Project Lead the Way

Who We Are

Project Lead The Way (PLTW®) is the nation’s leading provider of preK-12 STEM programs. Engaging curriculum and high-quality teacher professional development, combined with an engaged network of educators and corporate and community partners, empower and inspire students.

PLTW® delivers transformative learning experiences to elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. PLTW schools can be found in rural, urban, and suburban districts; across all income levels; as well as in public, private, and charter schools.

Learn more about the organization at PLTW.org. 

Our Programs

Project Lead The Way offers a different approach to learning and teaching. Through activity-, project-, and problem-based curriculum, PLTW® gives students in pre-kindergarten through high school a chance to apply what they know, identify problems, find unique solutions, and lead their own learning. For teachers, our engaging, rigorous professional development model provides tools to empower students and transform the classroom into a collaboration space where content comes to life.

PLTW curricular programs include PLTW Launch, PLTW Gateway, PLTW Engineering, PLTW Biomedical Science, and PLTW Computer Science.

Learn more about PLTW programs.

Core Training at Stevenson University

Stevenson University offers summer core training as part of the Baltimore Training Hub. Details about training dates and courses, travel and lodging arrangements, and fees can be found at the PLTW® Core Training Hub Information page.

High School Students Can Earn Transcripted College Credit

Students who complete all four courses in the Project Lead the Way Biomedical Sciences program can apply to receive credit for Stevenson University’s BIO 113 General Biology I: Cell Biology and Genetics lecture and laboratory courses and BIO 222 Human Anatomy (see course descriptions below). For those students who meet the requirements, up to eight (8) credits can be awarded for BIO 113, BIO 113L, and BIO 222 from Stevenson University.

BIO 113 General Biology I: Cell Biology and Genetics (3 credits). Emphasizes the molecular nature of biology and biological principles that are common to all life. Topics covered relate to the physical and biochemical structure and function of cells and cell processes and genetics.

BIO 113L: General Biology I Laboratory: Cell Biology and Genetics (1 credit). Introduces experimental methods and techniques used in the biology laboratory. Topics relate to cell structure and function, and skills covered include the scientific method and experimental design, microscope and micropipette use, and aseptic technique.

BIO 222: Human Anatomy (4 credits). Introduces the gross and microscopic structure of the human body. Topics include histology (cells and tissues) and the eleven systems of the body. Laboratories include microscopic examination of cells and tissues, as well as dissection and study and identification of gross anatomical features. Laboratory included.

In order to earn up to 8 credits for BIO 113 General Biology I, BIO 113L General Biology I Laboratory, and BIO 222 Human Anatomy, students must fulfill ONE of the following sets of criteria:

• Complete all four (4) courses in the PLTW Biomedical Sciences program. These include Principles of the Biomedical Sciences, Human Body Systems, Medical Interventions, and Biomedical Innovation.
• Earn a GPA of 3.0 or higher in all PLTW Biomedical Sciences courses, with no more than one grade of “C” in a PLTW course.
• Earn appropriate scores on at least two of the end-of-course exams for the Principles of the Biomedical Sciences, Human Body Systems, and Medical Interventions courses as described:
  • • Stanine score of 7 or higher on exams taken prior to December 2018
    • Scaled score of 420 or higher on exams taken December 2018 or later

OR 

• Complete all four (4) courses in the PLTW Biomedical Sciences program. These include Principles of the Biomedical Sciences, Human Body Systems, Medical Interventions, and Biomedical Innovation.
• Earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher in all PLTW Biomedical Sciences courses, with no more than one grade of “C” in a PLTW course.
• Earn appropriate scores on at least one of the end-of-course exams for the Principles of the Biomedical Sciences, Human Body Systems, and Medical Interventions courses as described:
  • • Stanine score of 7 or higher on exams taken prior to December 2018
    • Scaled score of 420 or higher on exams taken December 2018 or later

How do I apply for credit for my PLTW courses?

In order to apply for Stevenson University credit for PLTW courses, students must follow the steps below:

• At any time while you are taking the PLTW course sequence, complete the Intent to Apply Form. After you complete all of your PLTW courses, including Biomedical Innovation, print and complete the "Special Student Application - Project Lead The Way".
• Mail the completed Special Student Application, your official high school transcript showing the PLTW courses, and the required fee ($200 for 4 credits; $400 for 8 credits) to the address below. Checks should be made out to Stevenson University.

Meredith C. Durmowicz, Ph.D.
Dean, Beverly K. Fine School of the Sciences
Stevenson University
Kevin J. Manning Academic Center
11200 Ted Herget Way
Owings Mills, MD 21117

The application, transcript, and fee must be postmarked no later than August 1 of the year in which you graduate from high school.

If you are asking your high school to send your transcript directly to SU, please ensure that they use the address above and not the general university address.

Upon receipt of all necessary forms and verification of all eligibility criteria, the requested courses with a grade of “P” will be entered on the student’s Stevenson University transcript. A grade of “P” is equivalent to a C or better. Students may request an official Stevenson University transcript though the National Student Clearinghouse secure transcript ordering site.

Please Note: Stevenson University cannot guarantee whether or how any other institution will accept the credits that are offered for PLTW courses. Students planning to transfer their Stevenson University credits to another institution are advised to first check with their intended institution to confirm that the credits will be accepted. Syllabi for BIO 113, BIO 113L, and BIO 222 can be provided upon request, if needed. Please contact Dr. Durmowicz at mdurmowicz@stevenson.edu. 

Graduate Credit for Teachers

who are registered for a Project Lead the Way Core Training (CT) course or have completed a core training for the Biomedical Sciences program are eligible to register for the companion graduate course at Stevenson University. In addition to the Core Training classroom and laboratory instruction, teachers will complete a written capstone assignment. Registration for PLTW graduate courses is only available in the summer while Core Training sessions are running. Please contact mdurmowicz@stevenson.edu for registration deadlines.

Registrants have the option of taking a graduate course either for a grade or as Pass/Fail. Tuition and fees are $695.00 per course. A graduate application and course registration form must be completed and submitted to the Registrar’s Office.

DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM

SCI 550: PLTW® Principles of Biomedical Sciences
3 credits, Summer
Dr. Meredith Durmowicz
Provides an opportunity for the teacher to analyze and evaluate the projected and actual impact of PLTW® activities, projects, and problems on teaching and learning strategies used in the Principles of Biomedical Sciences (PBS) classroom and laboratory. Strategies for implementing and assessing the student team component of the PBS curriculum are developed. Requirements include a comprehensive written capstone assignment and a Principles of the Biomedical Sciences academic portfolio.
Prerequisites: Summer Core Training certificate for Principles of the Biomedical Sciences course.

SCI 560: PLTW® Human Body Systems
3 credits, Summer
Dr. Meredith Durmowicz
Provides an opportunity for the teacher to analyze and evaluate the projected and actual impact of PLTW® activities, projects, and problems on teaching and learning strategies used in the Human Body Systems (HBS) classroom and laboratory. Strategies for implementing and assessing the student team component of the HBS curriculum are developed. Requirements include a comprehensive written capstone assignment and a Human Body Systems academic portfolio.
Prerequisites: Summer Core Training certificate for Human Body Systems course.

SCI 570: PLTW® Medical Interventions
3 credits, Summer
Dr. Meredith Durmowicz
Provides an opportunity for the teacher to analyze and evaluate the projected and actual impact of PLTW® activities, projects, and problems on teaching and learning strategies used in the Medical Interventions (MI) classroom and laboratory. Strategies for implementing and assessing the student team component of the MI curriculum are developed. Requirements include a comprehensive written capstone assignment and a Medical Interventions academic portfolio.
Prerequisites: Summer Core Training certificate for Medical Interventions course.

SCI 580: PLTW® Biomedical Innovation
3 credits, Summer
Dr. Meredith Durmowicz
Provides an opportunity for the teacher to analyze and evaluate the projected and actual impact of PLTW® activities, projects, and problems on teaching and learning strategies used in the Biomedical Innovations (BI) classroom and laboratory. Strategies for implementing and assessing the student team and mentoring components of the BI curriculum are developed. Requirements include a comprehensive written capstone assignment and a Biomedical Innovations academic portfolio.
Prerequisites: Summer Core Training certificate for Biomedical Innovations course.

SCI 590: PLTW® Professional Development Practicum
3 credits, Summer
Dr. Meredith Durmowicz
Provides an opportunity for the Master Teacher to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the PLTW® model of teacher professional development and its potential to effect lasting changes in science education. Strategies for teaching adult learners are compared to those used with students in the high school classroom, and tools for assessing outcomes and monitoring progress of adult learners are developed. Requirements include a comprehensive written capstone assignment and a Core Training teaching portfolio.
Prerequisites: Master or Lead Teacher Core Training certificate for a PLTW® Biomedical Sciences course.

Contact Information

Core Training at Stevenson Program Manager
(Primary Contact)

Steven C. Mrozinski, Department of Biological Sciences
Beverly K. Fine School of the Sciences, Stevenson University
Owings Mills North Academic Center
11200 Ted Herget Way
Owings Mills, MD 21117
Phone: 443-394-9783
Fax: 443-394-9799
Email: smrozinski@stevenson.edu

Program Director

Dr. Meredith Durmowicz, Dean
Beverly K. Fine School of the Sciences, Stevenson University
Owings Mills North Academic Center
11200 Ted Herget Way
Owings Mills, MD 21117
Phone: 443-394-9647
Fax: 443-394-9799
Email: mdurmowicz@stevenson.edu