PLTW Engineering Pathway

Introduction to Engineering Design is a full-year foundational course in the PLTW Engineering Program that immerses students in the engineering design process through hands-on, activity-, project-, and problem-based learning. Students use engineering tools and systems thinking to solve open-ended, real-world challenges while developing professional skills such as planning, documentation, communication, and collaboration.

The course emphasizes human-centered and sustainable design, technical representation through 3D CAD modeling, and the creation and testing of 3D-printed prototypes. Through iterative design, computational methods, and teamwork, students gain practical experience in engineering practices and decision-making.

Advanced Manufacturing is a full-year PLTW course that introduces students to modern engineering and smart manufacturing through Industry 4.0 concepts such as automation, robotics, AI, data analytics, and cyber-physical systems. The course engages learners in authentic, real-world problem solving using industry-grade tools and hands-on equipment.

Through PLTW’s activity-, project-, and problem-based approach, students build technical knowledge alongside critical skills like collaboration, communication, ethical reasoning, and design thinking, while gaining insight into in-demand manufacturing careers and the real-world impact of engineering decisions.

This survey course exposes students to major concepts they’ll encounter in a post-secondary engineering course of study. Topics include mechanisms, energy, statics, materials, and kinematics. They develop problem-solving skills and apply their knowledge of research and design to create solutions to various challenges, document their work and communicate solutions.

Vex Robots are flexible robotics systems that allow innovative students to work collaboratively to imagine, design, build, test, and iterate their solutions to a number of real problems.  Students will also explore concepts including but limited to:

1. Simple & compound machines
2.  Energy sources including solar & hydrogen fuel cells
3. Electrical engineering
4. Computer programming
5. Control systems
6. Fluid dynamics

Computer Science Principles is a full-year PLTW course that aligns with the College Board AP Computer Science Principles framework and national computer science standards. The course builds foundational coding and computational thinking skills while introducing tools that foster creativity, ethical decision-making, and socially responsible use of technology.

Students explore the broad impact of computing on society, learn about in-demand computer science careers, and develop skills applicable across a wide range of future professions, helping them see themselves in pathways they may not have previously considered.

PLTW Capstone is a culminating course for 12th-grade students completing their PLTW pathway, where teams engage in open-ended research to design, develop, and defend an original solution to a real-world problem.

Drawing on prior PLTW knowledge, students collaborate to define problems, research and justify solutions, create and test prototypes, and work with industry experts throughout the process.

The course emphasizes project management, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, empowering students to seek out resources and mentors as needed and culminating in a formal presentation to an external panel.