1. What is Project Lead the Way?
2. Why is PLTW promoting engineering and engineering technology courses for high school students?
3. What are the High School's courses in the PLTW program?
4. Is PLTW considered a vocational program?
5. Which students would benefit from enrolling in a pre-engineering course?
6. Are PLTW courses challenging?
7. May my daughter/son take only one or two of the courses in the PLTW program?
8. My daughter is interest but wonders if the courses are "for boys," Are they?
9. I have lost my application, where can I get another one?

What is Project Lead the Way?

Project Lead the Way is a not-for-profit organization that promotes pre-engineering courses for middle and high school students. PLTW forms partnerships with public schools, higher education institutions and the private sector to increase
the quantity and quality of engineers and engineering technologists graduating from our education system.

Why is Project Lead the Way promoting engineering and engineering technology courses for high school students?

There is a critical shortage of engineers and engineering technologists entering the field at a time when technology is reinventing itself ever few years.

What are the High School's courses in the PLTW program?

Presently, there are 6 courses in the PLTW High School Pre-engineering Program:

Is PLTW considered a vocational program?

PLTW courses are considered part of the general education courses in the regular high school program. PLTW courses reflect national standards in math, science, and technology. Students are learning a career field and are preparing for a 2 or 4 year level program by enrolling in the PLTW program.

Which students would benefit from enrolling in a pre-engineering course?

Any student who is enrolled in a college prep math course is eligible for PLTW pre-engineering program. Students who also have an interest in science and math should be encouraged to consider the program as a means of career exploration. Those who find the engineering program of interest can complete all 5 courses in the sequence to become fully prepared for a 2 or 5 year college program in engineering or engineering technology. Others will find out in high school that engineering is not for them and will have time to prepare for another career path.

Are PLTW courses challenging?

Students who have done well in their math and science courses and who like to use computers will find these courses intellectually stimulating and manageable. Each course has something special to offer all students because it is, depending on the course, a hands-on daily experience in problem-solving, in electronics, robotics, and manufacturing processes. Because PLTW believes engineering and engineering technology are exciting careers, instructors have been trained in a teaching approach which involves students in the same team problem-solving activities used in college and industry. In addition, the problem-solving/analytical skills and processes are applicable to any career field. If, however, a student decides engineering is not for him or her, that learning will have occurred in high school and not later in college.

May my daughter/son take only one or two of the courses in the PLTW program?

The simple answer is, "Yes." The number or courses a student may take depends on the courses offered in the school, the student's interest and success in PLTW courses, and his/her life's goals. If a student were to enroll in just one course, s/he would learn problem-solving skills, as well as math and science skills, which would be helpful in many school courses.

My daughter is interest but wonders if the courses are "for boys," Are they?

Experience has shown when PLTW courses are introduced that girls, as well as boys sign up and do well in the courses.

I have lost my application, where can I get another one?

If you have Adobe reader you may download and print out a pdf version of the application. If you do not have Adobe Reader you must download it to view the file.