InspirED: A PLTW Podcast

Project Lead The Way
  • 5.0 (3)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

A thought-provoking podcast designed to discuss current educational topics, with thought leaders, school/district administrators, teachers, and PLTW industry partners.

Episodes

  1. When Passion Becomes a Profession

    FEB 27

    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 Dimmitt, 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   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  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  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  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  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  See the data behind the educational opportunity in advanced manufacturing boom: 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  Middle school students apply pre-engineering knowledge to develop prosthetics for community members: 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  National Engineers Week: https://www.nspe.org/connect/partners/engineers-week  ------------------------------  Connect on Social Media:  Internship Company Website - Oerlikon  UNC Charlotte College of Engineering Website  UNC Charlotte Engineering - Instagram    Facebook:   Hopewell Engineering and Manufacturing  Hopewell High School CMS  Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools  UNC Charlotte Engineering     LinkedIn:    Christopher Desmond  Kameran Blake  Kevin Morris  UNC Charlotte College of Engineering  Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools  Superintendent - Crystal Hill, Ed.D. - Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools    Instagram:  Hopewell High School    Hopewell Admin School   Hopewell Engineering/Manufacturing

    31 min
  2. Students Will Change the World: How PLTW’s Community Impact Awards find the best and brightest innovators in the country.

    JAN 30

    Students Will Change the World: How PLTW’s Community Impact Awards find the best and brightest innovators in the country.

    We kick-off Season 2 of InspirED: A PLTW Podcast by talking about our Community Impact Awards!   On this episode, Katie Minihan, EVP & Chief Impact Officer at Project Lead The Way talks with two exceptional PLTW teachers who also helped guide students towards winning the Community Impact Award.  High School teachers, Danielle Weber and Jason Huber, discuss the whole experience, from finding inspiration, the journey, the projects/students today, and the projects/students in the future. Host:   Katie Minihan, EVP & Chief Impact Officer  Guest(s):  Danielle Weber  Danielle is a STEM educator with twenty years of experience teaching and supporting science programs in Stamford, Connecticut. She currently teaches at the Academy of Information Technology and Engineering and also works with educators through Project Lead The Way, Mass Learning Project, and Connecticut's Alternative Route to Certification program.     Her professional roles have focused on curriculum development, instructional support, and helping teachers build effective learning experiences for students.perf Her work has been recognized by organizations including the Connecticut Science Teachers Association, PLTW, and the Petit Family Foundation.    Jason Huber  Jason has been a Technology Education teacher since 1995 and a Project Lead The Way instructor since 2002. He has served as a PLTW Master Teacher for IED and CEA since 2008 and has taught at Woodstock High School in Woodstock, Illinois, since 2011. Beyond his PLTW, his experience includes leadership roles as an Assistant Superintendent of Schools and Assistant Principal.  Outside the classroom, Jason and his wife flip homes, and when time allows, he serves as a behind-the-wheel instructor for summer Drivers Education.    --------------------  Resources:  Woodstock Community Unit School District #200    Students from the Academy of Information Technology and Engineering share how personal experiences inspired their award-winning project, “Pinch Pals”—a customizable, child-friendly device that reduces pain and anxiety for young patients with Type 1 Diabetes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm5h0Mo6bT8    Students from Woodstock High School discuss how they turned their vision of making the city more walkable into an award-winning project designed for impact and supported by city officials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4MywtoZC98    Ideas and innovations come to life in the PLTW Capstone course, where students apply what they’ve learned to solve a real-world problem. Learn more:  PLTW Capstone Course Outline: https://www.pltw.org/hubfs/PLTW_Brand/HS_Capstone_CourseOutline.pdf PLTW Capstone Course Resume: https://www.pltw.org/hubfs/PLTW_Brand/HS_Capstone_CourseResume.pdf PLTW Capstone Standards Connections: https://www.pltw.org/hubfs/PLTW_Brand/HS_SA_CAPSTONE.pdf PLTW High School Evidence Paper: https://www.pltw.org/hubfs/mjtw-assets/pdfs/Evidence_Paper___PLTW_HS_6_30_21_1.pdf   These outstanding projects from PLTW students will inspire you: https://www.pltw.org/blog/from-classroom-to-community-pltw-projects-that-make-a-difference    Educators can use the engineering design process to build and expand partnerships—here's how: https://www.pltw.org/blog/guest-post-funding-and-grants-creating-engineering-partnerships    Submissions for the 2026–27 Community Impact Awards are open—recognize your middle or high school students for their innovative ideas and commitment to making an impact: https://www.pltw.org/experience-pltw/awards-and-recognition/community-impact-awards   -------------------- Connect on Social Media:  Woodstock High School on Facebook   Academy of Information Technology and Engineering at Stamford Public Schools on Instagram  Stamford Public Schools on Instagram  Danielle Weber on LinkedIn

    40 min
  3. InspirED: LIVE at MasterMinds 2025

    12/19/2025

    InspirED: LIVE at MasterMinds 2025

    We close out 2025 with a very special episode, InspirED: LIVE from MasterMinds 2025!  MasterMinds is an exclusive PLTW event designed to bring PLTW Master Teachers together for 3 days of relationship building, professional learning, and fun.  MasterMinds was truly an amazing event this year, and we wanted to capitalize on having so many exceptional educators in one place.  So, President and CEO, Dr. David Dimmett, sat down with some Master Teachers to talk about everything from the experience of being a PLTW teacher, to the experiences teachers have had that have shaped their lives, their students’ lives, and their community. Resources: This free activity from PLTW Launch gets students out of their seats and thinking like a computer scientist. Try it in any PreK–5 classroom. Register here to see PLTW in action at a local showcase. Check-out Katie Cunningham’s podcast, “Locking Down Cyber” on Spotify! Featured educator spotlights:  Darnaby Elementary School piloted PLTW Launch in 2013, and educators Kristin Robinson and Suzanne Martin have been there from the start. When Torry Spanier wanted to expand project-based learning and engineering into middle school, he chose PLTW Gateway. Here’s the newest unit from the curriculum. Hands-on experiences in Corey Duzan’s PLTW Engineering courses helped this student build confidence and competence for a future career. Using industry-standard software, learning technical skills, and preparing for certifications is par for the course in Katie Cunningham’s PLTW Computer Science students—see what students learn. PLTW students build solutions that capture attention—here’s one from a former student of Susan Jones. PiHi Samurai isn’t just a fun name, it’s an award-winning robotics team that Bill Van Loo mentors and cheers for through their first-place wins. Elkhorn Middle School students turned an idea into an award-winning community impact—learn about their project in Eryca Card’s class. Kristin Robinson  PLTW Launch at Darnaby Elementary School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Suzanne Martin  PLTW Launch at Darnaby Elementary School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tory Spanier  Gateway: Design & Modeling, Automation & Robotics, and Algebra 1 Advantage at Delano High School in Delano, Minnesota. Corey Duzan  Introduction to Engineering Design at Lockport Township High School, in Lockport, Illinois.  Katie Cunningham  Computer Science Pathway, Computer Science Essentials, Computer Science Principles, and Cybersecurity at Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Upton, Massachusetts. Susan Jones  Computer Science Essentials, Computer Science Principles, Computer Science A, Cybersecurity, Computer Science Foundations, Algebra 1 Advantage, and PLTW Capstone at Midway High School in Waco, Texas. Eryca Card  Green Architecture and the PLTW K-8 District Coordinator for Elkhorn Area Middle School in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Bill Van Loo  Intro to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering, and Engineering Capstone at Pioneer High School, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Connect On Social Media:  Suzanne on Instagram  Darnaby Elememtary School on Facebook  Union Public Schools-Tulsa, OK. on Facebook  Tory on LinkedIn  Tory on Facebook  Delano Public Schools on Facebook  Delano Public Schools on YouTube  Corey on X  Corey on LinkedIn  Lockport Township HS on X  Lockport Township HS on Facebook  Katie on X  Katie on LinkedIn  Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Department on Instagram  Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical HS on Instagram  Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical HS on X  Susan on LinkedIn  Eryca on Facebook  Eryca on LinkedIn  Elkhorn Area MS on YouTube  Elkhorn Area MS on Facebook  Elkhorn Area MS on Instagram  Elkhorn Area School District on Facebook  Elkhorn Area School District on X  Bill on Instagram  Bill on LinkedIn  Ann Arbor Public Schools Career & Technology Education on Instagram  Pioneer H.S./PiHi Samurai on Instagram

    42 min
  4. PLTW Alumni Spotlight: Meet Anyshya Hemphill

    10/31/2025

    PLTW Alumni Spotlight: Meet Anyshya Hemphill

    In this episode, President and CEO of Project Lead The Way, Dr. David Dimmett, sits down with PLTW alum, Anyshya Hemphill and her former PLTW teacher and mentor, Christina Chandler, to chat about their PLTW experiences, the early days of Anyshya’s STEM journey, what she’s doing now, and what is on the horizon for her.  This is our first PLTW Alumni Spotlight episode, but we plan to do more in the future.  If you or someone you know is a PLTW Alumni and are interested in sharing your story on an upcoming episode of the podcast, please feel free to send a direct message to @pltworg on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook.  Guest(s):   Christina Chandler, Community Impact Education Manager at JE Dunn Construction. Former PLTW teacher. Anyshya Hemphill, Computer Science Major/Psychology Minor at the University of Missouri-Colombia.  Mizzou NSBE President. --------------------  Resources:  Mizzou National Society of Black Engineers     Girls in STEM KC     Student Made Mizzou    Article: https://business.missouri.edu/about/news/mizzous-hustle-culture-finds-home-new-online-retail-platform    Cyber Creationz Tech   Girls Who Code    --------------------  More Learning! Case Study: How the KC STEM Alliance increases student access and career potential: https://www.pltw.org/hubfs/PLTW_Brand/KCSTEMAlliance_CaseStudy.pdf    Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) and PLTW have been collaborating for years—and the impact is clear: https://www.pltw.org/hubfs/KCPS_ImpactProfile.pdf    More PLTW high school courses = better student outcomes. See the data: https://www.pltw.org/hubfs/PLTW_Brand/impact-profiles/Missouri-PLTW_One-Pager_Digital.pdf    Collaboration with classmates and community can take projects to an award-winning level: https://www.pltw.org/blog/2024-25-pltw-community-impact-awards-celebrating-student-innovation-and-real-world-problem-solving    Computer science and engineering courses helped Anyshya build her STEM identity in high school—explore the curriculum here: https://www.pltw.org/curriculum   -------------------- Connect on Social Media:  Connect with Anyshya on LinkedIn  JE Dunn Construction on LinkedIn  JE Dunn on Facebook  JE Dunn on X  JE Dunn on Instagram  #jedunnbuildingthefuture

    26 min

  5. 09/26/2025

    Skill Sets and Mindsets: The Hidden Curriculum

    In Episode 4 of InspirED: A PLTW Podcast, Dr. David Dimmett, President and CEO of Project Lead The Way sits down with Dorice Warren, a PLTW Master Teacher at Mill Creek MS, in Kent, Washington, and Dr. David Conley, founder and president of EdImagine, a consultancy helping educational organizations improve effectiveness and strategic direction.     Let's dig into Transferable Skills.  What are they?  Why are they vital to student success?  How do we foster them in today’s classrooms?  How do they impact career preparedness?    Resources  Building Bright Futures With Project Lead The Way: Video from Burns and McDonnell  College and Career Readiness Skills – Comparability Study  https://edimagine.com/  Mill Creek Middle School (Website)  Kent School District (Website)  Washington Association for Better Schools  Read the article: Why power skills – formerly known as ‘soft skills’ – are the key to business success: https://theconversation.com/why-power-skills-formerly-known-as-soft-skills-are-the-key-to-business-success-257310  Research from Burning Glass and PLTW explores the why, what, and how of developing in-demand, durable skills for all students: https://www.pltw.org/hubfs/mjtw-assets/pdfs/ThePowerOfTransportableSkills_PLTW.pdf  “Engineering happens in all languages”—and here’s how teachers can help English Learner (EL) students build confidence, no matter where they are in their educational journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qWSH3ZLYPY  Curiosity and compassion are at the forefront of these PLTW Gateway classes, where students discover the impact of limb loss—and design solutions to help people in their communities adapt: https://www.pltw.org/blog/middle-school-stem-prosthetics  High school PLTW teams in Missouri compete to in a high-stakes stadium innovation challenge—a 48-hour event that tests their collaboration, innovation, and creativity skills: https://www.pltw.org/blog/pltw-students-shine-in-stadium-innovation-make48-challenge  Motivation and problem solving come together in these award-winning projects from middle and high school students: https://www.pltw.org/experience-pltw/national-awards/community-impact-awards  Four schools with expansive high school STEM and CTE programs that graduate students with career connections and critical professional skills: https://www.pltw.org/blog/how-to-expand-career-readiness-in-high-schools-naf-pltw    Connect on Social Media:  Dr. David Conley on LinkedIn  Dorice Warren  Kent School District on Facebook  Kent School District on Instagram

    30 min

  6. 08/29/2025

    The Career Connections Journey

    In this episode of InspirED: A PLTW Podcast, Rocky Valadez, Senior Vice President of Engagement for PLTW, sits down with Paul Ketcham, Superintendent of Batesville Community Schools, and Dr. Jake Allen, Superintendent at Mooresville Consolidated School Corporation to look at the importance of career connections that are built-in to what we do here at PLTW.      If you’re looking for real examples of schools and districts fostering a career ready mindset from PreK, all the way to graduation, this is the episode for you!    #PLTW #STEM #CTE #CareerAdvantage #STEMeducation  --------------------  Resources  Batesville Community School Corporation Mooresville Schools Ford NGL (Next Generation Learning) 280+ career connections PLTW students explore from PreK through 12th grade: https://www.pltw.org/career-advantage-brochure Rosie’s Runtime, a free computational thinking activity from the PLTW curriculum (PreK–5): https://www.pltw.org/rosies-runtime A STEM ecosystem model that increases student access and career potential (case study): https://www.pltw.org/hubfs/PLTW_Brand/KCSTEMAlliance_CaseStudy.pdf Evidence-based curriculum that helps meet ELA, math, science, skill development, and career readiness goals: https://www.pltw.org/curriculum Teacher training that builds confidence in hands-on learning and STEM: https://www.pltw.org/professional-development Transformational STEM grants for your school: https://www.pltw.org/plan-for-pltw/investment/funding-grants/grant-opportunities --------------------  Connect on Social Media:  Batesville Community School Corporation  Facebook Instagram LinkedIn X Paul Ketcham on LinkedIn Paul Ketcham on X/Twitter Mooresville Schools  Facebook Instagram LinkedIn X Dr. Jake Allen on LinkedIn

    33 min

  7. 07/31/2025

    Partners + Proof + Empowerment = Career Advantage

    One episode wasn’t enough!    Katie, Joel, and Dave kept the conversation going for Episode 2 by digging deeper into how Career Advantage is positively impacting PLTW graduates through Industry Recognized Credentials (IRCs), ability to earn college credit, enhanced work-based learning opportunities, increased Internship opportunities, industry partnership funded school/district grants, and exceptional teacher training.    #PLTW #STEM #CTE #CareerAdvantage #STEMeducation  --------------------  Resources  See how PLTW aligns w/280+ Career Paths:  https://www.pltw.org/career-advantage-brochure  PLTW: The First 25 Years:  https://youtu.be/AydwljBWQxE?si=ad3PSFcb-nK3HWET  PLTW: The Next 25 Years:  https://youtu.be/8F2e9H_pB34?si=53ICnGMkjEb27qsL  Meet the PLTW National Award Winners for 2024-2025:  https://www.pltw.org/experience-pltw/national-awards/national-awards-winners  Meet our partners: https://www.pltw.org/partners  Learn more about Industry Recognized Credentials:   Autodesk:  https://www.autodesk.com/certification/overview  REC Foundation (Pre-engineering/Robotics):  https://www.pltw.org/blog/pltw-and-recf-powering-the-future-of-engineering-and-robotics-education  https://v5rc-kb.recf.org/hc/en-us/articles/9684980953111-Earning-Pre-Engineering-Robotics-Certifications    Java:  https://www.pltw.org/blog/curriculum-updates#:~:text=The%20Java%20Certification%20unit%20is,dramatically%20reducing%20spin-up%20time.    https://education.oracle.com/java-se-8-programmer-i/pexam_1Z0-808  Check-out all the Higher Education institutions currently offering college credit to PLTW graduates: https://www.pltw.org/experience-pltw/student-opportunities  STEM grants for your school: https://www.pltw.org/plan-for-pltw/investment/funding-grants/grant-opportunities  --------------------  Connect on Social Media:  Burns and McDonnell Facebook: Burns & McDonnell Instagram: @burnsmcdonnell X: @BurnsMcDonnell LinkedIn: Burns & McDonnell Lockheed Martin Facebook: Lockheed Martin X: @LockheedMartin Instagram: @lockheedmartin LinkedIn: Lockheed Martin

    25 min

  8. 06/23/2025

    Creating a Career Advantage

    To kick-off InspirED: A PLTW Podcast, Dr. David Dimmett (CEO of Project Lead The Way), Dr. Katie Minihan (EVP & Chief Impact Officer), and Joel Kupperstein (EVP & Chief Product Officer) sit down to discuss Career Advantage and how Project Lead The Way has been, and continues to be the leader in career discovery, career exploration, and career preparation for K12 schools nationwide.  #PLTW #STEM #CTE #CareerAdvantage #InspiredbyPLTW #STEMeducation  --------------------  Highlighted on this episode: Brian Rhodes/Blackstone Valley Tech Instagram: @bvt_highschool X: @BVTHighSchool Claude Charron/AC Reynolds High School Facebook: A.C. Reynolds High School Facebook: Buncombe County Schools X: @BuncombeSchools Instagram: @buncombeschools   2024-2025 PLTW Community Impact Award (High School) Facebook: The Stamford Public Schools Instagram: @stamfordpublicschools Washington Community Schools Facebook: Washington Community Schools  Instagram: @washcommschools X: @WashCommSchools LinkedIn: Washington Community Schools  DeSoto Independent School District Facebook: Desoto ISD X: @desotoisdeagles Instagram: @desotoisdeagles LinkedIn: DESOTO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT  Burns and McDonnell Facebook: Burns & McDonnell Instagram: @burnsmcdonnell X: @BurnsMcDonnell LinkedIn: Burns & McDonnell Burns and McDonnell: https://www.burnsmcd.com/Lockheed Martin Facebook: Lockheed Martin X: @LockheedMartin Instagram: @lockheedmartin LinkedIn: Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin: https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/index.html

    24 min
  • 8 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A thought-provoking podcast designed to discuss current educational topics, with thought leaders, school/district administrators, teachers, and PLTW industry partners.

Information

  • Creator
    Project Lead The Way
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025
  • Show Website
    InspirED: A PLTW Podcast