Aerospace Engineering
Syllabus PLTW.org firstinspires.org Engineering Courses
Following Project Lead the Way’s suggested curriculum, PLTW Aerospace Engineering courses are designed to teach students the fundamentals of atmospheric and space flight. These courses emphasize physics and robot system concepts by focusing on the design of an airfoil, propulsion systems, rockets, and remotely operated vehicles. Course content may include the study of orbital mechanics using industry standard software and piloting drones in simulated real world applications. This course meets the graduation requirement for a Fine Arts/CTE credit.
Course Description:
Aerospace Engineering ignites students’ learning in the fundamentals of atmospheric and space flight. Aerospace Engineering is one of the specialization courses in the PLTW Engineering program. The course deepens the skills and knowledge of an engineering student within the context of atmospheric and space flight. Students explore the fundamentals of flight in air and space as they bring the concepts to life by designing and testing components related to flight such as an airfoil, propulsion system, and a rocket. They learn orbital mechanics concepts and apply these by creating models using industry-standard software. They also apply aerospace concepts to alternative applications such as a wind turbine and parachute. Students simulate a progression of operations to explore a planet, including creating a map of the terrain with a model satellite and using the map to execute a mission using an autonomous robot. The following is a summary of the units of study that are included in the course. The course is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards; Common Core State Standards for Mathematical Practice (HS); Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts; and Standards for Technological Literacy. The course is planned for a rigorous pace, and it is likely to contain more material than a skilled teacher new to the course will be able to complete in the first iteration. Building enthusiasm while learning real world skills related to the Aerospace industry is a primary goal of the course. Teachers are encouraged to emphasize content that will be fresh and exciting to students, and the course is structured to facilitate local adaptation to a particular group of students’ prior knowledge and experience.
STEM - Proficiencies Standards
Unit 1
Introduction to Aerospace
Unit 2
Aerospace Design
Unit 3
Propulsion
Unit 4
Alternative Applications
Daily Routine
Warm-up Question - Google Classroom
Answered in several sentences.
Think like an Engineer
Team Meeting - Journal
Project Status - Goals - Schedule
Plan like an Engineer
Engineering Project - group work
Design, Build, Test, Repeat
Design like an Engineer
Aerospace Engineering is one of the Project Lead The Way engineering classes. The first course in the PLTW Engineering program is Introduction to Engineering which is designed to give student a solid understand of the fields of engineering and basic skills and knowledge to help them decide if they want to pursue a career in engineering. Principles of Engineering gives students experience solving problems related to several engineering fields. In the third year, student choose one area (manufacturing, electronic, aerospace) to focus on in depth and continue to practice the problem solving skills they have learned. In their senior year, students will complete a year long STEM Capstone project in the Engineering Design & Development class.
Project Lead The Way (PLTW)- Engineering
Each PLTW Engineering course engages students in interdisciplinary activities like working with a client to design a home, programming electronic devices or robotic arms. These activities not only build knowledge and skills in engineering, but also empower students to develop essential skills such as problem solving, critical and creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and perseverance.
Introduction to Engineering Design (9th grade)
Students dig deep into the engineering design process, applying math, science, and engineering standards to hands-on projects like designing a new toy or improving an existing product.
Principles of Engineering (10th, 11th or 12th grade)
Students explore a broad range of engineering topics including mechanisms, strength of structure and materials, and automation, and then they apply what they know to take on challenges like designing a self-powered car.
Aerospace Engineering (10th, 11th or 12th grade)
Students explore and experience the wonders of flight, aerodynamics, and space exploration. Student will learn about the field of aerospace and then they apply what they have learned to design and test model planes, rockets, and drones.
Computer Integrated Manufacturing (10th, 11th or 12th grade)
Students discover and explore manufacturing processes, product design, robotics, and automation, and then they apply what they have learned to design solutions for real-world manufacturing problems.
Digital Electronics (11th or 12th grade)
Students explore the foundations of computing by engaging in circuit design processes to create combinational logic and sequential logic (memory) as electrical engineers do in industry.
Engineering Design and Development (12th grade - Capstone Project)
Students identify a real-world challenge and then research, design, and test a solution, ultimately presenting their unique solutions to a panel of engineers.