High School Engineering Program
High School Curriculum:Â Pathway to Engineering
Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Pathway to Engineering curriculum is designed as a four-year high school sequence that will fit into any student schedule and is taught in conjunction with traditional math and science courses. The program is divided into eight rigorous, relevant, reality-based course designed for students to enjoy.
High School Students
During high school years, students begin thinking about what they want to be when they grow up. These are crucial years for them and their decisions affect their personal lives and our country’s future as well. Students want to believe they will have interesting, fulfilling and well-paying jobs. Increasingly, those kinds of careers will be in technology whether basic science related, engineering, mathematics or biomedical fields. Pathway to Engineering as offered through PLTW provides academically rigorous and experientially fun courses to introduce teens to these careers and prepare them to succeed at the post-secondary level.
Why PLTW
Consider these findings from a Program for International Student Assessment report. Did you know that America’s 15 year olds placed 27th out of 39 countries in mathematics ability? Nationally, only 18 out of 100 ninth graders will graduate from college? Only one third of America’s work force has any post secondary education?
American students are no less intelligent than students from any place else in the world. The situation has been created by a lack of emphasis and exposure in schools to the challenges of these interesting fields and fulfillment to be derived from helping others through science and technology.
Teachers and Counselors
Project Lead The Way offers teachers and guidance counselors the requirements for initial Core Training on specific course curriculum, curriculum updates and continual professional development. Core Training provides teachers with the knowledge to utilize and teach the PLTW technology, software and associated curriculum. Classes are taught by master teachers and affiliate professors who bring hands-on teaching experience to the classroom. In Wisconsin that is Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). Teacher training is provided through one of the 36 affiliated colleges and universities. Some grants and internships are provided by business partners and teachers may pursue Graduate credit after completing PLTW training.
Other professional development opportunities are provided for school counselors and administrators as they implement and expand the PLTW program in their schools. Teachers play a vital role in PLTW’s success as role models and through their enthusiasm. Since 1997, PLTW has trained about 13,000 teachers.
Foundation Courses
Introduction to Engineering and Design (IED) allows students to use sophisticated three-dimensional modeling software to improve existing products, invent new ones, and communicate the details of the products to others.
Principles of Engineering (POE) uses student activities, projects and problems to explore the wide variety of careers in engineering and technology and examine various technology systems and manufacturing processes.
Digital Electronics (DE) uses computer simulations to teach students about the logic of electronics as they design, test and construct circuits and devices.
Specialization Courses
Aerospace Engineering (AE) uses hands-on engineering projects and problems to teach students about aerodynamics, astronautics, space-life sciences and systems engineering.
Biotechnical Engineering (BE) employs relevant projects from biotechnology, bioengineering, biomedical engineering and biomolecular engineering to teach students to apply and develop secondary-level knowledge and skills in biology, physics, technology and mathematics.
Civil Engineering and Architecture (CEA) provides an overview of the fields of civil engineering and architecture, via relevant activities, projects and problems emphasizing the interrelationship of the two fields.
Computer Integrated manufacturing (CIM) gives students the opportunity to employ automation, control systems, sensing devices, computer programming and robotics to efficiently mass-produce a product using a three-dimensional model.
Capstone Course
Engineering Design and Development (EDD) gives students the opportunity to work in teams to solve problems of their own choosing. Under the guidance of a community mentor, teams employ all the skills and knowledge gained through previous coursework to brainstorm, research, construct and test  a model in real-life situations (or simulations); document their designs; and present and defend the designs to a panel of experts.
Additional Benefits from Pathway to Engineering Courses
MSOE offers Undergraduate Credit to qualifying students in the state of Wisconsin for the following PLTW Engineering courses.
These courses are:
- Introduction to Engineering Design
- Principles of Engineering
- Digital Electronics
- Computer Integrated Manufacturing
- Biotechnical Engineering
- Aerospace engineering
- Civil Engineering and Architecture