KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Classrooms are where curiosity can turn into discovery through hands-on experiences that encourage students to explore, create and solve real-world challenges. For the 2026-27 school year, students and educators across the country will benefit from new STEM learning resources through grants supported by the Burns & McDonnell Foundation. The grants will expand access to engaging learning experiences, helping students build confidence, strengthen problem-solving skills and connect classroom learning to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Grant recipients include schools supported through Project Lead The Way (PLTW) and the Burns & McDonnell STEM Grant Program. PLTW provides curriculum in engineering, computer science and biomedical science, along with resources and training that help educators create engaging, project-based learning experiences.

“When students have the opportunity to build, experiment and create, they begin to see how their ideas can make a difference,” says Julee Koncak, vice president, community relations at Burns & McDonnell. “Our goal is to support educators as they inspire discovery and help students develop a lifelong love of learning.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment in STEM occupations will grow 8.1% from 2024 to 2034, compared with 2.7% for non-STEM occupations. Hands-on STEM learning can help students connect classroom experiences with future education and career opportunities while developing critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving skills.

The Burns & McDonnell Foundation announced two major STEM grant initiatives in 2022 and continues to support schools through PLTW and the Burns & McDonnell STEM Grant Program. The Foundation committed another $1.5 million investment in PLTW over three years, from 2025 to 2027, and selected schools to receive $500,000 in STEM grants through the Burns & McDonnell STEM Grant Program for the latest cycle.

Burns & McDonnell supports STEM education through additional initiatives, including high school job shadow opportunities, Future U STEM Camp, an Educators Summit and activities and resources that extend STEM learning beyond the classroom.

About Burns & McDonnell

Working from more than 75 offices around the world, Burns & McDonnell designs and builds critical infrastructure. Our family of companies — driven by engineers, construction professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists — delivers projects grounded in safety and a desire to make a difference as we make our clients successful. Founded in 1898, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned. Learn more.

About Project Lead the Way

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) equips PreK-12 students for a STEM-driven world with teacher-empowered curriculum in computer science, engineering, biomedical science, and more. For over 25 years, PLTW’s curriculum coupled with its best-in-class professional development has supported teachers in creating an environment to make every student STEM successful. As a national nonprofit organization, PLTW is proud to reach 2.5 million students in elementary, middle, and high schools in all 50 states. With over 100,000 trained teachers nationwide, PLTW brings relevant, hands-on learning to classrooms across the country. For more information on Project Lead The Way, visit pltw.org.