Igniting imagination and innovation through learning.

High School Program: Pathway To Engineering™

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is the leading provider of rigorous and innovative STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education curricular programs used in schools. PLTW exists to prepare students for the global economy through its world-class curriculum and an engaged network of educators, students.The hands-on, project-based program engages students on multiple levels, exposes them to areas of study that they typically do not pursue, and provides them with a foundation and proven path to college and career success. More than 4,700 schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia are currently offering PLTW courses to their students.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) offers a dynamic high school program that provides students with real-world learning and hands-on experience. Students interested in engineering, biomechanics, aeronautics, and other applied math and science arenas will discover PLTW is an exciting portal into these industries. PLTW's Pathway To Engineering (PTE) curriculum is designed as a four-year high school sequence. Foundation courses (Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering, and Digital Electronics) are supplemented by a number of electives to create eight rigorous, relevant, reality-based courses.

The Applied Knowledge of Pathway To Engineering™

PLTW’s premier high school program, Pathway To Engineering™, is a four-year course of study integrated into the students’ core curriculum. The combination of traditional math and science courses with innovative Pathway To Engineering courses prepares students for college majors in engineering & engineering technology fields, and offers them the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school.

Pathway To Engineering™ courses engage high school students through a combination of activities-based, project-based, and problem-based (APPB) learning. APPB learning not only creates an environment for applying engineering concepts to real problems, but also prepares students to:

• Solve problems
• Participate as part of a team
• Lead teams
• Speak to a public audience
• Conduct research
• Understand real-world impacts
• Analyze data
• Learn outside the classroom

PLTW Courses Offered at Barrington High School:

• Introduction to Engineering Design—Students dig deep into the engineering design process, applying math, science, and engineering standards to hands-on projects. They work both individually and in teams to design solutions to a variety of problems using 3-D modeling software, and use an engineering notebook to document their work.
• Principles of Engineering Design—Through problems that engage and challenge, students explore a broad range of engineering topics, including mechanisms, the strength of structures and materials, and automation. Students develop skills in problem solving, research, and design while learning strategies for design process documentation, collaboration, and presentation.
• Digital Electronics—From smartphones to appliances, digital circuits are all around us. This course provides a foundation for students who are interested in electrical engineering, electronics, or circuit design. Students study topics such as combinational and sequential logic and are exposed to circuit design tools used in industry, including logic gates, integrated circuits, and programmable logic devices.
• Civil Engineering & Architecture—Students learn important aspects of building and site design and development. They apply math, science, and standard engineering practices to design both residential and commercial projects and document their work using 3-D architectural design software.
• Engineering Design and Development—The knowledge and skills students acquire throughout PLTW Engineering come together in Engineering Design and Development as they identify an issue and then research, design, and test a solution, ultimately presenting their solution to a panel of engineers. Students apply the professional skills they have developed to document a design process to standards, completing Engineering Design and Development ready to take on any post-secondary program or career.

For more info:

Project Lead the Way: http://www.pltw.org/

PLTW's Pathway to Engineering: PLTW High School Engineering

PLTW's Intro to Engineering Design video IED Video