What if STEM education wasn’t just about formulas and lab reports—but about solving real problems, transforming lives, and reshaping entire communities?

In this episode, we’re talking about how hands-on, project-based STEM education is making that vision a reality through Project Lead The Way, a nonprofit that’s helping millions of students across the U.S. become tomorrow’s changemakers.

From building bionic arms to redesigning city infrastructure, PLTW students and educators are showing us what’s possible when curiosity meets opportunity.

We’re joined by four awesome guests:

Dr. David Dimmett is the President and CEO of Project Lead The Way. With a background in education leadership and a love of lifelong learning, David shares how PLTW is giving students not just technical knowledge but real-world skills in problem-solving, communication and ethics.

Dr. Albert Manero is a PLTW alumnus and co-founder of Limbitless Solutions, a company that designs and delivers expressive, low-cost bionic arms for kids. Albert talks about how his early exposure to engineering through PLTW led him to a career focused on social impact and innovation.

Jason Huber is a PLTW instructor at Woodstock High School in Illinois where he teaches multiple engineering courses and advises a thriving robotics club. Jason gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how STEM education is changing the classroom experience—and helping students realize they can be inventors of their own future.

Liam Hansen is a PLTW graduate and current mechanical engineering student at the University of Tennessee. Along with his classmates, Liam led a community-changing project to improve walkability in his hometown and won the first-ever PLTW Community Impact Award. He shares what it’s like to turn classroom learning into real-world action.

Together we talk about mentorship, project-based learning and the kind of education that doesn’t just prepare students for jobs—but prepares them for life.

In This Episode:

[03:12] Project Lead the Way is a 501(c)(3), we're a nonprofit started over 25 years ago by one teacher in one high school in upstate New York, now working with over two and a half million students all across the country. The goal is to help young people get excited about and prepare for great careers through project-based hands-on learning.

[04:10] The focus is primarily on engineering, biomedical science, and computer science.

[05:01] They work with companies and global leaders to ensure the curriculum prepares students for great careers and lives.

[06:21] David was a high school English teacher. He worked his way into school administration and then got involved in Project Lead the Way. He loved the power of bringing relevance to the classroom.

[07:50] It's so powerful to see students get excited about learning.

[09:03] Albert has taken his Project Lead the Way experience and built something extraordinary with Limbitless Solutions.

[09:58] Why Albert chose to focus on prosthetics.

[12:13] Students with engineering backgrounds and Project Lead the Way experience have early exposure to 3D design, 3D modeling, and critical thinking skills.

[13:03] How Project Lead The Way helps prepare students for a collaborative environment.

[14:00] Jason and his class won the Project Lead The Way inaugural community impact award.

[14:51] Jason talks about the Walkability Project and why it was a real eye-opener for the kids. The students dedicated a whole year working on this capstone project.

[17:58] They faced many challenges and had to figure out how to recover and what to do. 

[18:26] It was also a challenge for the students to balance the demands of the project with their personal commitments.

[19:37] They had to investigate where the crosswalks and sidewalks were in the city and they made their own maps.

[20:09] The project also drew the attention of the International Design Shop.

[21:11] Jason was nervous during the presentation. He reminded the students that they were the experts in the room.

[23:04] The most rewarding part about teaching for Jason is the "aha" moments when he sees the lights go on for the kids.

[24:24] Liam shares his experience and how the Walkability Project became one of his top priorities.

[25:38] How projects like Project Lead The Way help students see a connection between their studies and real world applications. The students use real world technology. It's a hands-on project.

[27:36] Liam talks about the impact this program has had on his life. Now he's studying mechanical engineering at the University of Tennessee.

[29:04] Project Lead The Way helps take some of the mysteriousness out of things like engineering.

[30:37] How Project Lead The Way was able to make STEM more accessible and exciting for students. It makes learning fun and revolves around the process.

[32:03] Learning is the focus of growth. It's okay to fail.

[34:36] The teachers are working together to create a challenging and engaging experience for young people in their communities.

[35:46] Advice includes staying curious about how projects come together.

[36:10] Enjoy the unique hands-on aspect of the class.

[36:44] They focus on STEM, but there's also elements of art and design in the work. 

[37:47] There's no shortage of challenges for students to address.

[38:07] Technology is changing so fast that education needs to stay on top of it.

[38:59] Liam wants STEM education to be at the forefront so other kids can have the experience he had.

Resources: 

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Limbitless Solutions

David L. Dimmett - LinkedIn

Dr. Albert Manero - LinkedIn

Jason Huber - Woodstock High School team wins national PLTW Award

Liam Hanson - LinkedIn