Online Learning: The students with self-direction are doing the best.

In this atmosphere, the self-directed, self-motivated, and independent students are surviving and thriving.

In other words, some students are truly taking the initiative for their own education and are doing well.

My job is to set up the challenge, draw up the criteria, and give you feedback during your process.

Because we are no longer in the classroom, I need to set up each project into more mini-assignments, to give me opportunity to give feedback.

It's up to the student to take on the challenge, and strive to learn and benefit from it. I am no longer there to make sure each student is paying attention, watching their eyes and stopping them from being distracted from their iPad or iPhone during class.

It's up to the student to reach out to me and be resourceful by reaching out to me, collaborating with others, researching online.

The kids who care about their education are still demonstrating learning and submitting evidence of applying concepts.

Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) is an honors foundation course in the high school engineering.

Students have the opportunity to develop skills and understanding of engineering concepts through activity, project, and problem-based (APB) learning. By solving rigorous and relevant design problems using engineering and science concepts within a collaborative learning environment, APB learning challenges students to continually hone their interpersonal skills, creative abilities, and problem solving skills. Students will also learn how to document their work and communicate their solutions to their peers and members of the professional community. It also allows students to develop strategies to enable and direct their own learning, which is the ultimate goal of education.

Units of Study:

1. The Design Process

2. Technical Sketching and Drawing- Engineering Drawing Standards

3. Measurement, Statistics, and Applied Geometry

4. Modeling Skills - Inventor, CAD Solid Modeling 3D computer program

5. Geometry of Design

6. Reverse Engineering

7. Documentation

8. Advanced Computer Modeling - Replaced with Automata Project - Consumer Product Design Innovation

9. Design Team: Fusion360 vs. OnShape

10. Design Challenges - Virtual Design Presentation - Summative Term Paper

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PLTW College Credit Information

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) offers PLTW students the opportunity to receive undergraduate credit for five PLTW courses: Introduction to Engineering Design (Design & Drawing for Production), Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Principles of Engineering, Digital Electronics, and Civil Engineering & Architecture.

To qualify, students must earn a stanine score of 6 or higher on the end-of-year exam (6 equals a B-; 7 equals a B; 8 and 9 equal an A and A-). The cost for credits in each course is $225 and each course is worth three semester credits.

Students who wish to earn RIT credit may do so by completing the current registration form, and sending it back to RIT at the address listed in the form.

Question may be directed to dacpltw@rit.edu.

Resources for Students and Parents

Please visit the site for additional information.

Canvas website for PLTW

AP + PLTW

Students that complete three courses in a pathway — one AP course; one PLTW course; and a third course, either AP or PLTW — and earn a score of 3 or higher on the AP Exam(s) and a score of Proficient or higher on the PLTW End of Course (EoC) assessment(s), have earned the AP + PLTW student recognition for that pathway. This recognition shows colleges and employers that you’re prepared for advanced course work — and interested in careers in the field you’re studying.