Project Lead the Way (PLTW)

Do You . . .plan on going to college; like math and science; enjoy planning projects; enjoy designing and then creating your design; like problem solving; want to become an engineer or architect; want to earn college credit in high school?

If you have answered “yes” to more than half of these questions, this department may have courses for you! For greater understanding of your interests, see your guidance counselor to review your interest inventory results.

ENGINEERING / PROJECT LEAD THE WAY (PLTW) is a national non-profit organization established to help schools give students the knowledge they need to excel in high-tech fields.  Studies of PLTW’s curriculum have proven that PLTW students become the kind of prepared, competent, high-tech employees U.S. industry needs to stay competitive in the global market.  With its strong partnership concept, PLTW leverages the collective knowledge and efforts of secondary schools, colleges and universities, and industry to give students rigorous, relevant, reality-based knowledge to better prepare them for college.  Research shows, and continues to confirm, that students introduced to engineering principles, concepts, and real-world problems in high school are better prepared for college engineering programs – and more likely to be successful in post-secondary education.  Furthermore, the PLTW program addresses national standards in math, science, language arts, and technology, as well as offers students COLLEGE CREDIT at articulated institutions.

PRINCIPLES OF ENGINEERING (PLTW-POE) at Wausau West High School

Course: 124271/224271 Credit: 1.0 Length: Year Year Taken: 10-12

Prerequisite: Fab Lab 1 and 2 recommended but not required. Fee: None

Principles of Engineering (POE) is the second course offered within the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum.  This year-long course is designed to further students’ understanding in the field of engineering/technology.  Students enrolled in POE will explore various technological systems, manufacturing processes, and how engineers/technicians use math, science and technology in an engineering problem solving process to benefit people.  Activities that provide the foundation of POE include:  study of mechanisms, energy, electrical/fluid systems; exploration of material properties, statics, strength, testing; survey of control systems and introductory robotics.  The course also includes concerns about social and political consequences of technological change. 

Note: Course can fulfill 1 credit toward high school graduation requirements as a non-lab science. This course will not count as a lab science requirement for college admission. Please refer to admissions requirements from individual post-secondary institutions or contact Theran Peterson, Technology Education Department Chair, for more information

CIVIL ENGINEERING & ARCHITECTURE (PLTW-CEA) at Wausau West High School 

Course: 124481/224481 Credit: 1.0 Length: Year Year Taken: 11-12

Prerequisite: Fab Lab 1 and 2 & PLTW-POE recommended but not required

Fee: None

Civil Engineering & Architecture (CEA) is a specialization course offered within Project Lead The Way (PLTW) curriculum.  This year-long course provides students an overview of the fields of civil engineering and architecture, while emphasizing the interrelationship and dependence of both fields on each other. Students use state of the art software to solve real world problems and communicate solutions to hands-on projects and activities. This course covers topics such as: the roles of civil engineers and architects, project planning, site planning, building design, utilization of surveying equipment (transits, levels, lasers), project documentation and presentation, and introduction to three dimensional design/architectural software.