Vince Bertram

Project Lead The Way, Inc. Harvard University See contact info 500+ connections Vince Bertram is President and CEO of Project Lead The Way (PLTW), a nonprofit organization that provides transformative learning experiences for PK-12 students and teachers across the U.S. PLTW empowers students to develop in-demand, transportable knowledge and skills through pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. Thousands of PK-12 schools offer PLTW programs to millions of students in all 50 states and D.C. Vince believes the challenges facing our workforce and students – from the skills gap to underemployment – require large-scale, long-term solutions. He is dedicated to transforming the PK-12 education system to ensure it prepares students to succeed in work and life. Vince’s passion for education has been a driving force throughout his life. From his own work as an educator and superintendent to his current leadership at PLTW, Vince has been a lifelong champion for students. Show less Show less of Vince’s summary Articles & activity 7,079 followers Skills in Robotics Mean Unlimited Possibilities Vince’s profile photo Vince Bertram Published on LinkedIn One of my favorite events each year is the VEX Robotics World Championship, held this month in Louisville, Kentucky. Innovative students from across the country and globe (including many Project Lead The Way students) demonstrate their robotic creations and compete for top honors. As I look around the arena each year, I know that not all of these students will choose careers in robotics. These aren’t just future engineers, but also future journalists, diplomats, teachers, entrepreneurs, and countless other possibilities. No matter what future these students pursue, the skills they’re learning here and in the classroom will serve them for a lifetime. If these students find themselves working with robotics, they’ll be in a high-growth, high-demand field that promises a rewarding and fulfilling future. They’ll be creating the technology that will make everyday life easier, safer, and more prosperous, and there will be no shortage of openings. Robots are already being used in fields such as health care, logistics, law enforcement, and manufacturing, and learning how to engineer, operate, and work alongside these machines will only become more critical. According to a 2015 poll of senior corporate executives by the National Robotics Education Foundation, 81 percent of respondents said robotics was the top area of job growth in the country. But if they pursue a career in a different industry, the countless practices, weekends, and late-night hours they spent preparing for their VEX Robotics competitions will still prove invaluable. When students plan how to design and program their robots, they improve their critical and creative thinking skills. As they iterate and refine their robots, students learn persistence and problem solving skills. When they work with their teammates toward a greater goal, they learn how to effectively collaborate and communicate with others. And no matter what career a student pursues, these skills are invaluable. Our recent Transportable Skills Report proves just that, reporting these skills to be the most in-demand across industries. It’s for this reason that all students should have access to a hands-on STEM curriculum that incorporates real-world problems. And it’s not just through robotics education or extracurricular programs that students can develop these skills — in-school STEM programs can and should be an opportunity to learn transportable skills. Every student should have the chance to learn these skills, and when they continue to be integral assets in the workforce, it’s our responsibility to provide those opportunities. No matter what career a student pursues, the skills they’ve honed and put on display at the VEX World Championships will help them get there. While the future in STEM careers is bright, the skills learned here can be a vehicle for success in any career path. Each student here inspires my belief in our future — a future I see growing only brighter as more students experience STEM in a hands-on way. 95 Reactions 1 Comment Like Comment Share See all articles No alt text provided for this image Skills in Robotics Mean Unlimited Possibilities Vince shared this 95 Reactions 1 Comment See all activity Experience Project Lead The Way, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Company NameProject Lead The Way, Inc. Dates EmployedJun 2011 – Present Employment Duration8 yrs LocationIndianapolis, Indiana Area Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation Superintendent Company NameEvansville Vanderburgh School Corporation Dates EmployedJul 2007 – Jun 2011 Employment Duration4 yrs Education Harvard University Harvard University Degree NameM.ED. Field Of StudyEducation Policy and Management Georgetown University - The McDonough School of Business Georgetown University - The McDonough School of Business Degree NameMBA Ball State University Ball State University Degree NameEd.D., Ed.S., MS, BS Field Of StudyEducation MIT Sloan School of Management MIT Sloan School of Management Degree NameExecutive Certificate Field Of StudyStrategy and Innovation The University of Chicago Booth School of Business The University of Chicago Booth School of Business Degree NameCMI Field Of StudyManagement ESADE Business School ESADE Business School Degree NameMBA