When Passion Becomes a Profession

Before You Head Out: Spring Strategies For a Great Summer and Smooth Fall

In this episode of InspirED: A PLTW Podcast, Marcus Painter, Director of Social Media and Community Engagement chats with Tory Spanier and Seth Ponder about teachers can best Sail into the summer! All teachers will have actionable takeaways from this episode!  Sail into summer with a little help from a couple of the best teachers we know! Host: Marcus Painter, Director of Social Media & Community Engagement at Project Lead The Way Guests: Tory Spanier, PLTW Master Teacher from Delano High School, in Delano Minnesota. Seth Ponder, Computer Science and Engineering teacher at Riley High School, in South Bend, Indiana. Recording Date: May 7, 2026 Resources: * Middle school teachers bring high-impact, meaningful explorations of biomedical engineering through the Design and Modeling unit from PLTW Gateway: https://www.pltw.org/blog/middle-school-stem-prosthetics [https://www.pltw.org/blog/middle-school-stem-prosthetics] * Riley High School students and educators share the “why” behind their passion for project-based learning and PLTW: https://wsbt.com/news/local/stem-education-hands-on-project-problem-based-high-school-south-bend-riley-national-recognition-innovation-career [https://wsbt.com/news/local/stem-education-hands-on-project-problem-based-high-school-south-bend-riley-national-recognition-innovation-career] * How Tory Spanier took risks and build a network of support, exemplifying perseverance and curiosity to his students: https://youtu.be/svO1gDuBN6k?t=237 [https://youtu.be/svO1gDuBN6k?t=237]  * Explore an educator’s journey from PLTW student to Master Teacher: https://www.pltw.org/blog/from-pltw-student-to-master-teacher [https://www.pltw.org/blog/from-pltw-student-to-master-teacher] * What’s different about instructor-led, collaborative professional learning? Hear about it from teachers who’ve attended: https://www.pltw.org/blog/pltw-teachers-find-real-world-lessons-and-year-long-advice-during-pltw-core-training [https://www.pltw.org/blog/pltw-teachers-find-real-world-lessons-and-year-long-advice-during-pltw-core-training] * When students don’t see the difference between learning for the future and learning to pass the test, here’s what happens: https://www.pltw.org/blog/connecting-the-classroom-to-your-community [https://www.pltw.org/blog/connecting-the-classroom-to-your-community] Connect on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RileyEngineeringMagnet [https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/dLsfCwp6kmfvA08nuVfVUJGOIO?domain=facebook.com] Instagram: @rileyhighpltw

The Future Won't Wait: AI in Education (Part 1)

In the latest episode of InspirED: A PLTW Podcast, we bring together voices from both Project Lead The Way and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to discuss how our collaboration has already impacted AI in education, created a roadmap for today, and clarified a vision for tomorrow. You’ll hear how PLTW and AWS strive to make AI ethical, effective, and efficient in today’s educational landscape. We aren’t talking about hypotheticals and “What if’s”. We are talking about the realities of today and how educational leaders can leverage AI in positive ways through understanding, ethics, and empowerment. Host: Dr. David Dimmett, President and CEO of Project Lead The Way Guests: Sara Seba, Manager of Customer Solutions and Specialists, for Global Nonprofits at AWS Brian Greiwe, EVP and Chief Technical Officer of Project Lead The Way Recording Date: Wednesday April 8, 2026 Resources: Principles of AI (grades 9–12)—a one-semester course that builds AI skills for the future of work, including critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and digital literacy: https://www.pltw.org/principles-of-ai [https://www.pltw.org/principles-of-ai] A collaborative training that empowers PreK–12 educators to confidently use AI to enhance planning, teaching, and career readiness strategies: https://www.pltw.org/professional-development/training-schedules?program=*&course=%22Demystifying+AI+in+Education%22&type=*&location=*&search= [https://www.pltw.org/professional-development/training-schedules?program=*&course=%22Demystifying+AI+in+Education%22&type=*&location=*&search=] What exclusive access to a globally recognized CompTIA Security+ certification can do for future cybersecurity professionals:  https://www.pltw.org/about/news/project-lead-the-way-announces-strategic-partnership-with-comptia-to-launch-cybersecurity-accreditation [https://www.pltw.org/about/news/project-lead-the-way-announces-strategic-partnership-with-comptia-to-launch-cybersecurity-accreditation] How the latest PLTW and AWS collaboration is accelerating access to AI education by expanding supports for students and teachers: https://www.pltw.org/about/news/project-lead-the-way-named-winner-of-2025-amazon-web-services-imagine-grant-for-nonprofits [https://www.pltw.org/about/news/project-lead-the-way-named-winner-of-2025-amazon-web-services-imagine-grant-for-nonprofits]  Preparing students and educators for the future of work requires a national AI strategy like PLTW's: https://www.pltw.org/about/news/project-lead-the-way-launches-national-ai-strategy-to-prepare-students-and-educators-for-the-future-of-work [https://www.pltw.org/about/news/project-lead-the-way-launches-national-ai-strategy-to-prepare-students-and-educators-for-the-future-of-work] The AI curriculum pilot expected to reach 1,600 students and 30 school districts in Massachusetts: https://www.pltw.org/about/news/new-ai-curriculum-pilot-to-reach-1600-massachusetts-students-across-30-school-districts [https://www.pltw.org/about/news/new-ai-curriculum-pilot-to-reach-1600-massachusetts-students-across-30-school-districts] Connect on Social Media: AWS (Amazon Web Services on LinkedIn) [https://www.linkedin.com/company/amazon-web-services/posts/?feedView=all] AWS Nonprofits on X [https://x.com/AWS_Nonprofits] Sara Seba on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-seba/]

The Future Won't Wait: AI in Education (Part 2)

In the latest episode of InspirED: A PLTW Podcast, we bring together voices from both Project Lead The Way and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to discuss how our collaboration has already impacted AI in education, created a roadmap for today, and clarified a vision for tomorrow. You’ll hear how PLTW and AWS strive to make AI ethical, effective, and efficient in today’s educational landscape.  We aren’t talking about hypotheticals and “What if’s”. We are talking about the realities of today and how educational leaders can leverage AI in positive ways through understanding, ethics, and empowerment. Host: Dr. David Dimmett, President and CEO of Project Lead The Way Guests: Sara Seba, Manager of Customer Solutions and Specialists, for Global Nonprofits at AWS Brian Greiwe, EVP and Chief Technical Officer of Project Lead The Way Recording Date: Wednesday April 8, 2026 Resources: Principles of AI (grades 9–12)—a one-semester course that builds AI skills for the future of work, including critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and digital literacy: https://www.pltw.org/principles-of-ai [https://www.pltw.org/principles-of-ai] A collaborative training that empowers PreK–12 educators to confidently use AI to enhance planning, teaching, and career readiness strategies: https://www.pltw.org/professional-development/training-schedules?program=*&course=%22Demystifying+AI+in+Education%22&type=*&location=*&search= [https://www.pltw.org/professional-development/training-schedules?program=*&course=%22Demystifying+AI+in+Education%22&type=*&location=*&search=] What exclusive access to a globally recognized CompTIA Security+ certification can do for future cybersecurity professionals:  https://www.pltw.org/about/news/project-lead-the-way-announces-strategic-partnership-with-comptia-to-launch-cybersecurity-accreditation [https://www.pltw.org/about/news/project-lead-the-way-announces-strategic-partnership-with-comptia-to-launch-cybersecurity-accreditation] How the latest PLTW and AWS collaboration is accelerating access to AI education by expanding supports for students and teachers: https://www.pltw.org/about/news/project-lead-the-way-named-winner-of-2025-amazon-web-services-imagine-grant-for-nonprofits [https://www.pltw.org/about/news/project-lead-the-way-named-winner-of-2025-amazon-web-services-imagine-grant-for-nonprofits]  Preparing students and educators for the future of work requires a national AI strategy like PLTW's: https://www.pltw.org/about/news/project-lead-the-way-launches-national-ai-strategy-to-prepare-students-and-educators-for-the-future-of-work [https://www.pltw.org/about/news/project-lead-the-way-launches-national-ai-strategy-to-prepare-students-and-educators-for-the-future-of-work] The AI curriculum pilot expected to reach 1,600 students and 30 school districts in Massachusetts: https://www.pltw.org/about/news/new-ai-curriculum-pilot-to-reach-1600-massachusetts-students-across-30-school-districts [https://www.pltw.org/about/news/new-ai-curriculum-pilot-to-reach-1600-massachusetts-students-across-30-school-districts] Connect on Social Media: AWS (Amazon Web Services on LinkedIn) [https://www.linkedin.com/company/amazon-web-services/posts/?feedView=all] AWS Nonprofits on X [https://x.com/AWS_Nonprofits] Sara Seba on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-seba/]

From the Classroom to the Feed: PLTW Teachers Growing Programs through Social Media

In this episode of InspirED: A PLTW podcast, Marcus Painter, Director of Social Media and Community Engagement sits down with three PLTW social media influencers to share their stories, vision, and advice on how to leverage social media to enhance their classrooms, programs, schools, and districts. * Are you a PLTW teacher on the fence about creating social media content from your classroom?   * Are you a building or district leader who needs creative ways to tell the story of your school/district?   * Why not learn from some of the best social media influencers out there? * Tune-in, learn, and connect! Host: Marcus Painter, Director of Social Media and Community Engagement at Project Lead The Way Guests: * Leah Pelletier, Biomedical Science teacher, McHenry Community High School, District 156, McHenry, IL. * Thomas Pfeiffer, STEM 2/Magnet Science teacher at Margaret Mead Junior High, School District 54, Schaumburg, IL. * Sarah McCambridge, Marketing Director, Bishop Miege Catholic High School in Roeland Park, KS of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Resources: * More social media promotion ideas from PLTW educators: https://www.pltw.org/blog/5-reasons-to-use-social-media-when-teaching-pltw [https://www.pltw.org/blog/5-reasons-to-use-social-media-when-teaching-pltw] * How PLTW alums can showcase their skills on LinkedIn: https://www.pltw.org/blog/showcase-your-pltw-skills-on-linkedin-with-new-profile-badges [https://www.pltw.org/blog/showcase-your-pltw-skills-on-linkedin-with-new-profile-badges] * Explore the curriculum these educators highlight at their schools: https://www.pltw.org/curriculum [https://www.pltw.org/curriculum]  Leah Pelletier * MCHS BioMed on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mchsbiomed/] * https://www.dist156.org/ [https://www.dist156.org/] Thomas Pfeifer * @thescienceseekersshow on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@thescienceseekersshow] * @thescienceseekersshow on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/thescienceseekersshow/] * Mead Junior High on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/meadmustangs54] * Mead Junior High on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/meadmustangs54/] * Website: https://mead.sd54.org/ [https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/wMvkCQWrO0sXklW4UksgSGvKum?domain=mead.sd54.org/] * Schaumburg 54 Schools on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/schaumburgd54schools/] * Website: https://sd54.org/ [https://url.us.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/pkH5CVOzNPu2xkAjFkupSEJeRk?domain=sd54.org/] Sarah McCambridge * Sarah on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-mccambridge-66033227/] * School Website [https://www.bishopmiege.com] * Bishop Miege on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bishopmiegestags/] * Bishop Miege High School on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/bishop-miege-catholic-high-school/posts/?feedView=all]

When Passion Becomes a Profession

As part of our celebration of National Engineers Week, we decided to invite an amazing PLTW teacher and two future engineers and former PLTW students to talk about what it takes to make their career dreams a reality.  Dr. David Dimmett, President and CEO of Project Lead The Way sits down with PLTW teacher, Christopher Desmond, and two of his former students, Kammy Blake and Kevin Morris.  ------------------------------  Host:   Dr. David Dimmett, President & CEO of Project Lead The Way Guest(s):  * Christopher Desmond, CTE Teacher at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools  * Kameran Blake, Junior Mechanical Engineering major at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.   * Kevin Morris, Junior Civil Engineering major at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.    Resources:  College readiness improves for students who take at least one PLTW Engineering course—see the proof: https://www.pltw.org/hubfs/PLTW_Brand/impact-profiles/PLTW_Texas_OnePager.pdf [https://www.pltw.org/hubfs/PLTW_Brand/impact-profiles/PLTW_Texas_OnePager.pdf]   Students who take more than one PLTW high school course are twice as likely to enroll in college and three times as likely to pursue a STEM major: https://www.pltw.org/hubfs/PLTW_Brand/impact-profiles/Missouri-PLTW_One-Pager_Digital.pdf [https://www.pltw.org/hubfs/PLTW_Brand/impact-profiles/Missouri-PLTW_One-Pager_Digital.pdf]  Experience with industry-specific tools like Multism sets PLTW Engineering students apart from their peers: https://www.pltw.org/blog/pltw-ni-engineering-software-partnership [https://www.pltw.org/blog/pltw-ni-engineering-software-partnership]  Learn how Alex from Phillips 66 went from high school engineering to Phillips 66 Commercial and Business Development Senior Director: https://www.pltw.org/blog/phillips-66-pltw-partner-spotlight-engineering-career [https://www.pltw.org/blog/phillips-66-pltw-partner-spotlight-engineering-career]  Ardagh Group provides real-world career readiness and work-based learning: https://www.pltw.org/blog/ardagh-group-prepares-pltw-students-for-future-careers-in-their-own-communities [https://www.pltw.org/blog/ardagh-group-prepares-pltw-students-for-future-careers-in-their-own-communities]  Rural communities and school districts are getting ready for a growing opportunity in advanced manufacturing: https://www.pltw.org/blog/closing-manufacturing-skills-gap-rural-schools [https://www.pltw.org/blog/closing-manufacturing-skills-gap-rural-schools]  See the data behind the educational opportunity in advanced manufacturing boom: https://www.pltw.org/manufacturing-skills-gap-rural-schools-infographic [https://www.pltw.org/manufacturing-skills-gap-rural-schools-infographic]  Schools that combine the power of PLTW and NAF expand college and career readiness in high school: https://www.pltw.org/blog/how-to-expand-career-readiness-in-high-schools-naf-pltw [https://www.pltw.org/blog/how-to-expand-career-readiness-in-high-schools-naf-pltw]  Middle school students apply pre-engineering knowledge to develop prosthetics for community members: https://www.pltw.org/blog/middle-school-stem-prosthetics [https://www.pltw.org/blog/middle-school-stem-prosthetics]  A 48-hour innovation challenge gives PLTW Engineering students the chance to show off their skills: https://www.pltw.org/blog/pltw-students-shine-in-stadium-innovation-make48-challenge [https://www.pltw.org/blog/pltw-students-shine-in-stadium-innovation-make48-challenge]  National Engineers Week: https://www.nspe.org/connect/partners/engineers-week [https://www.nspe.org/connect/partners/engineers-week]  ------------------------------  Connect on Social Media:  Internship Company Website - Oerlikon [https://www.oerlikon.com/en/]  UNC Charlotte College of Engineering Website [https://engr.charlotte.edu/]  UNC Charlotte Engineering - Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/clt_engineering?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw%3D%3D]    Facebook:   Hopewell Engineering and Manufacturing [https://www.facebook.com/hopewellengineering529]  Hopewell High School CMS [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086618148959]  Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools [https://www.facebook.com/CharMeckSchools]  UNC Charlotte Engineering [https://www.facebook.com/CLTEngineering]     LinkedIn:    Christopher Desmond [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherdesmond/]  Kameran Blake [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kameran-blake/]  Kevin Morris [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-morris-57b26132b/]  UNC Charlotte College of Engineering [https://www.linkedin.com/school/unc-charlotte-engineering/posts/?feedView=all]  Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools [https://www.linkedin.com/school/charmeckschools/posts/?feedView=all]  Superintendent - Crystal Hill, Ed.D. - Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools [https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-hill-ed-d-98abb5207/]    Instagram:  Hopewell High School   [https://www.instagram.com/hopewell_hs/]  Hopewell Admin School  [https://www.instagram.com/hopewellhighschoolcms/]  Hopewell Engineering/Manufacturing  [https://www.instagram.com/hopewellengineering529/]