The Project Lead the Way (PLTW) programs of two Lawrence County schools have received national recognition.

The science and engineering programs at Ironton Middle and Chesapeake Middle schools recently were honored by the overseer of Project Lead the Way.

PLTW is a non-profit organization whose mission is to offer intense instruction in science, technology, engineering and math at middle and high schools. The goal is to promote critical thinking, creativity, innovation and real-world problem-solving to prepare students for 21st Century scientific careers.

The program was begun in 1998 in 12 high schools in upstate New York and now is in all 50 states with 3,400 students participating.

“The schools have demonstrated commitment to the quality stands of PLTW and the real winners are the students,” John Lock, president and CEO of PLTW, said.

“Students are benefiting from an innovative curriculum that encourages creativity and critical thinking. We congratulate the entire community and look forward to many more years of working together to prepare students to become the most innovative and productive in the world.”

The honors came after PLTW representatives reviewed the school’s programs.

Chesapeake Middle School principal Ben Coleman cites the PLTW approach to classroom work as one of the factors that inspire students.

“It is project-based, not textbook memorization,” Coleman said. “It is hands-on learning.”