Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is the nation's leading provider of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs. Through world-class curricula, high-quality teacher professional development, and outstanding partnerships, PLTW is helping students develop the skills needed to succeed in the global economy. The Wentzville School District offers all 3 program sequences that are available from PLTW: Engineering, Biomedical Science and Computer Science. For more information about Project Lead the Way (PLTW) and the program sequences, please visit the website: www.pltw.org
Course #H1028 Practical Arts credit
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Time: Two Semesters - 1 credit
*Weighted Course
Engineering Essentials will offer a multi-disciplinary approach to teaching and learning foundational concepts of engineering practice, providing students opportunities to explore the breadth of engineering career opportunities and experiences, and solve engaging and challenging real world problems.
Course #H1029 Practical Arts credit
Grades: 10,11, 12
Time: Two semesters-1 credit
Prerequisite: Engineering Essentials (EE) Recommendation: Grade of B or higher in Algebra 1, completion or concurrent enrollment in Geometry, proficient use of Microsoft Office products such as PowerPoint and Word, and strong reading and comprehension skills.
*Weighted Course
Introduction to Engineering Design™ (IED) is the first PLTW - Engineering course and is appropriate for high school students who are interested in design and engineering. The major focus of the IED course is to expose students to design process, research and analysis, teamwork, communication methods, global and human impacts, engineering standards, and technical documentation. IED gives students the opportunity to develop skills and understanding of course concepts through activity-, project-, and problem-based (APPB) learning. Used in combination with a teaming approach, APPB-learning challenges students to continually hone their interpersonal skills, creative abilities, and understanding of the design process. It also allows students to develop strategies to enable and direct their own learning, which is the ultimate goal of education. The course assumes no previous knowledge, but students should be concurrently enrolled in Geometry and an upper level science. Students use a state of the art 3D solid modeling design software package to help them design solutions to solve proposed problems which will increase in difficulty throughout the course. Students also learn how to document their work and communicate their solutions to their peers and members of the professional community. Introduction to Engineering Design is a foundational course in the Project Lead the Way high school pre-engineering program.
Course #H1035 Practical Arts credit
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Time: Two Semesters – 1 credit
Prerequisite: Engineering Essentials (EE)
Recommendation: “B” average in Geometry, Formal Geometry or Advanced Geometry
*Weighted Course
Principles of Engineering is the second PLTW - Engineering course and uses project-based, hands-on experiences to teach students the key elements and skills of engineering and technology-based careers. Concepts in this course include communication and documentation, design process, engineering systems, statics and strength of materials, materials and material testing in engineering, engineering for reliability, and kinematics. This course explores technology systems, manufacturing processes, and addresses the social and political consequences of technological change. The application of physics, trigonometry, and applied sciences are integrated in the course to solve engineering problems. Autodesk Inventor software is utilized to assist in completion of projects.
Course #H1036 Practical Arts credit
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Time: Two semesters- 1 credit
Prerequisite: Engineering Essentials (EE)
Recommendation: Completion of Principles of Engineering and a “B” average in Geometry, Formal Geometry or Advanced Geometry
*Weighted Course
Digital Electronics ™(DE) is a high school level course that is appropriate for college bound students interested in electrical engineering, electronics or circuit design. Digital Electronics™ is the study of electronic circuits that are used to process and control digital signals. Digital electronics is the foundation of all modern electronic devices such as cellular phones, laptop computers, digital cameras, high definition televisions, etc. 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. Students are also exposed to circuit design tools used in industry, including logic gates, integrated circuits, and programmable logic devices. Utilizing the activity-project-problem-based (APPB) teaching and learning pedagogy, students analyze, design and build digital electronic circuits. While implementing these designs, students continually hone their interpersonal skills, creative abilities and understanding of the design process. The course applies and concurrently develops secondary level knowledge and skills in mathematics, science, and technology. Digital Electronics™ is one of several courses (AE, CEA, and CSP ) available for students in their 3rd year of the Project Lead the Way high school pre-engineering program.
Course #H1033 Practical Arts credit
Grades: 11, 12
Time: Two semesters- 1 credit
Prerequisite: Engineering Essentials (EE)
*Weighted Course
Aerospace Engineering engages students in engineering design problems related to aerospace information systems, astronautics, rocketry, propulsion, the physics of space science, space life sciences, the biology of space science, principles of aeronautics, structures and materials, and systems engineering. Using 3-D design software, students work in teams utilizing hands-on activities, projects and problems and are exposed to various situations encountered by aerospace engineers. Aerospace Engineering is one of several courses (DE, CEA, and CSP ) available for students in their 3rd year of the Project Lead the Way high school pre-engineering program.
Course #H1034 Practical Arts credit
Grades: 11, 12
Time: Two Semesters – 1 credit
Prerequisite: Engineering Essentials (EE)
*Weighted Course
The major focus of this course is for students to apply what they learn to the design and development of a property. Students work in teams as they explore hands-on activities and projects to learn important aspects of civil engineering and architecture. Students use 3D design software to help them design solutions to solve major course projects. Students document their project, solve problems, and communicate their solutions to their peers and members of the professional community of civil engineering and architecture. Civil Engineering and Architecture is one of several courses (AE, DE, and CSP ) available for students in their 3rd year of the Project Lead the Way high school pre-engineering program.
Course #H1037 Practical Arts credit
Grades: 12
Time: Two Semesters – 1 credit
Prerequisite: Engineering Essentials (EE) Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) and Principles of Engineering (POE) Recommendation: Concurrent enrollment in Formal Algebra II or higher and 1 additional PLTW course (AE, DE, CEA or CSP )
*Weighted Course
In this capstone course, students work in teams to design and develop an original solution to a valid, open-ended technical problem by applying the engineering design process. Students perform research to choose, validate, and justify a technical problem. After carefully defining the problem, teams design, build, and test their solutions while working closely with industry professionals who provide mentoring opportunities. Finally, student teams present and defend their original solution to an outside panel.
Course #H1041 Science elective
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Time: Two semesters- 1 credit
*Weighted Course
Students explore concepts of biology and medicine as they take on roles of different medical professionals to solve real-world problems. Over the course of the year, students are challenged in various scenarios including investigating a crime scene to solve a mystery, diagnosing and proposing treatment to patients in a family medical practice, to tracking down and containing a medical outbreak at a local hospital, stabilizing a patient during an emergency, and collaborating with others to design solutions to local and global medical problems. This course is designed to provide an overview of all the courses in the Biomedical Sciences program and lay the scientific foundation for subsequent courses.
Course #H1050 Science elective
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Time: Two semesters – 1 credit
Prerequisite: Successful completion or concurrent enrollment in Principles of Biomedical Sciences
*Weighted Course
Students engage in the study of the processes, structures, and interactions of the human body systems. Important concepts in the course include: communication, transport of substances, locomotion, metabolic processes, defense, and protection. The systems are studied as “parts of a whole,” working together to keep the amazing human machine functioning at an optimal level. Students design experiments, investigate the structures and functions of body systems, and use data acquisition software to monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflex and voluntary actions, and respiratory operation. Students work through interesting real-world cases and play the role of biomedical professionals to solve medical mysteries.
Course #H1055 Science elective
Grades: 11, 12
Time: Two Semesters – 1 credit
Prerequisite: Principles of Biomedical Science and Human Body Systems
*Weighted Course
Students investigate a variety of interventions involved in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease as they follow the life of a fictitious family. The course is a “How-To” manual for maintaining overall health and homeostasis in the body. Students explore how to prevent and fight infection; screen and evaluate the code in human DNA; prevent, diagnose and treat cancer; and prevail when the organs of the body begin to fail. Through these scenarios, students are exposed to a range of interventions related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices, and diagnostics
Course #H1057 Science elective
Grades: 12
Time: Two Semesters – 1 credit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Medical Intervention
*Weighted Course
Students design innovative solutions for the health challenges of the 21st century. They work through progressively challenging open-ended problems, addressing topics such as clinical medicine, physiology, biomedical engineering, and public health. They have the opportunity to work on an independent project with a mentor or advisor from a university, hospital, research institution, or the biomedical industry. Throughout the course, students are expected to present their work to an audience of STEM professionals
If you are unsure about which class is right for you (Computer Science Essentials or Computer Science Principles) please talk with your building's computer science teacher(s) and we will be happy to meet with you and decide which class is best for you.
Holt High School Todd Gambill toddgambill@wsdr4.org
Liberty High School Ryan Barnes and Eric Peggs ryanbarnes@wsdr4.org, ericpeggs@wsdr4.org
North Point High School Kevin Stockman kevinstockman@wsdr4.org
Timberland High School Quentin Lee quentinless@wsdr4.org
Course: H1062 Practical Arts credit
Grades: 9,10,11,12
Time: Two Semesters - 1 Credit
*Weighted Course
With emphasis on computational thinking and collaboration, this year-long course provides an excellent entry point for students to begin or continue the PLTW Computer Science PreK-12 experience. Computer Science Essentials will expose students to a diverse set of computational thinking concepts, fundamentals, and tools, allowing them to gain understanding and build confidence.
In Computer Science Essentials, students will use visual, block-based programming and seamlessly transition to text-based programming with languages such as Python to create apps and develop websites, and learn how to make computers work together to put their design into practice. They’ll apply computational thinking practices, build their vocabulary, and collaborate just as computing professionals do to create products that address topics and problems important to them.
Computer Science Essentials helps students create a strong foundation to advance to Computer Science Principles, Computer Science A, and beyond.
This class is an entry-level class, designed for students of all grade levels, who have little or no computer programming experience.
Course #H1060 Practical Arts credit
Grades: 9,10,11,12
Time: Two semesters- 1 credit
Weighted Course
Using Python® as a primary tool and incorporating multiple platforms and languages for computation, this course aims to develop computational thinking, generate excitement about career paths that utilize computing, and introduce professional tools that foster creativity and collaboration. This course helps students develop programming expertise and explore the workings of the Internet. Projects and problems include app development, visualization of data, cybersecurity, robotics, and simulation. This course aligns with the AP Computer Science Principles course. This is a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) course.
This class is designed for students of all grade levels who have experience programming in Python or some other computer language.
Course #H1061 Practical Arts credit
Grades: 10,11,12
Time: Two Semesters - 1 Credit
*Weighted Course
Students will experience major topics, big ideas, and computational thinking practices used by computing professionals to solve problems and create value for others. This course will empower students to develop computational thinking skills while building confidence that prepares them to advance to Computer Science Principles and AP Computer Science A. Topics will include information security, security algorithms, data abstraction, computer systems and networks, threat investigations, and industry-standard tools. This is a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) course.
Course #H6125 Practical Arts credit
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Time: Two semesters – 1 credit
Prerequisite: Computer Science Principles
*Weighted Course
This is not a PLTW course.
Computer science embraces problem solving, hardware, algorithms, and perspectives that help people utilize computers to address real-world problems in contemporary life. As the study of computer science is evolving, the careful design of the AP Computer Science A course and exam continues to strive to engage a diverse student population, including female and underrepresented students, with the rigorous and rewarding concepts of computer science. Students who take the AP Computer Science A course and exam are well prepared to continue their study of computer science and its integration into a wide array of computing and STEM-related fields.