Expanding Program Inspires Young Engineers

Kansas City, MO – This week, Kansas legislators announced a new task force to study the state's shortage of engineering graduates. Leaders say there's an increasing demand for skilled engineers in areas such as energy, water and health care, which will play a key role in the state's future economic prosperity. Many colleges find that students who might be interested in engineering aren't academically prepared to succeed in the major. But a new curriculum in Kansas City area middle and high schools, on both sides of state line, is trying to fill the gap.

Nineteen local school districts have implemented Project Lead the Way - it's a rigorous course of study designed for middle and high school students. KCUR's Sylvia Maria Gross recently stopped by Rosedale Middle School in Kansas City Kansas to watch the program in action.

We also spoke to the national Project Lead the Way Vice President Dick Blais, who developed the original curriculum.

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