Project Lead the Way
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is a nationwide, innovative project-based learning program that incorporates science, technology, engineering, and math. PLTW empowers students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges in an exciting and engaging way.
Each Project Lead the Way engineering course engages students in interdisciplinary activities like working with a client to design a home, programming electronic devices or robotic arms, software development for a stakeholder, or combining these skills in challenging design problems. These activities not only build knowledge and skills in engineering but also empower students to develop essential skills such as problem-solving, critical and creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and perseverance.
Pathway Courses Offered at P.K. Yonge
*Note: Courses are taken in sequential order.
Introduction to Engineering Design
Students dig deep into the engineering design process, applying math, science, and engineering standards to hands-on projects like designing a new toy or improving an existing product.
Principles of Engineering
Students explore how modern engineers help improve the world through diverse engineering fields, such as product design, mechanical design, infrastructure, and sustainability. Students learn and use some of the cutting-edge tools engineers use in robotics, 3D modeling, programming, and prototyping.
Civil Engineering & Architecture (Rotates Yearly with DE)
Students learn important aspects of building and site design and development, and then they apply what they know to design a commercial building.
Digital Electronics (Rotates Yearly with CEA)
Students explore the foundations of computing by engaging in circuit design processes to create combinational logic and sequential logic (memory) as electrical engineers do in industry.
Engineering Design & Development
Students engage in an open-ended research experience in the PLTW Capstone course, a culminating program for those completing PLTW’s high school offerings. They collaborate with stakeholders, designing and developing original solutions to well-defined and justified real-world problems.
Certification Potential:
- WordPress
- Entrepreneurship
- Project Management
- Autodesk Inventor
- Autodesk Revit
College Credit & PLTW
Two Opportunities for Consideration:
Opportunity 1: Rochester Institute of Technology
RIT offers high school students a pathway to earn college credit through Project Lead the Way courses. Credits can be used at RIT or can be transferred to other universities.
Eligible Courses
Engineering
- Engineering Essentials (EES)
- Introduction to Engineering Design (I2ED)
- Principles of Engineering (POE)
- Digital Electronics (DE)
Opportunity 2: American Council on Education (ACE) Learning
American Council on Education (ACE) Learning Evaluations has evaluated and recommended college credit for seven PLTW courses: Civil Engineering and Architecture, Cybersecurity, Digital Electronics, Human Body Systems, Principles of Biomedical Science, Medical Interventions, and Principles of Engineering. Students must achieve at least a 370 on the end-of-course assessment to be awarded college credit as recommended.
All seven courses are now listed on the ACE National Guide. As college credit opportunities are solidified, all information will be listed on PLTW’s Student Opportunities page.
Engineering Pathway Courses
| Grade | Required Courses |
|---|---|
| 9 | Introduction to Engineering |
| 10 | Principles of Engineering |
| 11 | Digital Electronics OR Civil Engineering & Architecture |
| 12 | Engineering Design & Development |
Program Accolades:
- 2023–2024 PLTW Distinguished High School
Co-Curricular & Extracurricular Activities
- FIRST Lego League: Middle School Robotics Team—Contact: Gabe Lee; glee@pky.ufl.edu
- (Year Round) – FIRST Technical Challenge Team 18317 – Steel Eels: Junior Varsity Robotics Team—Contact: Leigh Anne Brewster; labrewster@pky.ufl.edu
- (Year Round) – FIRST Robotics Competition Team 4118: Roaring Riptide: Varsity Robotics Team—Contact: Leigh Anne Brewster; labrewster@pky.ufl.edu
- National Honor Society in STEM – (NSTEM): Contact: Leigh Anne Brewster; labrewster@pky.ufl.edu
- National Technical Honor Society (NTHS): Contact: Leigh Anne Brewster; labrewster@pky.ufl.edu