BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- In recognition of National Engineers Week, on Friday, Chevron and Project Lead the Way (PLTW) will announce five Bakersfield Schools that will receive a total of $118,000 in funding to advance STEM education and engineering curriculum, provided by Project Lead the Way.

Bakersfield schools selected to participate in this demonstration project include Centennial High School, Bakersfield High School, Golden Valley High School, Highland High School, and Fruitvale Junior High School.

PLTW is a national educational organization that prepares students to be the most innovative and productive leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and to make meaningful, pioneering contributions to our world.

PLTW programs include Pathways to Engineering for high school students and Gateway to Technology for middle school students, featuring courses such as Principles of Engineering, Introduction to Engineering Design, Automation and Robotics and Flight and Space, among others.

Chevron has partnered with PLTW as part of its California Partnership, an initiative to invest in education and economic development in its home state. Under the new initiative, Chevron is expanding its partnerships with nonprofits focused on supporting underserved communities, including relationships with more than 20 new nonprofit partners providing programs for education, entrepreneurs and job training. For more information on Chevron’s community investment endeavors in California visit: Partnering with California | Chevron.

Chevron and PLTW will hold a check presentation ceremony at Centennial High School’s Woodshop Lab, 8601 Hageman Road, on Friday at 9:50 a.m. Kern High School District Superintendant Dr. Don Carter, Chevron’s Adam Alvidrez, and Principals of Centennial, Bakersfield, Golden Valley and Highland High Schools will join students in their Project Lead the Way woodworking classroom to announce the recipients of this award.