By Glenn Rolfe

FRANKFORD — For the fourth consecutive year, Indian River School District’s John M. Clayton Elementary School has been recognized as a Project Lead the Way Distinguished School.

Among the 2021-22 honorees, JMC is one of 282 schools across the U.S. to receive this recognition for providing broad access to transformative learning opportunities through PLTW Launch.

PLTW is a nonprofit organization that serves millions of pre-K-12 students and teachers nationwide.

To be eligible, Clayton Elementary, a K-5 school with 512 pupils, had to have at least 75% of the student body participate in at least one PLTW Launch module and offer at least one module in each grade during the 2020-21 school year.

“It is truly an honor — and lots of fun — to teach the PLTW Launch program and provide these experiences for my students,” said Jaime Swartz, a STEM teacher at JMC.

All students at JMC are learning science, technology, engineering and math concepts through problem-based learning experiences in weekly classes.

“These experiences are hands-on and highly engaging for the students. In my classroom, all students are solving real-world problems using the knowledge and skills they attain from the learning activities,” Ms. Swartz said.

“You can find kindergarten students designing and creating their own paintbrushes to paint with. Or second grade students designing a device to keep an ice pop from melting and fourth grade students creating a safety restraint device to keep an egg from cracking in a collision.”

The Distinguished School recognition honors those committed to increasing student access, engagement and achievement in PLTW programs.

Studies show that students decide as early as elementary school whether they like and think they are good at math and science.

“We are honored to recognize John M. Clayton Elementary School for its unwavering commitment to provide students with an excellent educational experience, despite the last two years having been some of the most challenging in recent history for students and educators across the U.S. due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. David Dimmett, interim president/CEO of PLTW.

“John M. Clayton Elementary should be very proud of their achievements in unlocking their students’ potential and equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in life beyond the classroom no matter what career path they choose.”

For information about PLTW’s recognition program, visit here.