Project Lead The Way MA

WPI is the MA Affiliate University for Project Lead The Way (PLTW), a nationally acclaimed pre-engineering program that promotes math, science and technology skills for middle and high school students using engineering problem-solving as a framework.  The curriculum has been implemented in over 4,200 schools since 1997 when WPI alumnus Richard Liebich co-founded it.  WPI is one of 38 Affiliate Universities for the PLTW Engineering Program.  WPI is responsible for running a two-week Summer Training Institute annually to train teachers before they teach any of the PLTW courses.  We also certify PLTW high schools, host guidance counselor conferences, market PLTW to MA schools, and support the 26 MA PLTW schools.  PLTW high school courses are similar to Advanced Placement courses in that WPI students who excelled in the courses and on the final exam at a PLTW-certified high school are eligible for WPI college credit.  PLTW questions should be directed to Terry Adams, PLTW Program Manager in the WPI STEM Education Center.

Why PLTW?

• PLTW is an intensive, challenging pre-engineering curriculum that provides high school and middle school students with skills necessary to pursue careers in engineering and engineering technology
• Project-based, hands-on curriculum courses
• Comprehensive professional development for teachers and guidance counselors
• Students have the opportunity to earn undergraduate credit for their PLTW courses
• PLTW teaches students how to solve open-ended problems
• PLTW provides a pipeline between schools, higher education institutions, and the private sector