Benjamin Stoddert Middle School
Project Lead The Way - Gateway to Technology
Mr. Spriggs' 7th & 8th Grade Classes - 2018-2019
Welcome!
Welcome to the Benjamin Stoddert Middle School website for the Project Lead the Way Classroom and Curriculum Information.
This site should answer any questions you have about what the program is all about!
What is PLTW?
Project Lead the Way is a hands-on, problem-solving curriculum that causes students to think critically in ways that they never have before. Gateway to Technology is specifically for middle school students, introducing them to many different areas of STEM and engineering concepts.
PLTW is only in select school districts across the country. Currently, Benjamin Stoddert is one of the only schools in PGCPS to have Project Lead the Way!
Gateway to Technology
Middle school is a time of exploration, a time when students are figuring out what they’re passionate about today and how that relates to who they’ll become tomorrow.
During this transitional time, PLTW Gateway’s 10 units empower students to lead their own discovery. The hands-on program boosts classroom engagement and excitement, drives collaboration, and inspires “aha! moments” and deep comprehension. And as students engage in PLTW’s activities in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science, they see a range of paths and possibilities they can look forward to in high school and beyond.
To ensure that the more than 5 million Spanish-speaking students in the U.S. have access to this transformative learning experience, we're offering all PLTW Gateway units and teacher resources in both English and Spanish beginning in the 2019-20 school year.
Design & Modeling
Students discover the design process and develop an understanding of the influence of creativity and innovation in their lives. They are then challenged and empowered to use and apply what they’ve learned throughout the unit to design a therapeutic toy for a child who has cerebral palsy.
Automation & Robotics
Students trace the history, development, and influence of automation and robotics as they learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems. Students use the VEX Robotics® platform to design, build, and program real-world objects such as traffic lights, toll booths, and robotic arms.
