Thayer, MO – The Thayer R-II Elementary School announced Monday that it has been recognized as a 2021-22 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School. It is one of just 282 schools across the U.S. to receive this honor for providing broad access to transformative learning opportunities for students through PLTW Launch. PLTW is a nonprofit organization that serves millions of PreK-12 students and teachers in schools across the U.S.
Mr. Jason Andrews, Elementary School Principal said this about the program.
“We are excited about the opportunities that PLTW provides for our students. PLTW gives our students an opportunity to participate in hands-on activities, work together to solve problems, and use their creativity which may not be offered as much in the regular classroom setting. We are blessed to have this program at Thayer Elementary School”
According to Ms. Tonya Woods, Superintendent of Thayer R-II Schools, “It is an honor for the Thayer Elementary School to receive national recognition in STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Math) Education. Mr. Tommy Lowery’s passion for STEM Education led him to implement STEM Education in the school district over seven years ago. Mr. Lowery saw firsthand the enthusiasm and imagination for learning that STEM Education creates in children. As a result, he found a way for all Thayer Elementary students from kindergarten through sixth grade to explore its possibilities at every grade level.
Mr. Lowery has used the PLTW Program for our STEM Education for several years. With this, he has offered additional STEM learning opportunities to the district’s after-school program for grades three through junior high. The district also has a junior high PLTW class offered as an elective for students who want to continue their direction in the field. Our long-term plans include offering PLTW courses at the high school level.
The career fields associated with PLTW-STEM Education are wide open. I am so grateful we have forward-thinking educators willing to challenge our students and help them move forward, preparing them for the future job market.”
The PLTW Distinguished School recognition honors schools committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs. To be eligible for the designation, the Thayer R-II Elementary School had to have at least 75 percent of the student body participating in at least one PLTW Launch module and had to offer at least one PLTW Launch module in each grade (K-5) during the 2020-21 school year.
Studies show that students decide as early as elementary school whether they like, and think they are good at, math and science. Whether designing a car safety belt or building digital animations based on their own short stories, PLTW Launch students engage in critical and creative thinking, build teamwork skills, and develop a passion for and confidence in STEM subjects.
“We are honored to recognize Thayer R-II Elementary School for their unwavering commitment to provide students with an excellent educational experience despite the last two years having been some of the most challenging in recent history for students and educators across the U.S. due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. David Dimmett, Interim President and CEO of PLTW. The Thayer R-II Elementary School should be very proud of their achievements in unlocking their students’ potential and equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in life beyond the classroom no matter what career path they choose.”
The Thayer R-II Elementary School is part of a community of PreK-12 schools, colleges and universities, and corporate and philanthropic partners across the country united around a passion for providing students with inspiring, engaging, and empowering learning opportunities. For more information about PLTW’s recognition program, visit pltw.org/our-programs/program-recognition.
For more information on Thayer R-II Elementary School’s PLTW Launch program, contact Mr. Tommy Lowery at 417-264-4600 extension 2424.
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