April 30, 2020

By Kelli Gile, WVUSD Office of Community Resources

WALNUT, CA--Walnut High School has earned the 2019-2020 PLTW Distinguished School Award for providing broad access to transformative learning opportunities in computer science, biomedical science, and engineering.

Walnut High is among only five schools in California to offer the rigorous International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme/Project Lead the Way (IBCP-PLTW) Biomedical Sciences Program.

“We are so incredibly proud of our PLTW and IBCP students who enthusiastically engage daily in hands-on activities and work together to find solutions to real-world challenges,” said teacher Chiara Morgan.

“The biomedical pathway immerses students in activities that do not always have a clear solution such as finding better treatments for cancer, gene editing, and evaluating the safety of community water sources. Students innovate solutions to such problems and present them to their peers, teachers, and administration. The biomedical pathway prepares students for a career in any biomedical related field.”

Only 143 high schools across the country received the special recognition for increasing student access, engagement, and achievement.

PLTW Distinguished Schools empower students with knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and prepare them to thrive no matter what career path they choose.

To be eligible for the distinction, high schools must offer at least three PLTW courses, have 25 percent of students or more participate in PLTW courses, and 95 percent take End-of-Course assessments.

Shown:

Walnut High School has been named a PLTW Distinguished School.