NEWTOWN SQUARE, PENNSYLVANIA, USA – With funding from the PMI Educational Foundation, Eastern Michigan University will be able to launch Project Lead the Way for 6^th through 12^th grade students in Michigan, USA.  Project Lead the Way is a national program that offers a project-based curriculum for students who are interested in science, engineering, engineering technology or related careers. This hands-on, problem based  approach to learning adds relevance and rigor to program.  

The grant from the PMI Educational Foundation will support the training of school teachers of mathematics, science and technology to learn Project Lead The Way methodology and content so they can implement the Project Lead the Way curriculum in their schools during the 2008-2009 school year.

Eastern Michigan University was chosen in 2006 by the national Project Lead the Way organization as the official university affiliate in Michigan for Project Lead the Way. 

“What Eastern Michigan University is doing with Project Lead the Way aligns with our goals at the PMI Educational Foundation to promote economic, educational, cultural and social advancement through project management by making it more readily available to those who want to learn about the practice and the application of project management,” said Greg Balestrero, chief executive officer of the Project Management Institute (PMI) and chief operating officer of the PMI Educational Foundation.  “We are pleased to support this worthy cause in a tangible way.”

“Enabling primary and secondary school students to have the opportunity to be more successful in their education is a primary program area for the PMI Educational Foundation,” said Karen R. White, PMI Educational Foundation Chair.  “Through such support and the PMIEF Scholarships and Awards, we are building better futures through a better prepared society for future success.”

“Through this generous grant, Easter Michigan University will be able to fulfill the trust displayed in us by the national Project Lead The Way Program,” said Dr. Paul W. Kuwik, state director for Project Lead the Way, and a professor at Eastern Michigan University. “On behalf of the students and teachers in Michigan, we are grateful to the PMI Educational Foundation for this support.”

Grants from the PMI Educational Foundation are made possible by contributions from organizations and individuals who want to empower the future of project management. Information about how to support the PMI Educational Foundation with contributions can be found at www.pmi.org/pmief . 

About Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University (EMU) in Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA, is a public, comprehensive university that offers programs in the arts, sciences and professions. Since 1849, EMU has been committed to the highest standards in the classroom, the community and the world. With 24,000 students of all ages and walks of life from around the globe, we are able to combine a world-class university with a thriving, connected community environment. The Master of Science in Construction Management degree at EMU is accredited by the PMI Global Accreditation Center for Project Management. Please visit emich.edu for more information.

About Project Lead the Way
Project Lead the Way^®(PLTW) is a not-for-profit organization that promotes pre-engineering courses for middle and high school students.  PLTW forms partnerships with public schools, higher education institutions and the private sector to increase the quantity and quality of engineers and engineering technologists graduating from the United States educational system.  The PLTW curriculum was first introduced to 12 New York State high schools in the 1997-1998 school year.  A year later, PLTW field tested its four unit Middle School Program in three middle schools.  Today, the programs are offered in more than 2,200 schools throughout the United States. Please visit pltw.org for additional information. 

About Project Management Institute Educational Foundation (PMIEF)
PMI Educational Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Project Management Institute (PMI), is a not-for-profit, non-political organization that champions project management knowledge and skills for educational and social good. Founded in 1990 by PMI, PMI Educational Foundation provides scholarships, confers awards, sponsors research, prepares and disseminates project management-related educational material and awards financial grants to support project management life skills and humanitarian programs. Please visit PMIEF.org for more information.

About PMI
With more than 260,000 members in 170 plus countries, the Project Management Institute, Inc. (PMI) is the leading membership association for the project management profession and the largest association dedicated to project management in the world. As the leading advocate for the profession, PMI is actively engaged in setting professional standards, providing a professional career path for project managers and maintaining a family of globally-transferable professional credentials: Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM^®), Project Management Professional (PMP^®) and Program Management Professional (PgMP)^®. Additionally, the Institute provides members with access to the knowledge, skills, educational support and networking opportunities needed to drive business results through project management, program management and portfolio management.  PMI is highly regarded for its extensive research capabilities.  PMI was founded in 1969. Please visit PMI.org for more information.