Fort Zumwalt North High School teacher Steven Schlarman was recently named a 2024 recipient of Project Lead The Way’s National Outstanding Teacher Award. He is one of only 103 teachers across the nation to be recognized.
Fort Zumwalt North High School biomedical science teacher Steven Schlarman has been recognized by Project Lead the Way as one of only 103 teachers in the nation to earn its Outstanding PLTW Teacher Award. The award recognizes educators who demonstrate a strong record of delivering an inspiring and empowering student experience, while expanding access to Project Lead The Way (PLTW) programs and transforming teaching.
Schlarman came to Fort Zumwalt as a science teacher in 2022. He started teaching PLTW Biomedical strand classes in 2017 when he was in Hazelwood and has added more sections each year since arriving at North High.
“His classes became so popular that he now teaches PLTW full time,” says Dr. Pat Brown, Executive Director of STEM and CTE in Fort Zumwalt School District.
“He’s grown the program in such a positive way,” Brown says. “One of his biggest contributions is that his Biomedical Innovations class focuses on research.
“The problem solving and the ability to think critically about data is probably the most important things students take away from that BI class,” Brown says. “Obviously, they can’t do the same kind of research a PhD can do. They don’t have the same resources. But they know what they want to figure out and it’s fantastic to see what they do with that knowledge when they are in a collaborative atmosphere like Steven’s classroom.”
Schlarman’s students have presented at the STEM-STL showcase the past two years. Some have even earned scholarships with their research projects.
“One of the most important things we do at Project Lead The Way is recognize and celebrate impactful teaching and learning. Educators across our network are helping students become engaged in their learning, while preparing them for careers and their future,” said Dr. David Dimmett, PLTW President and CEO. “We recognize their exceptional leadership and congratulate them for making an impact, not only on their students, but within their school communities.”
Fort Zumwalt School District also offers high school students PLTW pathways in computer science and in engineering. At the middle school level, all students participate in PLTW Computer Science in sixth grade and have the option to take it as an elective in eighth grade.
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