Best Practices for Program Growth
Promoting PLTW to Middle and High School Students
PLTW Information Sharing
- Share PLTW brochures with prospective students.
- Highlight PLTW course information on school Web site.
- Promote courses during individual student and large group scheduling.
- Insert PLTW course descriptions in curriculum guide.
Creation of Clubs and Competitions
- Provide students with information on STEM-related competitions.
- Offer a PLTW Gateway Academy camp during the summer.
- Provide a Robotics and/or Technology Club for students.
Demonstrations
- Host lunchtime demonstrations and displays around building.
- Lead classroom presentations and interactive activities based on PLTW courses.
- Provide a forum for high school students to share information, demonstrate projects about their coursework to middle school students and conduct interactive activities in elementary school classrooms.
Visitations
- Conduct field trips to colleges with active STEM programs or companies that operate in STEM fields.
Orientations/Promotional Activities
- Bring in guest speakers on careers in STEM fields.
- Highlight STEM careers and connections in TV, movies and entertainment.
- Host an eighth-grade parent night to share PLTW coursework and activities to prospective students and their parents.
- Provide a “Focus Your Future: Girl’s Reception” about PLTW courses that is exclusively for girls and their parents. Check the PLTW Website or download complete packet.
- Feature STEM professionals on Career Day to talk about the components of his/her position, career path and necessary skills.
- Invite PLTW alumni to return to school and discuss how their PLTW courses helped them to make decisions on coursework at the college level.
- Present demonstrations from the Robotics Team, Legos Club and other hands-on experiences at an Electives Fair for prospective students and their parents.
- Use public access television to promote PLTW program.
- Create a mentoring group of college students.
Promoting PLTW to Parents and the Community
PLTW Information Sharing
- Highlight PLTW course information on school Web site.
- Add information to the parent/district newsletter.
- Discuss program goals with Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, Chambers of Commerce and other civic organizations.
- Share information during new student orientation.
- Spotlight PLTW activities and curriculum during a PTO meeting.
- Provide promotional brochures to parents.
- Show the college and career paths to STEM fields of study.
- Host an eighth-grade parents’ night to share PLTW coursework and activities with students and parents.
- Bring electronic and print media into the classroom for unique stories about students involved in program.
- Review college-level recognition opportunities (available in certified schools).
PLTW Demonstrations
- Conduct student-led demonstration at a School Board meeting or invite Board of Education members to visit PLTW classrooms.
- Invite key local business professionals to the school for student-led demonstrations.
- Showcase displays at sporting events.
- Attend trade shows and conferences and demonstrate curriculum activities.
- Market items that are created through PLTW projects.
- Feature PLTW demonstrations during Open House.
- Hold student-led presentations about the program for parents.
Visitations and Connections from Industry
- Seek out internships or job shadowing for students in relevant local businesses.
- Invite local business professionals to the classroom to speak about career opportunities.
- Create opportunities for community members to volunteer in PLTW classes.
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For more information, visit the Grow Your Program page on pltw.org.
