniversary

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett announced today a significant partnership that will expand Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) students’ access to high-quality science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs. In celebration of its 50th year of business, Indianapolis-based American Structurepoint is investing $250,000 in Project Lead The Way (PLTW) programs for IPS. With this partnership, every IPS elementary school, middle school and high school that wants to offer the PLTW programs will have the opportunity.

“Every year our country sees the creation of millions of new jobs in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “If we are not doing everything we can to prepare our students for careers in these innovative fields, we are failing them. Today’s announced investment by American Structurepoint is an important first step in providing opportunities like this to all Indianapolis children.”

“We owe our success to the City of Indianapolis. Without the hard work, wisdom and the excellent decisions of countless civic leaders, elected officials and staff over the past 50 years, our community and our company would look very different. There is no more fitting way to say "thank you" than to invest in our youth,” said American Structurepoint President and Chief Operating Officer, Rick Conner.
Through PLTW, students as young as kindergarten will develop foundational knowledge and skills, not only in vital subjects like math and science, but also in the real-world problem solving, creative and critical thinking, communication and teamwork skills that are essential to success. By implementing PLTW programs at the elementary, middle and high school level, IPS will create K-12 pathways in computer science, engineering and biomedical science that engage students throughout their education, build confidence and ensure that they are college- and career-ready when they graduate.

Through the partnership, teachers who instruct the courses will receive PLTW’s immersive professional development to prepare them to teach PLTW’s hands-on, activity-based courses. In PLTW, teachers act as classroom facilitators and support students in taking ownership of their learning.

"Indianapolis Public Schools is proud to offer a variety of educational opportunities for our students; parents want a wide range of attractive options to choose from," said IPS Superintendent Dr. Lewis D. Ferebee. "This remarkable partnership with American Structurepoint and PLTW will allow us to expand our STEM offerings to benefit students across the district and inspire the next generation of engineers, scientists and leaders in the field of technology."
The partnership begins immediately, and schools will begin offering PLTW at the start of the 2016-17 school year. PLTW and American Structurepoint will work closely with the district to ensure seamless, effective implementation.

“Indianapolis is our national organization’s home, and we could not be more excited to partner with a community-minded company like American Structurepoint and our city’s school system,” said PLTW President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Vince Bertram.
“Together, we will prepare Indianapolis’s children to be the critical thinkers, problem solvers, innovators and creators of tomorrow. This is a partnership that will have a lasting impact on Indianapolis.”

Listen to what Mayor Hogsett had to say HERE.