What is STI?

What is the pace?

What is the time commitment?

Am I ready to teach?

How many PLTW course may I teach?

Must I follow the PLTW course and pedagogy or may I make adjustments?

Why should I participate in the PLTW program?

How do the meals work?

Where do I park?

What credit may I receive towards my master's degree?

Is there a dress code?

Is the STI tax deductible?

What are the expectations?

 

What is STI?
Project Lead The Way core training is an integral part of a 3-phase professional development program that is offered during the summer on university campuses around the country.  It is a foundational component of teacher preparation that is necessary to ensure an instructor’s readiness to deliver PLTW curricula to students.  The Summer Training Institute (STI) provides a collaborative setting where teachers are immersed in content-specific, project-based instruction.

What is the pace?
It is an intensive two-week instructional program that covers a year’s worth of curriculum in 10 days.  Due to the concentrated nature of the delivery of curriculum and materials, it is recommended that participants follow the guidelines below to avoid getting behind in the coursework. Accelerated programs, like those offered at the STI, have a greater potential for participants to feel overwhelmed if they begin to fall behind in the coursework.  It is recommended that participants stay on or near campus for the duration of the STI.  The university setting provides a collaborative environment and promotes peer to peer interaction.  It also enables participants to devote their full attention to the mastery of coursework and to work collaboratively on project assignments. 

What is the time commitment?
STI classes run 5 days a week for 2 weeks for approximately 8.5 hours per day of instruction, plus 1 hour of homework or enrichment activities.  The time it takes to complete assignments will vary for all participants, depending on their requisite knowledge and their previous experience with the material. Each day the instructors will move forward with the curriculum, so it is essential that problems with the material are addressed and resolved as they occur.  Due to the short duration of the STI, the only time for additional assistance will be in the evenings. Evening work will be required in order to complete the course. Students may work in groups, or tutorial sessions may be set up at the discretion of the Master Teacher.

Am I ready to teach?
Participants who successfully complete the STI will receive a Certificate of Completion for the course at the conclusion of the STI.  Issuing of a certificate is contingent on the participant’s attendance record, the successful completion of all of the material required in the portfolio check list, and is at the discretion of the STI instructors and director.  Completing an STI course helps to prepare teachers for implementing that course in their school; however, it should not be considered the end of the teacher’s preparation.  There will most likely be additional curriculum content that should be studied by the teacher, after leaving the STI, and lab preparation that must be completed by the teacher before school begins in the fall.  In addition, all participants are encouraged to visit the PLTW Virtual Academy (www.pltw.org) for ongoing professional development.

How many PLTW courses may I teach?
There are seven high school courses currently (more are being added); the middle school program may be taught in one year or may be spread through a unit approach through grades 6 - 8.  Teachers may train for and teach as many of the PLTW courses as their districts/schools mandate.

Must I follow the PLTW course and pedagogy or may I make adjustments?
Yes, you must follow the curriculum. PLTW establishes the content and pedagogy to meet its high standards in whatever school or in whatever state these courses are taught. If PLTW fails to meet these standards, it will change the content.

Why should I participate in the PLTW program?
If you are a new or experienced teacher of math, science, technology or some other subject and are interested in participating in a professionally rewarding, stimulating and dynamic new engineering/engineering technology program which is expanding rapidly, Project Lead The Way is for you.  Consider the elements of the program: summer training at one of PLTW's National Training Centers; training and networking when you teach PLTW courses in the middle school or high school; access to the latest software programs in digital electronics, robotics and manufacturing processes; a laptop computer, provided by your school, that meets PLTW specifications; and the ability to earn graduate credit at participating colleges/universities for the PLTW courses.

How do meals work?
Breakfast is included in the room price of the hotels. Lunches for Monday-Friday July 7-16, (and on July 17 if needed), will be provided on campus as part of the registration fee. A welcome banquet dinner will be held July 6 on campus and a closing banquet will be held at a restaurant off campus July 16 . These are also are covered in the registration fee.  Teachers will need to make their own arrangements for most evening meals and connecting weekend meals. A list of Rolla-area restaurants, which are offering specials deals is included in this packet.

Where do I park?
A parking pass for a lot near your classroom will be mailed to you, as well as directions where to park. We will be asking that some of you double up since parking permits are limited this year.  The permit MUST be displayed in your rear window.  Most parking lots on campus are head-in parking only.

What credit may I receive toward my master's degree?
The Missouri S&T graduate credit process is explained in the website section titled Graduate Credit.

Is there a dress code?
Casual dress is acceptable. July is typically hot and humid in central Missouri.  Classrooms are air-conditioned and can be chilly, so you may want to bring a sweater, sweatshirt or jacket.  Students taking the CEA course will need to be prepared to conduct outdoor surveying labs. Please bring outdoor footwear, rain gear and a jacket.

Is the STI Tax Deductible?:
Unreimbursed educational expenses, including travel costs, may be partially or totally deductible from income for federal tax purposes. Confer with the IRS or tax consultants to determine the applicability of tax law to your circumstances.

What are the expections?
To ensure a successful STI experience, all participants are encouraged to review the following list of expectations:

Participant Expectations

All participants at Summer Training Institutes are expected to:

1. Arrive on opening day to load the appropriate software on laptops and to establish network access

2. Arrive on time at all daily class sessions (attendance will be taken daily)

3. Actively participate in classroom instruction

4. Complete all required assignments and assemble a portfolio

5. Attend evening sessions, if necessary (enrichment activities are optional unless your instructor indicates otherwise)

6. Turn all cell phones and pagers off during class instruction, unless absolutely necessary and then please set to vibrate.  Only critical calls should be answered,  and then outside of the classroom

7. Treat all participants and instructors professionally and with respect

8. Continue to review and become familiar with all curriculum material and work toward skill mastery after leaving the STI.