HOSA-Future Health Professionals attended the 2020 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Summit February 8-10 in Indianapolis, Indiana. There were over 800 attendees present to share ideas, engage each other in leading-edge activities, empower those in attendance to be the best they can be, and be inspired by speakers and presenters.  While in attendance, we were proud to visit with many of the 439 PLTW Biomedical Science teachers who also serve as HOSA advisors.

Tonya Aerts, HOSA Advisor from New Prairie United School in Indiana, presented an engaging workshop titled, “Because Everyone Has A Heart: How a HOSA Chapter Found its Purpose.” During this presentation, Tonya shared the tragedy experienced by her small community when they lost two students to sudden cardiac arrest. She described how heartbreak and pain led to purpose and leadership at her school. Tonya has helped lead efforts in spreading awareness around Sudden Cardiac Arrest and AED location, usage, and testing.

PLTW Summit 2020 is the premier gathering for the PLTW network with featured speaker, improvisor Judi Holler; dozens of presentations by PLTW partners, students and teachers from across the country; and interactive workshops, many of which provided educators the opportunity to earn continuing education units.

Project Lead The Way provides transformative learning experiences for PreK-12 students and teachers across the U.S.  They create an engaging, hands-on classroom environment and empower students to develop in-demand knowledge and skills they need to thrive.  PLTW also provides teachers with the training, resources and support needed to engage students in real-world learning.

HOSA was pleased to be the career and technical student organization (CTSO) in Indianapolis to share the importance of our partnership with PLTW. www.pltw.org