Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is a national pre-engineering program established to help schools give students the knowledge they need to excel in high-tech fields.  Studies of PLTW curriculum have proven that PLTW students become 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 and careers.  Furthermore, the 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.  Introduction at the high school level will allow students to determine if engineering is a desirable career for their future. 

PLTW is a sequence of courses which, when combined with college preparatory mathematics and science courses in high school, introduces students to the scope, rigor and discipline of engineering and engineering technology prior to entering college.  The PLTW courses offered at Wausau West include: Principles of Engineering, Civil Engineering and Architecture, and Engineering Design and Development.   

Classes can be taken in sequence over four years or taken as schedules allow.  Why should students take Project Lead the Way classes?  Because PLTW is a hands-on, project-based approach to learning that better prepares students for the rigors of college. The pre-engineering program incorporates Math, Science, English, and Technology skills needed for success.  Real world problem solving is used to answer the students' age-old questions, "Why do I need to know this?" and "When am I ever going to use this?"  In addition, PLTW students from certified schools such as Wausau West High School can take the PLTW/National Affiliate final exams. If a student successfully passes the final exam, he or she earns the option of purchasing college credit.  For additional information visit the PLTW website: www.pltw.org.