Introduction to Engineering Design (IED)

920 – Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) – 1 credit

· Full Year – Grades 9-12 – Fee

Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) is a high school engineering course in the PLTW Engineering Pathway. 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 will progress from completing structured activities to solving open-ended projects and problems that require them to develop planning, documentation, communication, and other professional skills especially in developing mechanical solutions. Through both individual and collaborative team activities, projects, and problems, students will apply systems thinking and consider various aspects of engineering design including material selection, human-centered design, manufacturability, assimilability and sustainability. Students will 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 will produce precise 3D-printed engineering prototypes using an additive manufacturing process. Student-developed testing protocols will drive decision-making and iterative design improvements.