Middle School Science Teachers Districtwide Engage in Project Lead The Way Training

Middle school science teachers, including teachers of exceptional learners and English Language Learners, district wide participated in intensive Project Lead The Way (PLTW) professional learning as we prepare to launch PLTW programming in grades 6 and 7 during the 2026–2027 school year.

The implementation of PLTW at the middle school level is the result of a collaborative effort between Dr. Pushkantser, Director of Middle Level Education, and Dr. Hall, Director of STEM, to expand opportunities for students to engage in meaningful, hands-on STEM learning experiences. 

Last week, sixth-grade teachers explored Energy and the Environment, while this week seventh-grade teachers engaged in Medical Detectives. Project Lead The Way is a nationally recognized STEM program that provides students with hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences that connect science concepts to real-world challenges and career pathways.

Throughout the training, teachers immersed themselves in the curriculum as both learners and educators. They navigated the PLTW platform, participated in hands-on investigations, designed and created prototypes, analyzed data, and even dissected sheep brains as part of the Medical Detectives program. Experiencing the lessons first hand allows teachers to better understand the student experience while preparing to facilitate engaging, high-quality instruction in their classrooms.

The integration of PLTW into our middle school science curriculum will strengthen project-based learning, foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills, increase student engagement through authentic and career-connected experiences, and provide meaningful opportunities for students to explore future pathways. This work aligns closely with our district's Portrait of a Graduate, helping students develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed for success in college, careers, and life.

The professional development sessions were a major success, with teachers across both 6th and 7th grades overwhelmingly rating the experience a 5 out of 5 ("loved it"). Teachers found immense value in stepping into their students' shoes to experience the curriculum firsthand, which gave them an immediate understanding of how to guide their classes.

High-Confidence Areas Instructors feel highly capable and enthusiastic about implementing specific, interactive lessons right away:

• 6th Grade: Highly confident in rolling out student engineering notebooks, group collaboration, and core projects like the "penguin dwelling" and energy-saving pitches.

• 7th Grade: Highly confident in running the hands-on lab work, with the Disease Diagnosis activity standing out as a major highlight they feel fully prepared to teach.

• Collaboration Confidence: Overall confidence in managing student group work is exceptionally high across the board, averaging between 4 and 5 out of 5 for both grade level

Story and photos provided by Dr. Mariya Pushkantser.

ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!