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CTE Courses

High School
Pathway To Engineering

PLTW_HS_Brochure_05-2010

Introduction to Engineering Design (IED)
In this course, students use 3D solid modeling design software to help them design solutions to solve proposed problems. Students will learn how to document their work and communicate solutions to peers and members of the professional community. This course is designed for 9th or 10th grade students. The major focus of the IED course is to expose students to the design process, research and analysis, teamwork, communication methods, global and human impacts, engineering standards and technical documentation.

Principles of Engineering (POE)
This survey course of engineering exposes students to some of the major concepts they’ll encounter in a postsecondary engineering course of study. Students have an opportunity to investigate engineering and high-tech careers and to develop skills and understanding of course concepts. Students employ engineering and scientific concepts in the solution of engineering design problems. They develop problem-solving skills and apply their knowledge of research and design to create solutions to various challenges. Students also learn how to document their work and communicate their solutions to peers and members of the professional community. This course is designed for 10th or 11th grade students.

Civil Engineering & Architecture (CEA)
The major focus of this course is completing long-term projects that involve the development of property sites. As students learn about various aspects of civil engineering and architecture, they apply what they learn to the design and development of a property. The course provides teachers and students freedom to develop the property as a simulation or for students to model the experiences that civil engineers and architects face. Students work in teams, exploring hands-on activities and projects to learn the characteristics of civil engineering and architecture. In addition, students use 3D design software to help them design solutions to solve major course projects. Students learn about documenting their project, solving problems and communicating their solutions to their peers and members of the professional community of civil engineering and architecture. This course is designed for 11th or 12th grade students.

Aerospace Engineering (AE)
The major focus of this course is to expose students to the world of aeronautics, flight and engineering through the fields of aeronautics, aerospace engineering and related areas of study. Lessons engage 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. Students work in teams utilizing hands-on activities, projects and problems and are exposed to various situations faced by aerospace engineers. In addition, students use 3D design software to help design solutions to proposed problems. Students design intelligent vehicles to learn about documenting their project, solving problems and communicating their solutions to their peers and members of the professional community. This course is designed for 11th or 12th grade students.

Capstone Course
Engineering Design and Development (EDD)

This is an engineering research course in which students will work in teams to research, design, test and construct a solution to an open-ended engineering problem. The product development life cycle and a design process are used to guide and help the team to reach a solution to the problem. The team presents and defends their solution to a panel of outside reviewers at the conclusion of the course. The EDD course allows students to apply all the skills and knowledge learned in previous Project Lead The Way courses. The use of 3D design software helps students design solutions to the problem their team has chosen. This course also engages students in time management and teamwork skills, a valuable set for students in the future. This course is designed for 12th-grade students.

Biomedical Sciences
Principles of the Biomedical Sciences (PBS)

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. Key biological concepts including homeostasis, metabolism, inheritance of traits and defense against disease are embedded in the curriculum. Engineering principles including the design process, feedback loops and the relationship of structure to function are also incorporated. 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)
Students examine the interactions of body systems as they explore identity, communication, power, movement, protection, and homeostasis. Students design experiments, investigate the structures and functions of the human body, and use data acquisition software to monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflex and voluntary action, and respiration. Exploring science in action, students build organs and tissues on a skeletal manikin, work through interesting real world cases and often play the role of biomedical professionals to solve medical mysteries.

Medical Interventions (MI)
Students investigate a variety of interventions involved in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease as they follow the lives of a fictitious family. The course is a “how-to” manual for maintaining overall health and homeostasis in the body as students explore how to prevent and fight infection; how to screen and evaluate the code in human DNA; how to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer; and how to prevail when the organs of the body begin to fail. These scenarios expose students to the wide range of interventions related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices and diagnostics. Each family case scenario introduces multiple types of interventions and reinforces concepts learned in the previous two courses, as well as presenting new content. Interventions may range from simple diagnostic tests to treatment of complex diseases and disorders. These interventions are showcased across generations of a family and provide a look at the past, present and future of the biomedical sciences. Lifestyle choices and preventive measures are emphasized throughout the course as are the important roles scientific thinking and engineering design play in the development of interventions of the future.

Biomedical Interventions (BI)
In this capstone course, students apply their knowledge and skills to answer questions or solve problems related to the biomedical sciences. Students design innovative solutions for the health challenges of the 21st century as 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 and may work with a mentor or advisor from a university, hospital, physician’s office, or industry. Throughout the course, students are expected to present their work to an adult audience that may include representatives from the local business and healthcare community.

Middle School
Gateway To Technology
PLTW_MS_Brochure_05-2010

Design & Modeling (DM)
Students are introduced to and use the design process to solve problems and understand the influence that creative and innovative design has on our lives.

Automation & Robotics (AR) 
Students use a robust robotics platform to design, build and program a solution to solve an existing problem.

Energy & the Environment (EE)
Students investigate the impact of energy on our lives and the environment and design and model alternative energy sources.

Flight and Space (FS)
Students explore the science behind aeronautics and use their knowledge to design, build and test an airfoil.

Green Architecture (GA)
Students use a 3D architectural software program to create an environmentally friendly home using shipping containers.

Magic of Electrons (ME)
Through hands-on projects, students explore the science of electricity, behavior and parts of atoms and sensing devices.

Science of Technology (ST)
Students apply the concepts in physics, chemistry and nanotechnology to STEM activities and projects.