Engineering

NHS utilizes the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum to offer an engineering pathway for students. Our PLTW curriculum is research-based and highly vetted. Students can earn concurrent college credit for PLTW classes through UCCS.


Incoming 9th graders can apply for the program. Current NHS students can also apply.

Dual Credit (college and high school credit) is available through UCCS for each pathway course. Ask the instructor for how to enroll.

​A few of the STEM Pathways Program advantages.

STEM Pathway students:

  • are uniquely prepared for a career in a specific discipline;

  • have priority scheduling to ensure they are able to take coursework in their pathway;

  • can earn a STEM letter every year;

  • can earn college credit (PLTW pathways, the credit can start their freshmen year);

  • complete a senior design project, internship and/or job shadow experience which may provide them an advantage in attaining admissions to selective universities and earning scholarships;

  • receive a STEM certificate;

  • recieve a STEM seal on their diploma; and

  • receive regalia at graduation.


Classes Offered: Engineering Pathway

Freshman year (9th Grade)

Introduction to Engineering Design (IED)

The major focus of IED is the design process and its application. Through hands-on projects, students apply engineering standards and document their work. Students use industry standard 3D modeling software to help them design solutions to solve proposed problems, document their work using an engineer’s notebook, and communicate solutions to peers and members of the professional community.

Sophomore Year (10th Grade):

Principles of Engineering (POE)

This survey course exposes students to major concepts they’ll encounter in a post-secondary engineering course of study. Topics include mechanisms, energy, statics, materials, and kinematics. They develop problem-solving skills and apply their knowledge of research and design to create solutions to various challenges, document their work and communicate solutions

Junior year (11th Grade)

Aerospace Engineering

OR

AP Computer Science

Aerospace Engineering (AE)

This course propels students’ learning in the fundamentals of atmospheric and space flight. As they explore the physics of flight, students bring the concepts to life by designing an airfoil, propulsion system, and rockets. They learn basic orbital mechanics using industry-standard software. They also explore robot systems through projects such as remotely operated vehicles.

AP Computer Science (not PLTW)

The course emphasizes object-oriented programming methodology with a concentration on problem solving and algorithm development, and is meant to be the equivalent of a first-semester college-level course in computer science. It also includes the study of data structures, design, and abstraction


Senior Year (12th Grade)

Engineering Design and Development (EDD)

a.k.a. "Capstone"

In this capstone course, students work in teams to design and develop an original solution to a valid open-ended technical problem by applying the engineering design process. Students perform research to choose, validate, and justify a technical problem. After carefully defining the problem, teams design, build, and test their solutions while working closely with industry professionals who provide mentoring opportunities. Finally, student teams present and defend their original solution to an outside panel.