Ozark West Elementary School science teacher Angela Lurvey was excited to learn she received a $5,000 grant from John Deere through Project Lead the Way. Lurvey hopes she can use the grant to help get students get excited about science.
“I wasn’t expecting to receive it,” Lurvey said. “I hope it gets kids excited about things they can do with science and possible careers. I want what they learn in elementary school to gear them up for things they can use in science in later grades.”
Project Lead the Way is a nonprofit organization that develops educational materials in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Lurvey will use the $5,000 to purchase additional Project Lead the Way materials, such as robotics and engineering equipment that will allow for interactive learning experiences.
According to the Project Lead the Way website, the organization helps teachers “create an engaging, hands-on classroom environment and empower students to develop in-demand knowledge and skills they need to thrive.”
Jose Cano, manufacturing engineer with John Deere Reman in Springfield, said John Deere likes supporting programs that introduce kids to engineering at an early age.
“John Deere needs people that have STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and leadership skills,” Cano said. “Project Lead the Way is one of those projects that teaches kids to be leaders.”
