Berea High School
PLTW Introduction to Engineering Design Syllabus
TEACHER NAME: Mr. Street
CONTACT INFORMATION: 864-355-1645 bstreet@greenville.k12.sc.us
TEXTBOOK:
An official Project Lead The Way (PLTW) "Introduction to Engineering Design" (IED) textbook PDF is not available for public access. The IED curriculum is an online resource accessible through the my.pltw.org platform, not a traditional textbook.
To access the PLTW IED curriculum
For enrolled students and teachers: The curriculum is accessed digitally through the official PLTW online learning platform.
Log in to your account at my.pltw.org.
Navigate to the "Courses" section.
Select the IED course materials.
To download content as a PDF: You can download and print individual sections of the curriculum if you have a valid account.
Go to the specific section or page you need.
Click the printer icon in the top-right corner to download it as a PDF.
COURSE TITLE: PLTW Introduction to Engineering Design
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) is a high school engineering course in the PLTW Engineering Program. In IED, students explore engineering tools and apply a common approach to the solution of engineering problems, an engineering design process. Utilizing the activity-project-problem-based (APB) teaching and learning pedagogy, students progress from completing structured activities to solving open-ended projects and problems that require them to plan, document, communicate, and develop other professional skills.
Through both individual and collaborative team activities, projects, and problems, students apply systems thinking and consider various aspects of engineering design including material selection, human-centered design, manufacturability, assemblability and sustainability. Students develop skills in technical representation and documentation especially through 3D computer modeling using a Computer Aided Design (CAD) application. As part of the design process, students produce precise 3D-printed engineering prototypes using an additive manufacturing process. Student-developed testing protocols drive decision-making and iterative design improvements. To inform design and problem solutions addressed in IED, students apply computational methods to inform design by developing algorithms, performing statistical analyses, and developing mathematical models. Students build competency in professional engineering practices including project management, peer review, and environmental impact analysis as part of a collaborative design team. Ethical issues related to professional practice and product development are also presented.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Students will become proficient with the concepts stated by the SC Department of Education College and Career Readiness. They will use critical thinking to determine the best method for solving real-world problems and then carry them through to a solution.
COURSE PACING: Currently, the provided PLTW / CodeHS Course Outline is our pacing guide. The pacing will be revised as needed based on our population, needs, and abilities, and resolution of Data Sharing Agreement conflict.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
-Pencils
-Paper (both lined and graphing will be provided as needed)
-Folder (provided)
-Chromebook (charged)
Getting a pencil, computer, or charger from me may require collateral.
IN CLASS EXPECTATIONS:
-Be responsible, ready, and respectful
-Come prepared every day and ready to work
-NO FOOD OR DRINK (water is allowed in clear container with lid)
SAFETY EXPECTATIONS:
-Students are encouraged to wash/sanitize their hands often.
-Students must practice coughing and sneezing etiquette.
ELECTRONIC DEVICE POLICY:
Chromebooks MUST be charged every day before school.
Headphones and personal electronics (cell phones) are to be put away by the beginning of class.
TARDY POLICY:
School wide policy as specified in current student handbook.
ATTENDANCE:
Remember that you are allowed 5 unexcused absences per class. Anything over 5 absences will be handled by administration and can be made up at seat time. Please see the handbook on this web site's home page for more information. An absence does not excuse the student from completing missed assignments. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange time to make up work independently, schedule a brief meeting with the teacher, or attend after school tutoring.
The older attendance letter here is still great information: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18V8lsm7B4KPr2XlvVv5X7EmkKat8JZkb/view
LEAVING CLASS:
This year, to leave class (bathroom, primarily) will require you to use your chromebook to request a pass.
CONSEQUENCES OF IMPROPER ACTS:
Unless otherwise noted, the consequences for not adhering to these expectations are as follows.
Verbal warning
Conference with student
Parent contact
Detention (lunch or after school)
Referral to office
ANY BEHAVIOR REQUIRING IMMEDIATE ATTENTION WILL BE SENT TO ADMINISTRATION.
In the event that the school has to switch to a virtual learning environment...
ONLINE EXPECTATIONS:
Should we experience eLearning days, check Google Classroom for information
If the decision is made to hold class "live" through a virtual meeting, use proper netiquette
If class is held asynchronously (not online with the rest of the class),
- Complete attendance form before midnight to be counted present!
- Complete all assignments by the assigned due date.
- Contact teacher with any questions via email.
- Use teacher office hours wisely! They are there to help you!
IF YOU HAVE A VIRTUAL MEETING WITH ME:
Respect the time set for office hours.
Have questions and material ready before meet
Dress appropriately if the camera is on during the meet.
Mute your microphone unless speaking in order to cause less distraction during the meet.
Ask questions! You can unmute and ask or you can ask through the chat.
GRADING POLICY:
Grades are cumulative through the end of each semester and will be based on demonstrated mastery of concepts and development of skills. Updated grade reports will be available through the school portal so students and parents may continually monitor academic progress. Progress reports will go out every four and a half weeks. Student performance will be assessed in two categories: major (tests/projects) and minor assignments (quizzes or classwork). Each of these areas will be weighted and used to determine letter grades as follows:
Weighted Categories
Major: 60%
Minor: 40%
Period Weighting
First Quarter (Q1): 45%
Second Quarter (Q2): 45%
Final Exam: 10%
Grade Equivalence
A: 90-100
B: 80-89
C: 70-79
D: 60-69
F: below 60
MINOR GRADES:
A student's weekly grade for classwork assignments will be entered as a minor grade. Additional minor grades will also be given for longer quizzes between major tests. Most classwork / weekly grades will be for specific pieces of programming that contribute to an overall programming project.
MAJOR:
A comprehensive program / project to measure students’ mastery of skills and concepts will be graded at the end of each unit. These tests are designed to ensure that students are mastering topics that will guarantee success in this course and future programming courses. Absences before the test or project due date do not excuse a student from participating as scheduled. At the end of the semester, students will take a final project / exam over all the material. It will count 10% of the final grade.
Classwork, projects, quizzes, tests, and exams are open notebook if they are part of the grade for the class. If you take good notes or show your work when doing exercises, this can help you immensely. Good note-taking is a vital skill both in school and "the real world".
LATE WORK PROCEDURES:
School wide policy as specified in current student handbook. Please note, however, that all late grading will be done with the student present. The student must have the work ready to show to Mr Street - either on paper, by demonstration, or on the chromebook or PC in a window or tab that is already open on the device screen.
REDO/RETAKE/REVISION PROCEDURES:
School wide policy as specified in current student handbook.
Parental Communication
Backpack is the most efficient way to monitor your child’s progress. Every parent is able to create their own login. If you do not have this information, the guidance office can provide you with this information. E-mail is my preferred method of contact, though I will also contact you via phone. Be aware phone calls are directed to voicemail during the school day. I will return your call within 24 hours.
Honor Code (included for emphasis, but please note this is no longer part of the Handbook)
As a member of the Berea High community, we share a commitment to honor and integrity. We value those things that are right and decent; we reject any behavior that fails to meet those standards. Therefore, any act of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.