PLTW: Building a Strong Foundation for
College and Career

Each PLTW Engineering course engages students in interdisciplinary activities like
working with a client to design a home, programming electronic devices or robotic arms,
or exploring algae as a bio-fuel source. 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.
  • Introduction to Engineering Design
  •  Principles of Engineering
  •  Civil Engineering and Architecture
  •  Computer Integrated Manufacturing
  •  Digital Electronics
  • Engineering Design and Development

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 a broad range of engineering topics including mechanisms, strength of
structure and materials, and automation, and then they apply what they know to take on
challenges like designing a self-powered car.

Civil Engineering and Architecture 

​Students learn important aspects of building and site design and development, and then
they apply what they know to design a commercial building.

Computer Integrated Manufacturing 

​Students discover and explore manufacturing processes, product design, robotics, and
automation, and then they apply what they have learned to design solutions for real-
world manufacturing problems.

Digital Electronics 

​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 and Development 

​Students identify a real-world challenge and then research, design, and test a solution,
ultimately presenting their unique solutions to a panel of engineers.