In one Harmony classroom, students collaborate around a prototype designed to solve a real-world problem. Down the hall, classmates use coding skills to bring a project to life on a screen. Across the district, future engineers, scientists, healthcare professionals, and innovators are gaining hands-on experience that connects classroom learning to future careers.

Those daily experiences recently earned national recognition.

All 18 campuses in Harmony Public Schools–North Texas have been recognized by Project Lead The Way (PLTW), helping the district earn designation as a 2026 PLTW Distinguished District. The honor places Harmony North Texas among just 32 districts nationwide selected from 3,554 districts that implement PLTW programs.

The distinction recognizes school systems that successfully expand access to high-quality STEM education and create meaningful opportunities for students to engage in hands-on, career-connected learning from elementary school through high school.

“Being named a 2026 PLTW Distinguished District is an incredible honor for Harmony Public Schools–North Texas, as it reflects our commitment to expanding student access to high-quality STEM learning experiences,” said Harun Karan, area superintendent for Harmony Public Schools–North Texas. “Through our partnership with Project Lead The Way, students across our campuses are gaining the real-world knowledge, technical skills and confidence needed to thrive beyond the classroom.”

For Harmony students, STEM education is not limited to textbooks or lectures. Through project-based learning, collaborative instruction, and career-focused coursework, students are challenged to think critically, solve complex problems, and apply their learning in meaningful ways.

Project Lead The Way, a national nonprofit organization, partners with schools across the country to provide hands-on curriculum in engineering, computer science, biomedical science, and career readiness. Its Distinguished District designation recognizes districts that demonstrate exceptional commitment to student participation, achievement, and access in STEM education.

The recognition reflects a district-wide commitment to preparing students for a rapidly evolving future. Whether students are exploring engineering concepts in elementary school, developing coding skills in middle school, or pursuing advanced STEM pathways in high school, Harmony's approach is designed to help them build both technical expertise and confidence.

Ten campuses were recognized as 2026 PLTW Distinguished Launch Schools:

• Harmony Science Academy – Dallas Elementary
• Harmony Science Academy – Fort Worth Elementary
• Harmony Science Academy – Fort Worth Middle
• Harmony Science Academy – Garland
• Harmony Science Academy – Grand Prairie
• Harmony Science Academy – Plano
• Harmony Science Academy – Waco
• Harmony School of Innovation – Carrollton
• Harmony School of Innovation – Euless
• Harmony School of Innovation – Grand Prairie

Eight campuses earned recognition as 2026 PLTW Distinguished High Schools:

• Harmony Science Academy – Carrollton
• Harmony Science Academy – Dallas High
• Harmony Science Academy – Euless
• Harmony School of Excellence – Dallas
• Harmony School of Innovation – Dallas
• Harmony School of Innovation – Fort Worth
• Harmony School of Innovation – Garland
• Harmony School of Innovation – Waco

The accomplishment also highlights Harmony Public Schools' broader leadership in STEM education across Texas. Of the six Texas districts recognized as PLTW Distinguished Districts this year, five were Harmony Public Schools districts.

As workforce demands continue to evolve, recognitions like these underscore the importance of providing students with opportunities to explore STEM fields early and often. For Harmony North Texas, the award reflects more than a single year of achievement. It represents a sustained commitment to ensuring every student has access to the experiences, skills, and opportunities needed to succeed in college, careers, and beyond.