Engineering
High School Engineering Program
High School Engineering Program
PLTW-WI Sponsor/Partner Spotlight
Teacher Resources
STEM Related Studies
A Framework for K-12 Science Education
Designing Effective Science Instruction - Tweed
Rising above the Gathering Storm – Revisited
Pathways to Prosperity – February 2011
Frequently asked questions
General
Extranet
Virtual Academy
Purchasing/Product Support
Certification
Gateway Academy
Marketing/Promotional Materials
Core Training/Affiliates
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General
Where can I find more information about how to bring PLTW to my school?
- Visit our Getting Started page for a comprehensive overview of our programs.
- For more information, contact our School Support Team.
What kind of programs does PLTW have?
- PLTW has three programs: Biomedical Sciences (high schools), Gateway To Technology (middle schools) and Pathway To Engineering (high schools).
- For general information on PLTW courses, visit Our Programs.
- To request more specific information, including a copy of our curriculum outlines or to review a sample of our curriculum, contact the School Support Team to obtain a Permission to Review PLTW Curriculum Form.
How much does PLTW cost?
- The cost of the PLTW program(s) depends on many factors, including which courses are being taught, how many sections of each course are being implemented, and what you already have in your classroom/lab.
- The Purchasing Manual lists everything that is required for each course, and can be used as a tool to help inventory what you may need to purchase.
- In the Purchasing Manual, please review the Additional Resources that will further help you understand what is required to implement PLTW programs. In particular, we strongly encourage you to review the Instructions for a comprehensive overview.
Where do I find information about college level recognition?
- Based on the structure, relevance, and rigor of the Project Lead The Way (PLTW) course material, Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), as the affiliate university in Wisconsin, offers transcripted undergraduate credit to high school students who successfully complete all requirements listed below. This transcripted credit may be placed in the student’s academic record and used to demonstrate the student’s ability to perform college-level work. The extent to which this credit may be useful as a substitute for a college-level course is at the discretion of the admitting higher education institution and the degree granting program.
- For more details click on Teachers in the menu to the left and then click on Undergraduate Credit.
Where do I find information on PLTW Professional Development Conferences?
- A highlight of the school year for PLTW teachers, administrators, counselors, and business partners is the annual PLTW - Wisconsin Professional Development Conference. This conference sponsored by Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) and selected corporate and not-for-profit sponsors, is the perfect opportunity to engage PLTW colleagues from across the state in a structured yet informal setting. Most recent conferences have featured 3 to 4 general sessions, 25 to 30 breakout sessions, a drop-in networking roundtable, and numerous opportunities to chat with fellow educators.
- For more details click on Teachers in the menu to the left and then click on Professional Development Conferences.
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PLTW Extranet
What is the PLTW Extranet?
- The PLTW Extranet is an online resource where information on PLTW schools is housed, including contact information, teacher registrations and Core Training registration data.
- Teachers and District Delegates may login to the PLTW Extranet to complete various tasks.
- Visit the Login page for a more detailed description of the PLTW Extranet functionalities.
Where do I log in to the Extranet?
- From the PLTW homepage, click on Login in the upper right hand corner.
- The login link for the Extranet is in the middle of this page.
- Choose your role and log in to your respective console.
I forgot my password for the PLTW Extranet, how do I get a new one?
- Login to the appropriate console of the PLTW Extranet.
- Click on the “forgot password?” link.
- The system will create a new password which will be sent via email.
- You may change your password by going to “My Settings” and then “Edit” after successfully logging in for the first time.
I used the “forgot password?” link to request a new password, but never received one.
- Check your junk/spam filter to determine if the email was inadvertently blocked by your email system.
- If the email is not in your junk/spam filter, send an email to the School Support Team and your login credentials will be forwarded to you.
I’m a new teacher and need to log in to the PLTW Extranet. How do I obtain a login?
- All new teachers must contact their School District Delegate in order to be added as a teacher within the PLTW Extranet.
- Once the Delegate adds you as a teacher, you will receive an email with your login information.
- If you don't know who your Delegate is, use the School Locator.
How do I change my password?
- Log in to the appropriate console of the PLTW Extranet.
- Click the “My Settings” link located on the top, right hand side of the screen.
- Click “Edit” located in the blue box to the right of your contact information.
- Scroll down to the “Login Information” box and the link to change your password.
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Virtual Academy
What is the Virtual Academy?
- The Virtual Academy is an online resource where information on PLTW curriculum and professional development is housed, including support materials for trained teachers, core training pre-assessments and forums and other communication tools for interaction with other PLTW teachers and technical support.
Where do I login to the Virtual Academy?
- From the PLTW homepage, click Login in the upper right hand corner.
- You will be directed to a page that allows you to enter the Virtual Academy.
I forgot my password for the Virtual Academy, how do I get a new one?
- Your Virtual Academy login is the same as your Extranet login; however, you can only request a new password through the Extranet.
- Log in to the appropriate console of the PLTW Extranet.
- Click on the “forgot password?” link.
- The system will reset the old password and automatically email you the new password.
- You may change your password by going to “My Settings” and then “Edit” after successfully logging in for the first time.
I’m a new teacher and need to log in to the Virtual Academy. How do I get a login?
- In order to log in to the Virtual Academy, you must have an Extranet login.
- New teachers must contact their School District Delegate in order to be added as a teacher within the Extranet.
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Purchasing/Product Support
I need to order equipment, supplies and software. Where do I begin?
- Information regarding purchasing equipment, supplies and software is available from in the Purchasing Manual.
- Please read instructions thoroughly!
Do you charge for shipping? If so, how much is it?
- PLTW has endeavored to negotiate pricing with our Suppliers to include freight charges - see the Purchasing Manual for exceptions. Please contact Product Support for a shipping estimate on those items purchased through PLTW.
Who is my Autodesk reseller?
- In Wisconsin the reseller is Master Graphics Inc. and the education contact person is Scott Mullenberg scott.mullenberg@masterg.com .
I received my order, and a few parts are missing. Whom do I contact?
- Email Product Support with the following information:
- School/District name
- Missing parts with part numbers
- Quantity missing
- Purchase Order/Sales Order number
- Shipping address
- Contact information for a return call/email
- School/District name
I received my order, but one or more of the items are not working properly. Whom do I contact?
- Email Product Support with the following information:
- School/District name
- Purchase Order/Sales Order number
- Name/Item # for product
- Explanation of the problem
- Contact information for a return call/email
- School/District name
Does PLTW accept credit cards?
- Yes, but not via an online order system. Please submit your purchase order and once it has been fulfilled, the school will receive an invoice.
- Contact our accounting department (1-877-335-PLTW) and provide credit card information to pay the invoice.
How do I correct an error on the purchase order I submitted?
- Email Product Support or call us (1-877-335-PLTW) with the following information:
- School/District Name
- Purchase Order number
- Explanation of the error
- Description of correction
- Contact information for a return call/email
- School/District Name
How do I check on the status of my purchase order or balance in my account?
- Email Product Support or call us (1-877-335-PLTW) with the following information:
- School/District Name
- Purchase Order number or account number
- Contact information for a return call/email
- School/District Name
Where can I find computer specifications?
- Go to the Purchasing Manual and scroll down to Additional Resources.
- Click on the link for computer specifications.
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Certification
How does my school start the process for certification?
- Visit Certification.
- Download, complete and submit a Self Assessment.
- A member of the PLTW Certification Team will contact you to set up a visit.
Why does my school need to be certified?
- The primary purpose of the certification program is to ensure the implementation of a high-quality PLTW program.
- Certification also gives students the opportunity to apply for college level recognition for select PLTW courses.
What happens during a certification visit?
- Please read the Certification webpage and supporting documents thoroughly, but in summary:
- The PLTW certification team visits PLTW classroom(s) to observe the students work, interview students and check the equipment.
- The PLTW certification team visits with school counselors and PLTW teachers.
- The PLTW certification team visits with the Partnership Team and Parents.
- The PLTW certification team visits PLTW classroom(s) to observe the students work, interview students and check the equipment.
How much does certification cost?
- You can access the PLTW Wisconsin fee schedule by navigating your mouse across the drop down menus above. Hover over Wisconsin PLTW and navigate to Fee Schedule.
When will we receive certification notification and our Official PLTW School banner?
- Once the PLTW certification team has submitted the Site Visit Guide and the Site Visit Report, certified schools should receive notification and a banner.
- Only schools who are granted full certification receive a banner.
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What is Gateway Academy?
- The Gateway Academy Summer Youth Program is a hands-on, project-based program designed to introduce middle school students to the fun in the fundamentals of STEM. Trained PLTW instructors provide expert instruction in small group settings. Students work together in a fun, exciting environment using leading-edge technologies to sample such disciplines as robotics, aeronautics, rockets, eco-design, manufacturing and alternative energy.
- The Gateway Academy is designed for students entering grades seven, eight or nine in the upcoming school year.
Who can host a Gateway Academy?
- A Gateway Academy can be hosted by any PLTW school. The Gateway Academy utilizes the same software and equipment as the PLTW program and requires two trained PLTW teachers to instruct.
How do I register for a Gateway Academy?
- Schools can register by filling out a registration form and returning it to PLTW during the open registration period.
How much does it cost to run a Gateway Academy?
- The total cost for a school to run a Gateway Academy is about $4,000. This total is based on two instructors hired for the week at your district’s rate-of-pay and $500 to $700 for consumable materials, depending on the projects you choose from the curriculum.
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Marketing/Promotional Materials
Where can I find marketing and/or promotional materials to promote PLTW?
- Visit Marketing Materials.
- PLTW also provides electronic flip books and instructions for embedding them on your school website.
How long will it take for marketing materials to arrive?
- Six to eight weeks.Â
Where can I get the PLTW logo?
- Email Marketing and indicate if the logo will be used for printed or online materials.
- If you are a Delegate or Teacher, log in to the PLTW Extranet and go to “Resources."
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How do I register for summer training?
- First, you must be registered as a PLTW teacher.
- Next, you need to take the pre-assessment for the course you plan to teach.
- Log in to the Virtual Academy and select Biomedical Sciences or Engineering under the “Core Training Pre-Assessments” heading, followed by the course you intend to teach. The system will ask if you wish to enroll. Select "yes."
- Once you have completed the pre-assessment with a minimum score of 75%, you will be redirected to the PLTW Extranet to register for a specific Core Training session.
- If you are not redirected, log in to the Teacher Console of the PLTW Extranet.
- From here you will see a banner at the top of our home page entitled: 2012 Core Training registration is now open. Select the "sign-up today" link. This will bring you to the registration page.Â
- Read the agreement and select the training session you wish to attend.
How do I register for a Core Training session outside of my own state?
- In order for teachers to train outside of their state, they must receive approval from their state's University Affiliate Director. (Find the University Affiliate for your state.)
- If approved, the out-of-state Affiliate Director will provide the teacher with a reservation code for a seat in their Core Training session to be used on the core training registration link within the PLTW Extranet.
How do I find out what Core Training sessions my local University Affiliate is offering?
- Click on the Teacher Bar in the menu to the left. Then click on Core Training.
What happens if a University Affiliate cancels the course that I am registered for?
- Your registration will be canceled and you can register elsewhere.
- If your in-state University Affiliate cancels the course, you can register at any University Affiliate in the country, pending your school’s approval to travel out of state.
- No, you do not need to retake the pre-assessment.
What if there are no seats available at my local University Affiliate for the course training I need to take?
- Your registration for that site will be opened up so you can view course offerings in other states.
- No, you do not need to retake the pre-assessment.
Why do I have to take a pre-assessment?
- Course pre-assessments are designed to prepare teachers for successful participation in PLTW Core Training sessions.
- Teachers must complete a pre-assessment for each course training they wish to attend. Teachers must score 75% or higher to attend Core Training.
- Each pre-assessment contains questions directly related to course subject matter, as well as general computer and mathematics skills.
How can I access the results of the pre-assessment after I have logged out?
- Log in to the Virtual Academy and select Biomedical Sciences or Engineering under the “Core Training Pre-Assessments” heading, followed by the course you took your pre-assessment in.
- If you selected “save without submitting," you must resume the pre-assessment before you will be able to see your score.
- If you selected “submit all," the system will allow you to view your score.
- Please email Professional Development with any questions.
How do I change information on my Core Training registration?
- Please email Professional Development.
Do you have any resources available if I need a curriculum refresher for the course I’m instructing?
- The Virtual Academy has excellent resources available for you to reference if you need additional support.
- Once you’ve logged in, scroll down to the General Resources section. Here you will find various guides, tutorials and other supplemental resources to help you brush up on your skills.