March Newsletter
March 12, 2019
PLTW Teachers from across the State come together for Spring Professional Development Day
Over 150 Massachusetts PLTW teachers attended Spring Professional Development Day on March 6th at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The day included sessions lead by PLTW Master Teachers and content experts, covering best practices and strategies to use in project based learning classrooms. All teachers also had the opportunity to attend a workshop hosted by Buck Institute for Education. A highlight from the day was team Beakers, a group of 6 Gateway teachers, putting their design and engineering skills to the test. Team Beakers won the paper tower instant challenge, with a winning height of 50 inches!
MA PLTW Grant Convening Celebrates 58 Schools
Teachers and leaders from 58 schools came together to discuss implementing PLTW in 2019-20. At this event attendees learned about the MA PLTW educator network and supports, industry connections, and higher ed partnerships. Program specific panels provided authentic teacher and student feedback and guidance on what makes PLTW different from other curriculum. Ben Bradley from Burning Glass Technologies spoke on the future labor market and the power of transportable skills, emphasizing the importance of STEM educators' work and the value of PLTW curriculum for students.

Click here for the full PLTW Transportable Skills report.
Teacher Resource:
Summer 2019 Core Training Registration Now Open!
Registration for Core Training is now open in the Professional Development section of myPLTW . Core Training sites have limited space available, register today before space fills up for your preferred date and site!

As an additional resource PLTW has launched the Core Training Hub Info Center . Here you can learn more about the 2019 Core Training hubs and gather details to better plan for your 2019 Core Training experience.

Need help with registration? Watch  this video  or refer to this helpful guide outlining the registration process. If your session is full, please contact the PLTW solution center .
Teacher Opportunity:
Attend an Industry Experience with Fellow PLTW Teachers
This spring our Community Lead's Learning Teams are visiting local industry partners for a day of learning and networking. Industry partners include Autodesk, Markforged, Analog Devices, IBM, UMass Lowell Fabric Discovery Lab, Broad Institute, and Zoo New England.

Interested in participating in an Industry Experience? Click here to learn more about these upcoming events and to sign up! 
Industry Challenge Spotlight:
Peabody Essex Museum sponsored Launch Industry Challenge
Launch teachers teaching K-Structure & Function: Exploring Design submit your students’ Paintbrush Design Challenge to receive feedback from Peabody Essex Museum industry experts and win cool prizes!

Students on the winning teams will received passes to visit the Peabody Essex Museum with their families, and the opportunity to have their designed painting tool on display. All winning student teams and their teachers will also receive a Rocketbook!

Submissions are due April 10th . Click here to learn more and submit.
Please note: there are Industry Challenges for all grade levels due April 10th.
Additional Resources:
Need funding for field trip transportation?
Below are various grant opportunities for bus funding that can be used to attend Mass STEM Hub events.
Big Yellow School Bus $250 grant to be used during the 2018-2019 school year.
Funding Opportunities
Looking for additional funding opportunities for your STEM programs? Click the names below to learn more about each individual grant opportunity.
Calling all STEM Seniors: Student Scholarship Available!
Chevron, a PLTW Transformative Partner, has announced a scholarship opportunity through its partnership with Great Minds in STEM. Scholarships range from $500 to $10,000. The application period is open through April 1st. Click here to learn more.

Have a question for Mass STEM Hub?

Please get in touch by emailing Faith at   [email protected] .
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