Project REAL Page

The mission of the W.J. Keenan High School Raider Engineering and Academic Leadership Program (Project REAL) is to actively engage students in math and science courses that are enriched with engineering applications to increase students' academic performance in the study of math,science, engineering, and technology related fields at the post-secondary level.

The vision of the W.J. Keenan High School Raider Engineering and Academic Leadership Program (Project REAL) is to create a K-16 pipeline of scientific and technically literate leaders for the twenty-first century.

Project Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge. The Science, Technology Engineering and Math teachers at Keenan endeavor to increase student knowledge and retention by challenging student with rigorous PBL lessons.

The McNAIR Center was established in 2011 to grow South Carolina's knowledge-based economy and support industry through aerospace education, research leadership and industry advancement. Several Keenan students participated in hands-on activities at the center. Teams of students learned about the design of the fuel tanks and tested designs to withstand the forces endured during launches of space vechicle

Students are given challenges in the classroom that are the same problems that we will face in our futures. It is the projects, design challenges, and competitions that will prepare students for real-world global challenges.

Creating Graduates with World Class Skills

The Engineering Program, Project REAL, is producing graduates that have the skills to be successful from the classroom to the boardroom. As stated in the Profile of a SC graduate, students must be able to collaborate, communicate, and be innovative and creative. Our students are given the opportunities to go from concept to design using state of the art software and equipment.

What can 3D printing be used to do? The robotics team had to reattach the signal light after each match in the South Florida regional. We were given a 3D printed holder to attach it and learned that we could design any part we needed using skills we learn in our PLTW classrooms.

Robotics at Keenan

Since 2004, The Robo Raiders have been building robots and spreading the message of FIRST. The team has made countless presentations demonstrating literacy as a way to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

The team attended the Palmetto regional in Myrtle Beach, S.C. and the Bayou Regional in New Orleans, LA during the 2016 season with the robot known as "Richard of Bordeaux"

We can not do what we do without a community of support. Students participate in activities with professionals to keep them abreast to the skills need in the 21st century work place.