Project Lead The Way
Jan 23, 2014 4:32 PM
Cited by the Harvard Graduate School of Education as a “model for 21st century career and technical education,” Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a non-profit organization that provides Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) education through its curriculum programs that are used in middle and high schools across the United States. When the organization recently established its national headquarters in Indianapolis, it called on integration firm Sensory Technologies to kit out its facilitator training room, where STEM educators and corporate supporters often gather.
“PLTW required an impressive, highly technical headquarter facility,” says Derek Paquin, principal at Sensory Technologies, which is also based in Indianapolis, “one that would help PLTW leadership offer a clear road map to their corporate sponsors as well as feature facilitation space to effectively provide curricular training and support.”
In the training room, Sensory Technologies installed a 3×3 55in. monitor videowall featuring two 15in. touch panels—one at the lectern and one at a control desk location—with annotation capabilities and push-button control of lighting, shades, and display monitor shifts. Three digital signage monitors inside of the training room on a side wall are part of a building-wide digital signage solution and can display separate content messaging. There is also a high-definition videoconference system utilizing Cisco codecs with a Shure wireless microphone audio conference system and Biamp DSP audio processing. Crestron’s Digital Media infrastructure and Crestron Control system along with Boxcast streaming software, Cisco Jabber video conference software, and Focus digital signage software, all serve as the controlling backbone of the installation, which also includes streaming, archiving, and bridging services and support as well as Apple TV’s for wireless laptop transmission.
“PLTW also utilizes several of Sensory Technologies ongoing services, including JOIN, a bridging services for video and audio conferencing; FOCUS, a digital messaging service for signage; Refresh, a unique proactive service that eliminates technology obsolescence; and 24-hour Client Solution Center Technical support,” says Paquin. “These ongoing services and support interactions speak to the successful partnership that exists between PLTW and Sensory Technologies.”
The AV systems are setup along with the IT infrastructure in order to provide unified messaging throughout the PLTW facility, Paquin explains. These systems wirelessly present to the videowall, stream presentations, and VOIP integration. There is also a digital signage hosted service throughout the headquarters building.
“PLTW’s comprehensive curriculum for engineering and biomedical sciences has been collaboratively designed by PLTW teachers, university educators, engineering and biomedical professionals, and school administrators to promote critical thinking, creativity, innovation, and real-world problem solving skills in students,” Paquin says. “As they provide and promote STEM curriculum, they realize the importance technology plays in parlaying their products and message. Facilitator training now can occur more efficiently and effectively, reducing the time required.”
EQUIPMENT LIST
· Clarity Matrix 55in. LCD videowall System
· Crestron-DM-MD32X32-RPS, 32×32 DigitalMedia Switcher w/Redundant Power
· Crestron DM-RMC-SCALER-C, DigitalMedia 8G+ receiver & room controller
· Biamp Audiaflex CM 240, Audia FLEX Chassis with CobraNet module
· JBL Pro control 26CT, Control 26C with transformer
· Shure ULXP124/85, includes WL185 Microflex
Shure MX690 cardiod condenser low-profile
