Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is BTSD’s College recognized pre-engineering program designed to introduce students to the career of engineering. This program prepares students for the types of engineering classes they will be taking in college; gives students the opportunity to explore the field of engineering and decide if they would enjoy a career as an engineer. Students planning to major in engineering can benefit by completing the entire program, or just by taking one of the classes. PLTW helps students develop the skills needed to succeed in the global economy.
Project Lead the Way includes:
Foundation Courses
Introduction to Engineering Design
Students dig deep into the engineering design
process, applying math, science, and engineering standards to hands-on
projects. They work both individually and in teams to design solutions
to a variety of problems using 3D modeling software, and use an
engineering notebook to document their work.
Principles of Engineering
Through problems that engage and challenge, students explore a broad
range of engineering topics, including mechanisms, the strength of
structures and materials, and automation. Students develop skills in
problem solving, research, and design while learning strategies for
design process documentation, collaboration, and presentation.
Specialization Courses
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Students learn important aspects of building and site design and
development. They apply math, science, and standard engineering
practices to design both residential and commercial projects and
document their work using 3D architecture design software.
Digital Electronics
From smart phones to appliances, digital circuits
are all around us. This course provides a foundation for students who
are interested in electrical engineering, electronics, or circuit
design. Students study topics such as combinational and sequential logic
and are exposed to circuit design tools used in industry, including
logic gates, integrated circuits, and programmable logic devices.
Capstone Course - Engineering Design and Development (EDD)
The knowledge and skills students acquire throughout PLTW Engineering come together in EDD as they identify an issue and then research, design, and test a solution, ultimately presenting their solution to a panel of engineers. Students apply the professional skills they have developed to document a design process to standards, completing EDD ready to take on any post-secondary program or career.