Engineering Design & Development

       Syllabus      PLTW.org firstinspires.org DRHS Engineering

PLTW - Project Lead the Way

Engineering Design & Development (12 grade)    PLTW Capstone   

   Following Project Lead the Way's curriculum, the PLTW Capstone course is the senior level project course.  Students use knowledge obtained in previous STEM courses to identify an issue/problem, then research and design a solution. Students present the results of their solution to a panel of engineers and community members.

Students apply the professional skills they have developed to document a design process including sketches, scale drawings, CAD models and drawings.  Students will create a prototype of their solution, demonstrate and explain how it works. By completing this kind of open-ended real-world project students will graduate ready to take on any post-secondary program or career.

The project students complete in this class meet all of the requirements for the STEM Capstone Project that is needed to earn a STEM Endorsed Diploma.  The project also meets the requirements of Colorado School of Mines freshman Cornerstone Project and may improve a student's chance of acceptance into Mines.

The project you do in this class can meet the requirement for the STEM Endorsed Diploma.     STEM Capstone Project

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, 10th 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 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.

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. 

Aerospace Engineering (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. 

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.