Overview

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Overview of the PLTW Program

Project Lead The Way is one of the most ambitious and fastest growing public school initiatives in the United States. PLTW, Inc. is a not for profit organization that partners higher education institutions like WPI with secondary education schools and the private sector to deliver and implement an intensive pre-engineering curriculum to high school and middle school students. Combined with college preparatory mathematics and science high school courses, the four year high school curriculum provides students with a solid foundation for further study of engineering at a two or four year institution. The program also provides the opportunity for high school students to earn college credit for their PLTW coursework. Learn more about earning college credit from WPI in Information for Students & Parents.

Curriculum

The PLTW curriculum employs teamwork and problem solving, through which students develop a broad-based understanding of modern technology and of the scientific and engineering design processes.

The high school curriculum is comprised of a sequence of fundamental and specialization year-long courses, including:

Foundation Courses

Introduction to Engineering Design (IED)
Principles of Engineering (POE)
Digital Electronics (DE)

Specialization Courses

Aerospace Engineering (AE)
Biotechnical Engineering (BE)
Civil Engineering & Architecture (CEA)
Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)

Capstone Course

Engineering Design & Development (EDD)

PLTW Schools offer at least 4 of these courses so that a graduating senior in the program has had the opportunity to take a full sequence. Completing these courses signifies that a student has acquired the knowledge and skills to understand, analyze, and design technological systems.

At the middle school level, 9-week units cover fundamental engineering principles and make connections between engineering and science. A school offers at least four of the following units:

Design and Modeling
The Magic of Electrons
The Science of Technology
Automation and Robotics
Flight and Space

Role of WPI in PTLW

In 2004, WPI became the Massachusetts affiliate institution for Project Lead The Way. Unique to the PLTW program and key to its success is its partnering aspect between secondary schools and higher education institutions. As the Massachusetts affiliate for PLTW, our role includes:

Helping districts and schools learn more about PLTW
Working with schools to evaluate current lab facilities and plan for implementation
Hosting two-week, intensive Summer Training Institutes for teachers
Holding annual guidance counselor conferences
Conducting school certification visits
Offering undergraduate credit to students in PLTW certified schools

Massachusetts Schools

As a Massachusetts school, finding a curriculum that aligns well to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks can be challenging. We are in the process of determining that alignment for the PLTW program. Visit Media & Brochures for downloads of available documentation.

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Last modified: Feb 08, 2007, 13:49 EST