What is Project Lead The Way?

Project Lead The Way® (PLTW) is a not-for-profit organization that promotes pre-engineering courses for middle and high school students. PLTW forms partnerships with public schools, higher education institutions and the private sector to increase the quantity and quality of engineers and engineering technologists graduating from our educational system.

How did the program begin?

The PLTW curriculum was first introduced to 12 New York State high schools in the 1997 - 98 school year. A year later, PLTW field tested its four unit Middle School Program in three middle schools. Today, the programs are offered in 600 schools in 35 states.

Why is Project Lead The Way promoting engineering and engineering technology courses for high school students?

There is a critical shortage of engineers and engineering technologists entering the field at a time when technology is reinventing itself every few years.

What is PLTW’s mission?

Project Lead The Way seeks to create dynamic partnerships with our nation’s schools to prepare an increasing and more diverse group of students to be successful in engineering and engineering technology programs.

What are the High School courses in the PLTW program?

Presently, there are 6 courses in the PLTW High School Pre-engineering Program (See Our Curriculum for descriptions):

• Foundation Courses: Principles of Engineering
• Introduction to Engineering Design
• Digital Electronics
• Specialization Courses: Computer Integrated Manufacturing
• Civil Engineering and Architecture
• Biotechnical Engineering (in development)
• Aerospace Technology (in development)
• Capstone Course: Engineering Design and Development

What is the PLTW Middle School program?

Gateway To Technology consists of ten-week, stand-alone units which can be implemented in grades 6 – 8, as determined by each school. The curriculum exposes students to a broad overview of the field of technology. (See Our Curriculum for descriptions) The units are as follows:

• Design and Modeling
• The Magic of Electrons
• The Science of Technology
• Automation and Robotics
• Environmental Engineering (in development)
• Energy and the Environment (in development)
• Aerospace Technology (in development)

Can a high school student fit the PLTW courses into his/her schedule?

Yes. The specific number of periods in the day in a particular school and the arrangement of those periods will influence the way these courses can be scheduled. For example, in a typical school with an 8 period instructional day + lunch, the following plan would work:

Why does PLTW have a math requirement for students enrolled in its program?

By taking the highest level of college preparatory mathematics they are capable of successfully handling in all four years of high school, students will develop a solid background in math skills and concepts, will be prepared to take each level of the PLTW program, be prepared to succeed in the entry level mathematics course in college, avoid regression between high school and college by taking math each year of high school, and will have a solid background for engineering/technology.

The first year math course taught at a two-year college for a student enrolled in an AAS degree program in engineering technology is equal to high school pre-calculus. At a four-year engineering college, the typical first year math course is calculus. Therefore, if a student is not academically ready to take these courses, he/she will have difficulty at the two-year or the four-year college level.

PLTW provides the following samples of college preparatory mathematics sequences for students enrolled in the PLTW program. Schools may have other appropriate examples.

In a few states, an integrated math curriculum is utilized. Instead of Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 with Trigonometry, students in these states would take Integrated Math Course 1, Integrated Math Course 2, Integrated Math Course 3.

What are the benefits of PLTW to students?

Students in the PLTW program will...

• Receive training in current technology using the latest computer software and equipment in use in industry.
• Participate in a hands-on, activity oriented program that utilizes team efforts.
• Have the opportunity to enroll in a sequence of courses covering essential topics in technology (See Our Curriculum).
• Take courses that will apply and reinforce their study of math and science.
• Enjoy a challenging program that incorporates and addresses the goal of raising standards of learning.
• Participate in a program that will allow them to explore a major career path and, if they wish to continue, will prepare them for further education at a two or four year college in the field of engineering or engineering technology.
• Participate in a program that has developed articulation agreements with a number of colleges who will accept specified courses for credit or advanced placement.
• Be prepared to pursue a career in technology in a field where a national employment shortage exists and pay scales are among the highest levels for entry level professionals or technicians.
• (Optional) Have an opportunity to have an internship with a local industry during the summer as a way of helping them determine if this career path is of interest to them

What are the benefits of PLTW to schools?

• Partnerships with other school districts, colleges and universities and industry to offer pre-engineering programs for their students.
• A fully developed curriculum for the high school and middle school.
• A program that supports efforts to raise learning standards.
• A program that applies and reinforces concepts in math and science.
• A teacher training program that provides ongoing support and networks with colleges to prepare new teachers to enter the profession.
• A plan for selecting appropriate equipment, software and materials that incorporates a highly efficient bidding system.
• A comprehensive awareness program for school counselors and their students that includes an annual conference, information packets, descriptive brochures and videos.
• Articulation agreements with colleges that enable students to receive college credit and a competitive edge in applying to colleges.
• An organizational structure that offers a continuing program support mechanism at the local, regional, state and national levels.
• A commitment to continuous improvement.

Is PLTW considered a vocational program?

PLTW courses are considered part of the general education courses in the regular high school program. PLTW courses reflect national standards in math, science, and technology. Students are learning a career field and are preparing for a 2 or 4 - year college level program by enrolling in the PLTW program.

Which students would benefit from enrolling in a pre-engineering course?

Any student who is enrolled in a college preparatory math course is eligible for the PLTW pre-engineering program. Students who also have an interest in science and math should be encouraged to consider the program as a means of career exploration. Those who find the engineering program of interest can complete all 5 courses in the sequence to become fully prepared for a 2 or 4 year college program in engineering or engineering technology. Others will find out in high school that engineering is not for them and will have time to prepare for another career path.

Are PLTW courses challenging?

Students who have done well in their math and science courses and who like to use computers will find these courses intellectually stimulating and manageable. Each course has something special to offer all students because it is, depending on the course, a hands-on daily experience in problem-solving skills, in electronics, robotics, and manufacturing processes. Because PLTW believes engineering and engineering technology are exciting careers, instructors have been trained in a teaching approach which involves students in the same team problem-solving activities used in college and industry. In addition, the problem-solving/analytical skills and processes are applicable to any career field. If, however, a student decides engineering is not for him or her, that learning will have occurred in high school and not later in college.

Why is it necessary for schools in the PLTW Network to sign an agreement?

See Schools: Agreement.