Press Release

September 27, 2007
CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE FUNDING FOR SCIENCE & TECH CURRICULUM IN WASHINGTON COUNTY SCHOOLS

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. –
Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and
Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded $51,000 to Washington County Public Schools for the Project Lead the Way, and Gateway to Technology and Biotechnology projects. The schools will enroll 260 students in the two programs in the first year.

“When you look at what has made America a superpower, it’s our innovation and our technology. We have to look at where the new ideas are going to come from that are going to generate the new products and workforce for the 21st century,” said Senator Mikulski. “I’m so proud Washington County schools will be able to use this funding to educate the next generation of students who will develop the new breakthroughs and ideas to remain competitive in the new century.”

“This ARC grant will enable Washington County middle and high school students to expand their math, science and engineering skills,” said Senator Cardin.  “Workers in the 21st Century must have the knowledge to master jobs that will depend heavily on these skills.  I applaud Project Lead the Way for providing students with the expertise they will need for the future.”

Project Lead the Way will expand math, science and engineering magnet program offerings in Washington County middle and high schools. The project is a research-based program developed by the Rochester Institute of Technology to ensure students have the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills needed to succeed in the 21st century workplace.

Washington County will also implement the Gateway to Technology curriculum at the middle school level, showing students how technology is used in engineering to solve everyday problems. High schools will implement the biotechnology engineering curriculum to help prepare students for the local workforce.

In addition to ARC funds, Washington County public schools will provide $119,000, bringing the total project funding to $170,000.

The ARC is a federal-state partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life.  

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