Please note: We are not asking for donations for this petition, just your signature to show your support for STEM at Ridgely Middle School (RMS).

This petition was started by Ridgely parents in support of the STEM programs at RMS.  We were disappointed by the cuts to the 2024-2025 school year curriculum.  If you are in support of STEM programs being protected and expanded at Ridgely Middle School, please sign and share this petition.

We are asking the administration to reinstate the PLTW program at Ridgely for 6th, 7th and 8th graders - either as part of their required specials rotation or as an option for their specials (much like how students may choose between music and art). 

Background:

• Project Lead the Way (PLTW) https://www.pltw.org/ is the STEM curriculum used in select BCPS schools.  It explores various technology, design and engineering topics with a special focus on career opportunities and experiential learning.  
• Previously, 6th, 7th and 8th grade students at Ridgely Middle School all rotated through PLTW for at least part of the school year as one of their specials.  However, when Ridgely switched to block scheduling in the '24-'25 school year, PLTW was removed from the 6th and 7th grade curriculum, and it is now only offered as an optional course for 8th grade students for one semester. 
• The PLTW program is closely aligned with the Ridgely Robotics Team https://www.ridgelyrobotics.com/, the largest club at the school.  The two robotics coaches are also the PLTW teachers.
• Other schools in the district, such as Hereford Middle School, are actively expanding their technology programs, even with block scheduling.
• Discussions about staffing and scheduling for next year are happening now - with final decisions expected by the end of February.  It is important for the administration to know that the community is in support of preserving and growing the PLTW program while those decisions are being made. 

Why support PLTW at Ridgely?

• STEM occupations consistently show the greatest growth and projection for growth in the job market.  Even careers not typically categorized as being in technology-driven fields are requiring workers to have a general fluency in skills like computer science and digital design tools.  It’s important that all students are introduced to these topics early to prepare them for being successful members of the future workforce.
• Middle school is a time when students are just beginning to learn about different fields of study and career paths.  They will be required to make choices in high school that will refine their learning paths.  It’s crucial to get exposure to the different options before they have to make those decisions.  As it stands now, the majority of Ridgely students will make commitments to high school before ever having the opportunity to take a PLTW class.
• Local high schools offer exceptional technology and engineering programs that benefit from entering freshman having a STEM foundation upon which to build.  It’s important for students to have identified their interest in STEM classes by being exposed to the PLTW curriculum in middle school so they can choose to opt in to those opportunities in high school.  The PLTW completer program at Dulaney HS and the Eastern Tech Engineering Careers magnet program are excellent examples.
• Public schools are having to increasingly compete with private and magnet school programs.  The PLTW and robotics programs at Ridgely make it stand out as a unique and sought after school option for families with kids who are interested in technology and prioritize access to STEM learning opportunities.

Thank you for signing this petition in support of STEM programs at Ridgely.  If you would like to take an additional step, we encourage you to also email Dr. Barish to share why PLTW is important to your family: sbarish@bcps.org