Forging new generations of engineers
What is Project Lead The Way?
PLTW is a not-for-profit organization.
PLTW partners with public schools, higher education institutions and the private sector to grow the nation’s technology workforce.
•Curricula - Rigorous and Relevant high school engineering courses that use project-based learning. It’s free to participants
PLTW Accomplishes This With:
•Professional Development – High-quality, continuing, and course-specific teacher training.
65%
20%
15%
Skilled
Professional
Unskilled
Why Do We Need PLTW?
20%
20%60%
Skilled
Professional
Unskilled
2000
1960
Our Workforce Has Changed.
Are we training the engineers and technicians we need?
•There are currently 1.3 M engineering/engineering technology jobs available in the U.S. without trained people to fill them.
•According to the Federal Government we will need 15 million engineers and technology workers by 2020.
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,00019
88
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
# o
f E
ng
inee
rin
g T
ech
no
log
y
Deg
rees
ASSOCIATEDEGREES
BACHELOR'SDEGREES
SOURCE: American Association of Engineering Societies (2002)
What Does the Pipeline of Engineers Look Like?
Science and Technology in Society
Research
Complex Analysis
Complex Design
Development
Manufacturing Test and Evaluation
Routine Design
Production
Operation, Service, And Maintenance
Distribution and Sales
Our colleges and universities are well aligned with this…
But how is this connected to our high schools?
Science and Technology
in Many High Schools:
Chemistry,
Physics, &
Biology
Wood shop, Auto shop, Machine shop & Drafting
Make a small change in the culture of American high schools by:
• Strengthening the core academic curricula, (e.g. English, math, science, social studies, etc.)
• Adding a rigorous, technical, standards-based program of study in engineering and technology, leading to jobs, trade schools, 2-year, 4-year and post graduate degrees.
What Can We Do?
Gateway To Technology
• Design and Modeling• The Magic of Electrons• The Science of Technology• Automation and Robotics• **Environmental Engineering• **Energy and the Environment• **Aerospace Technology (NASA funded)
**in development
Middle School Curriculum:Middle School Curriculum:
Seven, Nine-week Modules:
Foundation:
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Specialization:
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Capstone:
•Computer Integrated Manufacturing•Civil Engineering and Architecture•Biotechnical Engineering (New this Year)
•Aerospace Technology (New this Year)
•Principles Of Engineering•Introduction to Engineering Design•Digital Electronics
•Engineering Design and Development
High School Course Program
Note: Course program requires college prep mathematics each year.
Foundation Course: Principles Of Engineering
•Engineering as a Career
•Materials Science
•Structural Design
•Applied Physics
•Automation/Robotics
•Embedded Processors
•Drafting/Design
A Hands-on, project-based course that teaches:
Foundation Course: Introduction To Engineering Design
If you want someone to learn…Teach what they’re interested in.
Foundation Course: Introduction To Engineering Design
Foundation Course: Introduction To Engineering Design
Foundation Course: Digital Electronics
Theory-> Design-> Simulate-> Fabricate-> Test
Specialization Course:Computer Integrated Manufacturing
Specialization Course:Civil Engineering and Architecture
Cuban Restaurant Project
•Soils
•Permits
•Design
•Structural analysis
Specialization Course:Civil Engineering and Architecture
•Interior design
•3D walkthrough
•Architectural drawings
Redesign Their Neighborhood Park
Civil Engineering & Architecture Redesign Their Own Classroom
Capstone Course:Engineering Design and Development
Problem Solving in Teams
Juried Presentations
Participant Growth 1997 - 2006
• 1996-19971 School
• 2004-2005800 Schools
• 2006-2007 1600+ Schools
Student Performance in Reading, Mathematics and Science
240
250
260
270
280
290
300
310
320
330
No Major/No CPrep
Coll Prep only Major/C Prep PLTW
Reading
Math
Sc ience
How Well is PLTW Working?
What Students do Well in PLTW?The student who is:
• Creative- Likes to design things.
• In the upper 80% of their class
• A hands-on learner.
• An underachiever who might get “hooked” by an interesting, project-based class.
• Interested in computers, science, or technology.
• Good in math and science.
• Principles Of Engineering • Introduction to Engineering Design• Digital Electronics
• Computer Integrated Manufacturing
What Else Makes PLTW Unique?What Else Makes PLTW Unique?
Transcripted college credit is available to students enrolled in the following courses:
This makes a transcript with PLTW courses on it attractive to Universities.
What’s New in California?What’s New in California? Increased Collaboration & Support Increased Collaboration & Support
•QUALCOMM - awarded $1.4M to SDSU/PLTW for school support and increased enrollment (>2x)
•Small Manufacturers Institute – selected PLTW as its educational initiative.
•San Diego Regional EDC - Scholarships, in-class programs, fund raising, recruiting and lobbying
•SME – Developed and supports summer camps
•SD Building & Construction Trades – Funded and built Kearny High’s Construction Tech Acad.
•UC Recognition– “A-G” approval for courses
What’s New in California?What’s New in California? Increased Collaboration & Support Increased Collaboration & Support
•CA Community College Chancellor’s Office – Two, $450k grants to create better K-16 linkage.SDCC and El Camino are offering PLTW classes.
•AeroSpace Industries in the Antelope Valley – Offer internships, mentors & grants to schools.
•NASA - Paid to develop the Aerospace curriculum.
•SME – Developed and supports summer camps
•Philanthropic Organizations – Irvine Foundation, Gates Foundation support for manyof the small schools with PLTW.
Forging new generations of engineers