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Introduction to Engineering Design (IED)

Freshmen Course

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. 

Source: PLTW Engineering: Introduction to Engineering Design | Course Outline 

*All students have the opportunity to become professionally certified in the Fusion 360 CAD software.*

Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)

Sophomore Course

Manufactured items are part of everyday life, yet few people understand the excitement and innovation that is used to transform ideas into products. This course provides an opportunity for students to recognize many of the exciting career opportunities in the manufacturing industry. 

Computer Integrated Manufacturing is one of the specialization courses in the PLTW Engineering program. The course deepens the skills and knowledge of an engineering student within the context of efficiently creating the products all around us. Students build upon their Computer Aided Design (CAD) experience through the use of Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software. CAM transforms a digital design into a program that a Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) mill uses to transform a block of raw material into a product designed by a student. Students learn and apply concepts related to integrating robotic systems such as Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) and robotic arms into manufacturing systems. 

Throughout the course students learn about manufacturing processes and systems. This course culminates with a capstone project where students design, build, program, and present a manufacturing system model capable of creating a product. 

Source: PLTW Engineering: Computer Integrated Manufacturing | Course Outline 

Principles of Engineering (POE)

Junior Course

Principles of Engineering (POE) is a foundation course of the high school engineering pathway. This survey course exposes students to some of the major concepts that they will encounter in a postsecondary engineering course of study. Through problems that engage and challenge, students explore a broad range of engineering topics, including mechanisms, the strength of materials and structures, automation, and kinematics. The course applies and concurrently develops secondary level knowledge and skills in mathematics, science, and technology. 

Students have the opportunity to develop skills and understanding of course 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. 

Source: PLTW Engineering: Principles of Engineering | Course Outline 

Engineering Design & Development (EDD)

Senior Course

Engineering Design and Development (EDD) is the capstone course in the PLTW high school engineering program. It is an open-ended engineering research course in which students work in teams to design and develop an original solution to a well-defined and justified open-ended problem by applying an engineering design process. 

Students will perform research to select, define, and justify a problem. After carefully defining the design requirements and creating multiple solution approaches, teams of students select an approach, create, and test their solution prototype. Student teams will present and defend their original solution to an outside panel. While progressing through the engineering design process, students will work closely with experts and will continually hone their organizational, communication and interpersonal skills, their creative and problem solving abilities, and their understanding of the design process. 

Engineering Design and Development is a high school level course that is appropriate for 12th grade students. Since the projects on which students work can vary with student interest and the curriculum focuses on problem solving, EDD is appropriate for students who are interested in any technical career path. EDD should be taken as the final capstone PLTW course since it requires application of the knowledge and skills introduced during the PLTW foundation courses. 

Source: PLTW Engineering: Engineering Design and Development | Course Outline 

*All students have the opportunity to become professionally certified in Arduino board programming.*

Digital Electronics (DE) [Archived]

Elective Course

Digital electronics is the study of electronic circuits that are used to process and control digital signals. In contrast to analog electronics, where information is represented by a continuously varying voltage, digital signals are represented by two discrete voltages or logic levels. This distinction allows for greater signal speed and storage capabilities and has revolutionized the world of electronics. 

The major focus of the DE course is to expose students to the design process of combinational and sequential logic design, teamwork, communication methods, engineering standards, and technical documentation. 

Utilizing the activity-project-problem-based (APB) teaching and learning pedagogy, students will analyze, design, and build digital electronic circuits. While implementing these designs, students will continually hone their professional skills, creative abilities, and understanding of the circuit design process. 

Digital Electronics (DE) is a high school level course that is appropriate for 10th or 11th grade students interested in exploring electronics. Other than their concurrent enrollment in college preparatory mathematics and science courses, this course assumes no previous knowledge. 

Source: PLTW Engineering: Digital Electronics | Course Outline