TEMPLE, Texas — Temple Independent School District’s Kennedy-Powell Elementary 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.
“We believe that the Project Lead the Way curriculum is aligned to our beliefs at Kennedy-Powell that all students should be challenged to think at higher levels, problem solve and create solutions for real world problems,” Jill Owen, principal of Kennedy-Powell said. “It also supports the vision and the mission of the district because it is designed to prepare students to be future leaders of society by developing 21st Century skills and help students reach their maximum potential by inspiring, motivating, and empowering our students. The goal of any experience in which students are provided these types of opportunities is for the skills and confidence they develop to transfer over into other areas of their lives and learning. Students grow in perseverance and determination as they plan and execute ideas, then revise and try again when needed. They begin to learn that it’s ok when something didn’t work right the first time, but that collaborating, rethinking, and communicating can refine an idea until it becomes successful. There is an intrinsic reward that students feel when they have figured out something relevant and important and that feeling is what motivates everyone to want to learn more and try hard again the next time they are faced with a challenge.”
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, Kennedy-Powell 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. Kennedy-Powell has now earned PLTW Distinguished School honors for five consecutive years. This year at KPES, each grade level completed three modules, with each module consisting of three activities, a project and a final problem to solve. Some students in the gifted and talented program (GATE) completed two additional modules during the year.
“Some of these problems ranged from designing their own paintbrushes, to building a shoe that works well in particular climate, to using various coding and programming skills, to designing and building a prosthetic for a hurt animal,” said Kayla DeBacker, Project Lead The Way lead launch teacher and campus technology liaison at Kennedy-Powell. “In addition, some third through fifth grade students participated in an after-school Robotics Club that used the PLTW VEX kits to build unique and programmable robots across a challenge field. Overall, all activities were hands-on and encouraged our students to work on problem-based learning skills.”
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 Kennedy-Powell and Temple ISD 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 staff and administration at Kennedy-Powell 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.”
Kennedy-Powell 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. Kennedy-Powell will also be recognized for the honor during the TISD school board meeting on June 13th.