Port Allegany School District Receives $20,000. Grant From Ardagh to Expand Transformative Program from Project Lead The Way

PLTW’s programs will provide hands-on, interdisciplinary STEM-based curriculum that uniquely prepares students for life beyond the classroom.  

[Port Allegany, Pennsylvania] – The Port Allegany School District announced today that it will
offer Project Lead The Way’s (PLTW) PreK-5 program, PLTW Launch. 

The opportunity is made possible through a partnership between Ardagh Group, a global supplier of infinitely-recyclable metal and glass consumer packaging, and PLTW, a nonprofit organization that offers transformative classroom and learning experiences for PreK-12 students.  The Port Allegany Elementary School is joining more than 12,200 schools across the U.S. providing opportunities for brighter futures for all students.   

The elementary school will use funds from the grant to start its PLTW Launch program, a key
component of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education, and help
cover annual program fees, teacher professional development, and required classroom
equipment and materials. 

Mr. Tracy Kio, Port Allegany Elementary Principal said, “The Project Lead the Way grant allows
our elementary students to participate in an engaging and authentic learning experience that will
inspire them towards career opportunities that otherwise may have been missed.” 

This particular PLTW expansion is made possible by a grant from Ardagh, which has a strong
presence in the region. “Ardagh is a major employer in all of the communities in which we
operate across the Americas and Europe,” said Paul Coulson, Chairman and CEO, Ardagh
Group. “We are proud to employ more than 6,000 skilled people in 24 of our locations. Social
sustainability is at the core of our sustainability strategy. We recognize the critical role
education, and access to education, plays in ensuring equal opportunities and in building
successful, vibrant communities. We expect to invest $50 million over ten years to support
education in our U.S. communities. We are delighted to announce our first partnership in this
initiative with PLTW and are making an initial investment of $12 million in this multi-year,
impactful program. Ardagh’s investment will drive quality STEM education in our U.S.
communities that are key to economic development, as well as to our business over the long
term.” 

Beginning with the 2021-22 school year, the Port Allegany Elementary School will offer PLTW
Launch.  Studies show that students decide as early as elementary school whether they like,
and think they are good at, math and science. Through PLTW Launch, Port Allegany’s students
will have access to early opportunities to explore, develop a passion for, and gain confidence in
STEM subjects, while developing and applying critical language skills. Whether designing a car
safety belt or building digital animations based on their own short stories, students will practice
critical and creative thinking, build teamwork skills, and become inspired problem solvers.  

“PLTW is proud to partner with the Port Allegany School District to inspire students to excel in
math and science,” said Dr. Vince Bertram, PLTW President and CEO. “Together,
we’re empowering millions of young people to become inspired problem solvers. We’re
passionate about equipping the next generation of students with the in-demand, real-world
knowledge and skills they need to go further whatever path they choose.”  

PLTW programs also include professional development opportunities that provide teachers with
the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students, as well
as collaborative cohort-based opportunities that build lasting professional learning communities.
Through PLTW Core Training, teachers will encounter best-in-class experiences that keep them
on the forefront of how to prepare students for the demands of tomorrow.   

Ardaugh Group has pledged $20,000 in funding to the Port Allegany Elementary School for
PLTW programs over the next two years.  For more information on the Port Allegany Elementary
School’s PLTW Launch program, contact Mr. Tracy Kio, elementary principal at 814-642-9557.
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About PLTW
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a mission-driven organization that is transforming the learning
experience for millions of PreK-12 students and thousands of teachers across the U.S. PLTW
provides PreK-12 schools, teachers, and students with hands-on interdisciplinary STEM-based
curriculum that uniquely prepares students for life beyond the classroom through pathways in
computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. PLTW’s teacher training and resources
support teachers as they engage their students in real-world learning. More than 15,000
programs in more than 12,200 schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia offer PLTW
programs. For more information about PLTW, visit pltw.org.
About Ardagh
Ardagh Group is a global supplier of sustainable, infinitely recyclable, metal and glass
packaging for brand owners around the world. Ardagh operates 57 metal and glass production
facilities in 12 countries, employing more than 16,000 people with sales of approximately $7bn.