Project Lead The Way
High School Courses
Project Lead the Way offers a sequence of high school courses that follows a proven hands-on, real-world problem-solving approach to learning. Students learn and apply the design process, acquire
strong teamwork and communication proficiency and develop organizational, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
The high school program is taught in conjunction with a rigorous academic curriculum. (All specialization courses are not offered at all PLTW schools.)
Introduction to Engineering Design (IED)
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. Students use 3D solid modeling design software to help them design solutions to solve proposed problems and learn how to document
their work and communicate solutions to peers and members of the professional community.
Principles of Engineering (POE)
Designed for 10th or 11th grade students, 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.
Aerospace Engineering (AE )
AE explores the evolution of flight, navigation and control, flight fundamentals, aerospace materials, propulsion, space travel, and orbital mechanics. In addition, this course presents
alternative applications for aerospace engineering concepts. Students analyze, design, and build aerospace systems. They apply knowledge gained throughout the course in a final presentation about
the future of the industry and their professional goals. This course is designed for 10th, 11th or 12th grade students.
Biotechnical Engineering (BE)
In this course students explore the diverse fields of biotechnology. Hands-on projects engage students in engineering design problems related to biomechanics, cardiovascular engineering, genetic
engineering, tissue engineering, biomedical devices, forensics and bioethics. Students, usually at the 11th and 12th grade level, apply biological and engineering concepts to design materials and
processes that directly measure, repair, improve and extend living systems.
Civil Engineering and Architecture (CE)
Students learn about various aspects of civil engineering and architecture and apply their knowledge to the design and development of residential and commercial properties and structures. In
addition, students use 3D design software to design and document solutions for major course projects. Students communicate and present solutions to their peers and members of a professional
community of engineers and architects. This course is designed for 11th or 12th grade students.
Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM)
the same as it is for a musical instrument? How do assembly lines work? How has automation changed the face of manufacturing? While students discover the answers to these questions, they’re
learning about the history of manufacturing, robotics and automation, manufacturing processes, computer modeling, manufacturing equipment, and flexible manufacturing systems. This course is
designed for 10th, 11th or 12th grade students.
Digital Electronics (DE)
Digital electronics is the foundation of all modern electronic devices such as mobile phones, MP3 players, laptop computers, digital cameras and high-definition televisions. Students are
introduced to the process of combinational and sequential logic design, engineering standards and technical documentation. This course is designed for 10th or 11th grade students.
Engineering Design and Development (EDD)
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. This course is appropriate for 12th grade students.
(Course descriptions are from PLTW website. For additional information, visit the PLTW website.