Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

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

PLTW Engineering (Practical Arts Credits) 

ENGINEERING ESSENTIALS (EE) (Course #H1028) Practical Arts Credit

GRADES 9, 10, 11, 12

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. 

INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING DESIGN (IED) (Course #H1029) Practical Arts Credit

GRADES 10, 11, 12 

Two semesters-1 credit

Prerequisite: Engineering Essentials (EE) OR instructor approval

*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 the design process, research and analysis as, 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.

PRINCIPLES OF ENGINEERING (Course #H1035) Practical Arts credit

GRADES 10, 11, 12 

Two Semesters – 1 credit 

Prerequisite: Engineering Essentials (EE) OR instructor approval

*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. 

DIGITAL ELECTRONICS (Course #H1036) Practical Arts credit

GRADES 10, 11, 12 

Two semesters- 1 credit 

Prerequisite: Engineering Essentials (EE) OR instructor approval

*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. 

AEROSPACE ENGINEERING (AE) (Course #H1033) Practical Arts credit

GRADES 11, 12 

Two semesters- 1 credit 

Prerequisite: Engineering Essentials (EE) OR instructor approval

*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. 

CIVIL ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE (CEA) (Course #H1034) Practical Arts credit 

Grade Level: 11, 12 

Two Semesters – 1 credit 

Prerequisite: Engineering Essentials (EE) OR instructor approval

*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. 

ENGINEERING DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT (EDD) (Course #H1037) Practical Arts credit

Grade Level: 12 

Two Semesters – 1 credit 

Prerequisite: Engineering Essentials (EE) Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) and Principles of Engineering (POE) OR instructor approval

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.

PLTW Biomedical Sciences (Science Elective credits) 

PRINCIPLES OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES (PBS) (Course #H1041) Science elective

GRADES 9, 10, 11, 12 

Two semesters- 1 credit 

*Weighted Course

Students investigate the human body systems and various health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, sickle-cell disease, hypercholesterolemia, and infectious diseases. They determine the factors that led to the death of a fictional person, and investigate lifestyle choices and medical treatments that might have prolonged the person’s life. The activities and projects introduce students to human physiology, medicine, research processes and bioinformatics. 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. 

HUMAN BODY SYSTEMS (HBS) (Course #H1050) Science elective

GRADES 10, 11, 12 

Two semesters – 1 credit 

Prerequisite: Principles of Biomedical Sciences OR instructor approval

*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. 

MEDICAL INTERVENTION (MI) (Course #H1055) Science elective

GRADES 11, 12 

Two Semesters – 1 credit 

Prerequisite: Principles of Biomedical Science and Human Body Systems OR instructor approval

*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. 

BIOMEDICAL INNOVATIONS (BI) (Course # H1057) Science elective

GRADE 12 

Two Semesters – 1 credit

Prerequisite: Medical Intervention OR instructor approval

 *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

PLTW Computer Science (Practical Arts credits) 

COMPUTER SCIENCE I (Course #H1062) Practical Arts Credit

PLTW COMPUTER SCIENCE ESSENTIALS 

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

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.

COMPUTER SCIENCE II (Course #H1060) Practical Arts credit

PLTW COMPUTER SCIENCE  PRINCIPLES 

GRADES 9, 10, 11, 12 

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 is a class designed for students of all grade levels, who have experience programming in Python or some other computer language.

CYBERSECURITY (Course #H1061) Practical Arts credit

GRADES  10, 11, 12

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. 

AP COMPUTER SCIENCE A (Course #H6125) Practical Arts credit

GRADES 10, 11, 12 

Two semesters – 1 credit 

Prerequisite: Computer Science Principles OR instructor approval

*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.