The PLTW Pathway to Engineering (PTE) program is a sequence of courses, which follows a proven hands-on, real-world problem-solving approach to learning. Throughout PTE, students learn and apply the design process, acquire strong teamwork and communication proficiency and develop organizational, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills. They discover the answers to questions like how are things made and what processes go into creating products? Students use the same industry-leading 3D design software used by companies like Intel, Lockheed Martin and Pixar. It’s STEM education and it’s at the heart of today’s high-tech, high-skill global economy.  PTE courses complement traditional mathematics and science courses and are designed to prepare students to pursue a post-secondary education and careers in STEM-related fields.  More information on PLTW can be found at www.PLTW.org.

Engineering Courses:

Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) - 1 credit     (grades 10-12)
Students use an engineering design process to improve existing products and invent new products that will eventually be manufactured or produced. They learn how to apply this process to solve problems in and out of the classroom. Using real world, sophisticated three-dimensional modeling software, students communicate the details of the products and will have the opportunity to create prototypes using a 3D printer. 

Principles of Engineering (POE) - 1 credit     (grades 11-12)
Recommended prerequisite: Successful completion of Introduction to Engineering Design.  Students will learn about major engineering concepts encountered in a college engineering curriculum. They will apply their knowledge of engineering concepts as they tackle real-world engineering design problems. Students will conduct destructive testing as they learn about material properties. They will design and build truss systems and determine the point of failure. Students will learn how to incorporate basic electronics and computer programming into the design of automated systems using VEX Robotics.

** Students who successfully complete both Introduction to Engineering Design and Principles of Engineering and meet additional requirements have the option to apply for college credit.  

Digital Electronics (DE) - 1 credit     (grades 11-12)
Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Introduction to Engineering Design or Principles of Engineering.  Digital electronics is the foundation of all modern electronic devices such as mobile phones, MP3 players, laptop computers, digital cameras and HD televisions.  Students are introduced to the process of combinational and sequential logic design, engineering standards and technical documentation.  Student success is accomplished through a combination of activities-based, project-based and problem-based learning.  The course uses computer simulations to teach students about the logic of electronics as they design, test, and construct circuits and devices.

** Students who successfully complete Digital Electronics and meet additional requirements have the option to apply for college credit.