Engineering - Project Lead the Way

The Project Lead the Way (PLTW) program is a sequence of courses, which follows a proven hands-on, real-world problem-solving approach to learning.

Throughout the PLTW program, students learn and apply the design process, acquire strong teamwork and communication proficiency and develop organizational, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. They discover the answers to questions like how are things made and what processes go into creating products? Students use the same industry-leading 3D design software used by companies like Intel, Lockheed Martin and Pixar. The students will apply math and science into real world fundamental engineering problems.

Curriculum

Foundation Courses

• Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) - The major focus of IED is the design process and its application. Through hands-on projects, students apply engineering standards and document their work. Students use industry standard 3D modeling software to help them design solutions to solve proposed problems, document their work using an engineer's notebook and communicate solutions to peers and members of the professional community.
• Principles of Engineering (POE) - This survey course exposes students to major concepts they'll encounter in a post-secondary engineering course of study. Topics include mechanisms, energy, statics, materials and kinematics. They develop problem-solving skills and apply their knowledge of research and design to create solutions to various challenges, document their work and communicate solutions.

Specialization Courses

• Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) - How are things made? What processes go into creating products? Is the process for making a water bottle the same as it is for a musical instrument? How do assembly lines work? How has automation changed the face of manufacturing? While students discover the answers to these questions, they're learning about the history of manufacturing, robotics and automation, manufacturing processes, computer modeling, manufacturing equipment and flexible manufacturing systems.
• Civil Engineering and Architecture (CEA) - Students learn about various aspects of civil engineering and architecture and apply their knowledge to the design and development of residential and commercial properties and structures. In addition, students use 3D design software to design and document solutions for major course projects. Students communicate and present solutions to their peers and members of a professional community of engineers and architects.
• Engineering Design and Development (EDD) (Engineering block program only) - In this capstone course, students work in teams to design and develop an original solution to a valid open-ended technical problem by applying the engineering design process. Students perform research to choose, validate, and justify a technical problem. After carefully defining the problem, teams design, build, and test their solutions while working closely with industry professionals who provide mentoring opportunities. Finally, student teams present and defend their original solution to an outside panel.