PLTW

The PLTW Gateway coursework (middle school) engages students in authentic and innovative experiences that focus on exploration of the fields of computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. A concrete connection to careers emerges for students as they become aware that the content and skills they are learning are useful in solving problems in the world around them. The experience builds student competency and self efficacy through the scaffolded application of the design process, experimental design, problem-solving, computational thinking, data analysis, and modeling.  

Computer Science for Innovators & Makers (CSIM)

👨‍💻
Sixth grade - 18 weeks

App Creators
(AC)
📱
Seventh grade - 18 weeks

Green Architecture (GA)
📐
Eighth grade - 18 weeks

This course goes beyond just computer programming on Chromebooks. Using the APB instructional design approach, students plan and create physical computing system solutions used to solve real-world problems!

APB = Activity / Project / Problem-Based

"This instructional design approach centers on hands-on, real-world activities, projects, and problems that help students understand how the knowledge and skills they develop in the classroom can be applied in everyday life. The APB approach scaffolds student learning through structured activities and projects that empower students to become independent in the classroom and help them build skill sets to apply to an open-ended, real-world problem."  - @2021 Project Lead the Way, Inc.