CareerTech Gateway to Technology Program

**  Archived Project  **
(This initiative is no longer active in our portfolio.)

The Oklahoma CareerTech Gateway to Technology (GTT) program features a project-based curriculum designed to challenge and engage the natural curiosity and imagination of middle school students. The curriculum is provided through the nationally recognized Project Lead the Way program. 

The Oklahoma GTT program serves more than 4,700 students each year. 

GTT students envision, design and test their ideas with the same advanced modeling software used by companies like Lockheed Martin, Intel and Sprint. They study mechanical and computer control systems; think robotics and animation. Students also explore the importance of energy, including innovative ways to reduce, conserve and produce it using solar, thermal and wind power. Beginning in 2014, the program will include new environment and climatology units that are being made possible through an Oklahoma NSF EPSCoR grant award.  Students will participate in hands-on science activities related to issues such as weather, rainfall and global water issues.  (Note:  Participating teachers will be trained on the new curriculum prior to classroom implementation.)

Also, through the EPSCoR award, four new GTT schools sites will be implemented in rural areas of the state.  The knowledge that students gain and the skills they build from GTT create a strong foundation for further STEM learning in high school and beyond.

Throughout GTT, students acquire knowledge and skills in problem-solving, teamwork and innovation as well as explore STEM careers. Taught in conjunction with a rigorous academic curriculum, the program is divided into eight, nine-week independent units, assuming a 45-minute class period. Schools implement both foundation units and may add any combination of the specialization units.

GTT, intended for grades six through eight, is designed to spark an interest in STEM subjects and prepare students for further study in high school.