CLIFON PARK, N.Y. - Project Lead the Way grew by 32 percent in 2008 thanks to enthusiastic students and parents, dedicated teachers and administrators, and financial support from school boards, industry and the state. An informative series of middle and high school classes that blend science, technology, engineering and math, Project Lead The Way is now available in 161 Wisconsin schools.

Locally, the program has been offered at Burlington High School starting this school year. Currently 44 students are enrolled in the program.

The courses in Project Lead The Way are growing due to student interest. It is a great place for students to learn about careers in the engineering field. The students learn the application of science, math and technology through hands on experiences.

In 2008, Project Lead The Way enrolled 20,213 Wisconsin middle and high school students. In 2007, Wisconsin's student enrollment in Project Lead The Way was 15,241, which was more than double the number of enrolled students in 2006. Business and state education leaders hope to continue this expansion during 2009, as enrollment since the program's start in 1999 has steadily increased due to the collaborative efforts of schools, public and private organizations and the business community.

Project Lead The Way has also found support from a recent decision by the University of Wisconsin System, which agreed to consider two Project Lead The Way courses as equivalent high school science units for admission purposes. This decision provides added incentive for students to take Project Lead The Way courses. Additionally, program credit and/or scholarships are available through Marquette University, the Milwaukee School of Engineering and many of the UW System and Wisconsin Technical College System campuses for students who complete Project Lead The Way courses.

Experience in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics is vital to students as they enter college and then the workforce. With more than half of the engineers and scientists in the United States nearing retirement, technical industries are in desperate need of workers to fill the positions responsible for innovation and economic growth. According to U.S. government data, job openings requiring expertise in science, technology, engineering and mathematics will increase by 18.3 percent through 2014.

General information about Project Lead The Way can be found at http://www.pltw.org while state-specific information is located at http://www.pltw-wi.org At these Web sites, school leaders interested in initiating Project Lead The Way at their schools may learn more about the program. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Thor Misko at tmisko@pltw.org or (518) 877-6491 ext. 344, or contacting Brent Kindred at bkindred@dpi.state.wi.us or (608) 266-2683.