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Photographed from Left to Right: Tara Richards, Jonathan Ayre, Walter Marshaleck, Aiden Carvejal, Liam Caceras, Robert Jefferson, Josh Sullivan, Hayden Shiban, K.C. McCormick, Harrison Bailey, Julie Bailey, Carol Obando-Derstine, and Jack Silva Photo provided by The Foundation for the Bethlehem Area School District
BETHLEHEM, PA (February 5, 2020) – STEM education is at the heart of today’s high-tech, high-skill global economy. A program in the Bethlehem Area School District is giving students hands-on experience, with support from PPL Electric Utilities.
PPL Electric Utilities has awarded $5,000 in Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) funding to The Foundation for the Bethlehem Area School District. These funds will support the Project Lead the Way Engineering program at Liberty and Freedom high schools. Project Lead the Way exposes students to areas of study that they currently do not have an opportunity to pursue, and provides them with a foundation and proven pathway to college and career success.
The Project Lead the Way Pathway to Engineering program is a sequence of courses which follows a proven, hands on, real world problem solving approach to learning. Throughout this program, students learn and apply the design process, acquire strong teamwork and communication proficiency, and develop organizational, critical thinking, and problem- solving skills. They discover how things are made and what processes go into creating products. Students use the same industry leading 3D design software used by companies like Intel and Lockheed Martin. They explore aerodynamics, astronautics, and space life sciences. Students apply biological and engineering concepts related to biomechanics. They design, test, and construct circuits and devices such as smart phones and tables and work collaboratively on a culminating capstone project.
“PPL is committed to improving the communities where our customers and employees live and work,” said Carol Obando- Derstine, regional affairs director for PPL Electric Utilities. “We are proud to support the Project Lead the Way Pathway Engineering program because of the STEM-related educational opportunities it provides to students in the district. We firmly believe this type of education will help prepare them for the workforce of tomorrow.”
About The Foundation for the Bethlehem Area School District
The Foundation for the Bethlehem Area School District was created to strengthen, enhance and enrich the educational experiences for the students of the Bethlehem Area School District. Established in 1999, The Foundations’ focus has been helping educators deliver innovative teaching to students inside and outside the classroom. As a 501(c)(3) non- profit organization, The Foundation raises funds through tax-deductible contributions to promote innovative educational programs that enhance the existing curriculum of the Bethlehem Area School District.
About PPL Electric Utilities
PPL Electric Utilities provides electric delivery service to more than 1.4 million homes and businesses in Pennsylvania and ranks among the best utility companies in the country for customer service and reliability. PPL Electric Utilities is a major employer in the communities it serves. It is a subsidiary of PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL). For more information, visit www.pplelectric.com.
Information provided to TVL by:
Barbara Clymer
Assistant to the Superintendent for Communications
Bethlehem Area School District
1516 Sycamore Street
Bethlehem, PA 18017
Information provided to TVL by:
Julie Bailey
Executive Director
The Foundation for the Bethlehem Area School District
TheFoundation@basdschools.org
