Project Lead the Way

In Partnership with the Minnesota Center for Engineering & Manufacturing Excellence

pltw_clip_image002.jpgPLTW has developed a four-year sequence of courses which, when combined with college preparatory mathematics and science courses in high school, introduces students to the scope, rigor, and discipline of engineering and engineering technology prior to entering college.

The courses are:

  • Introduction to Engineering Design
  • Digital Electronics
  • Principles of Engineering
  • Computer Integrated Manufacturing
  • Civil Engineering and Architecture
  • Biotechnical Engineering
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Engineering Design and Development

Introduction at this level will attract more students to engineering, and will allow students, while still in high school, to determine if engineering is the career they desire. Students participating in PLTW courses are better prepared for college engineering programs and more likely to be successful, thus reducing the attrition rate in these college programs, which currently exceeds 50% nationally.

pltw_clip_image003.jpgA critical component of the Project Lead The Way program is its comprehensive teacher training model. The curriculum these teachers are required to teach utilizes cutting edge technology and software requiring specialized training. Ongoing training supports the teachers as they implement the program and provides for continuous improvement of skills.
Understanding that another key to success is awareness, PLTW makes a concerted effort to inform school counselors through counselor conferences, brochures and videotapes about the benefits of the program, as well as the wide array of technology jobs and careers available to students who enter the field upon graduation from high school and college.

In addition, PLTW has developed an exciting Middle School Technology Curriculum: Gateway To Technology. This project-based, cutting edge curriculum is 40 weeks in length and is divided into four 10-week units from the following: Design and Modeling; The Magic of Electrons; The Science of Technology; Automation and Robotics; three new units in development: Environmental Engineering, Energy and the Environment, and Aerospace Engineering. Designed for all students, the units address national standards in math, science and technology. One of the goals is to increase interest and awareness of female and minority students in technology and related careers. Gateway To Technology will also encourage increasing numbers of students to elect the high school program.

Explore the following:

  • Are these really still gonna link to XLS's? seems kinda weird... I'm not gonna go throught he mess to upload and link them all quite yet.
  • MN Science and Math Academic Standards: Crosswalk to Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Course Outcomes (Summary and Standards)
  • Minnesota Science and Math Academic Standards Crosswalk to Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Course Outcomes (Standards and Analysis)
  • Project Lead the Way Biomedical Program for Minnesota Schools
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Biotechnical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering and Architecture
  • Computer Integrated Manufacturing
  • Digital Electronics
  • Engineering Design and Development
  • Introduction to Engineering Design
  • Gateway to Technology
  • Principles of Engineering