Indiana Schools to receive $5 million grant for STEM education from Lilly Endowment

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) has announced a three-year $5 million grant from Lilly Endowment to support STEM education in schools across Indiana. The grant is intended to help elementary, middle, and high schools by providing resources for launching or expanding PLTW programmes.

The funding is available to all Indiana schools and will help offset costs associated with implementing PLTW programmes. It includes teacher training in PLTW’s curriculum, purchasing equipment, and providing supplies necessary for STEM education. The initiative aims to reach up to 80,000 Indiana students and their teachers by 2028.

PLTW, based in Indianapolis, offers a curriculum that spans computer science, engineering, biomedical science, and more. The organisation's goal is to prepare students for careers in STEM fields, which are expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Currently, PLTW programmes are active in over 900 Indiana schools, supported by over 6,000 teachers.

Ted Maple, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for education, emphasised the importance of STEM education in Indiana: 

“Given the number of career opportunities in the life sciences and other STEM-related industry sectors that are available in communities across the state, it’s important that Indiana students have access to high-quality STEM education opportunities.

“Project Lead The Way’s programmes are well respected and in great demand, and we are pleased to provide this support to help make these opportunities more available to schools statewide.”

The grant will also provide professional development opportunities for teachers. PLTW’s professional development programmes are designed to equip educators with the skills needed to effectively teach STEM subjects.

“With this support from Lilly Endowment, we will serve more students across the state of Indiana and help prepare them with the knowledge and skills they need for success in school and in the future workforce,” said Dr. David Dimmett, President and CEO of PLTW.

Dr.Dimmett concluded,“This commitment will also benefit Hoosier educators by providing them with research-based and relevant professional development, bringing hands-on learning to more Indiana classrooms. This investment will have an immediate impact by engaging students in all grade levels with real-world STEM education and career exploration.”