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ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. — Elizabethtown Independent Schools, local corporate sponsors and invited guests dedicated the new Project Lead the Way classroom at T.K. Stone Middle School on Tuesday, Sept. 25.

The district launched the "Gateway To Technology" curriculum — Project Lead the Way's middle school engineering program — as part of T.K Stone Middle School's science curriculum at the start of the 2012-2013 school year for its eighth-grade students.

During the dedication, students presented projects made possible through this new curriculum and demonstrated hands-on activities. Representatives from the district's community partners, Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, Dow Corning Corporation and Lowe's, were recognized for their support and for sponsoring the classroom and equipment necessary for the program.

"These corporate sponsorships have enabled our school district to establish funding in securing the best equipment, software, and curriculum for our students while providing the opportunity to share professional expertise in our classrooms," said Elizabethtown Independent Schools Superintendent Gary French.

Integrating the new, hands-on "Gateway To Technology" curriculum into T.K Stone for its eighth-grade students met two important needs: it helps students move toward career- and college-readiness, and it complements Elizabethtown Independent Schools' strategic plan.

In addition, it creates new opportunities for students to embrace creativity, real-world problem solving and innovation in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math, which is often referred to as STEM-based education.

"The hands-on based instruction will utilize heavy dose of technology that will appeal to those students for whom a traditional learning setting is not a motivator for learning," said French. "It is our hope and expectation that these students will become more involved in school and identify with careers in all aspects engineering as a result of their experience in PLTW."

Project Lead the Way (PLTW) programs emphasize critical thinking, creativity, innovation and real-world problem solving. The hands-on learning engages students on multiple levels, exposes them to areas of study that they may not otherwise pursue, and provides them with a foundation and proven path to post-secondary training and career success in fields related to science, technology, engineering and math.

Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies, are regulated utilities that serve a total of 1.2 million customers and have consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. LG&E serves 321,000 natural gas and 397,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties. Kentucky Utilities serves 546,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia. More information is available at www.lge-ku.com and www.pplweb.com.