Project Lead the Way (PLTW)

Students need three courses to complete this pathway

*Denotes courses required for concentrator status

Principles of Biomedical Science (PBS)* 

Prerequisite: Biology 

Credit: 1 credit 

Level: Honors 

In the introductory course of the PLTW Biomedical Science program, students explore concepts of biology and medicine in a variety of aspects. Students investigate forensic science to find the cause of a mysterious death, learn the basics of examining and diagnosing patients through clinical care, and dive into the field of epidemiology as they investigate a biological outbreak at a medical facility.  (CTE course) 

Human Body Systems (HBS)* 

Prerequisite: Principles of Biomedical Science 

Credit: 1 credit 

Level: Honors 

Students examine the interactions of human body systems as they explore identity, power, movement, protection, and homeostasis in the body. Exploring science in action, students build organs and tissues on a skeletal Manikin; use data acquisition software to monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflex and voluntary action, and respiration; and take on the roles of biomedical professionals to solve real-world medical cases. (CTE course) 

Medical Interventions (MI) 

Prerequisite: Human Body Systems 

Credit: 1 credit 

Level: Honors 

Students follow the life of a fictitious family as they investigate how to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Students explore how to detect and fight infection; screen and evaluate the code in human DNA; evaluate cancer treatment options, and prevail when the organs of the body begin to fail. Through real world cases, students are exposed to a range of interventions related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices, and diagnostics. (CTE course) 

Biomedical Innovation (BI) 

Prerequisite: Medical Interventions 

Credit: 1 Credit 

Level: Honors

In the final course of the PLTW Biomedical Science sequence, students build on the knowledge and skills gained from previous courses to design innovative solutions for the most pressing health challenges of the 21st century. Students address topics ranging from public health and biomedical engineering to clinical medicine and physiology. They have the opportunity to work on an independent project with a mentor or advisor from a university, medical facility, or research institution. (CTE course) 

Students need four courses to complete this pathway

*Denotes courses required for concentrator status

Introduction to Engineering Design (IED)* 

Prerequisite: Algebra 1 

Credit: 1 credit 

Level: Honors 

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 3D modeling software, and use an engineering notebook to document their work. (CTE course) 

Principles of Engineering (POE)*

Prerequisite: Intro to Engineering Design and Geometry. Students should be enrolled in Algebra II or beyond. 

Credit: 1 credit 

Level: Honors 

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. This course fulfills the computer science graduation requirement. Students who satisfactorily complete this course with overall grade of 80 and a 70 on the PLTW exam are eligible for Technical Advanced Placement credit (TAP) at HGTC, EET 113 Electrical Circuits 1 (CTE course). 

Civil Engineering and Architecture (CEA) 

Prerequisite: Principles of Engineering 

Credit: 1 credit 

Level: Honors 

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. (CTE course) 

Additional course: TBD 

Cybersecurity 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of a computer science 

Credit: 1 credit 

Level: Honors 

Cybersecurity introduces the tools and concepts of cybersecurity and encourages students to create solutions that allow people to share computing resources while protecting privacy. Students learn to identify cybersecurity threats and protect against them. Students will learn to detect intrusions, and respond to attacks. This course raises students’ knowledge of and commitment to ethical computing behavior. It also aims to develop students’ skills as consumers, friends, citizens, and employees who can effectively contribute to communities with a dependable cyberinfrastructure that moves and processes information safely. Whether seeking a career in the emerging field of cybersecurity or learning to defend personal/company data, students in PLTW Cybersecurity establish an ethical code of conduct while learning to defend data in today’s complex cyber world. If EOC Assessment Score is Accomplished/Distinguished (370 and above) student will receive Dual Credit weight for this course. This course fulfills the computer science graduation requirement. (CTE course)