Overview:

PLTW has developed a four-year sequence of courses which, when combined with college preparatory mathematics and science courses in high school, introduces students to the scope, rigor, and discipline of engineering and engineering technology prior to entering college.

The courses are:

Introduction to Engineering Design
Digital Electronics
Principles of Engineering
Computer Integrated Manufacturing
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Biotechnical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Engineering Design and Development

Introduction at this level will attract more students to engineering, and will allow students, while still in high school, to determine if engineering is the career they desire. Students participating in PLTW courses are better prepared for college engineering programs and more likely to be successful, thus reducing the attrition rate in these college programs, which currently exceeds 50% nationally.
A critical component of the Project Lead The Way program is its comprehensive teacher training model. The curriculum these teachers are required to teach utilizes cutting edge technology and software requiring specialized training. Ongoing training supports the teachers as they implement the program and provides for continuous improvement of skills.

Understanding that another key to success is awareness, PLTW makes a concerted effort to inform school counselors through counselor conferences, brochures and videotapes about the benefits of the program, as well as the wide array of technology jobs and careers available to students who enter the field upon graduation from high school and college.

In addition, PLTW has developed an exciting Middle School Technology Curriculum: Gateway To Technology. This project-based, cutting edge curriculum is 40 weeks in length and is divided into four 10-week units from the following: Design and Modeling; The Magic of Electrons; The Science of Technology; Automation and Robotics; three new units in development: Environmental Engineering, Energy and the Environment, and Aerospace Engineering. Designed for all students, the units address national standards in math, science and technology. One of the goals is to increase interest and awareness of female and minority students in technology and related careers. Gateway To Technology will also encourage increasing numbers of students to elect the high school program.

News:

The 2010 Core Training Schedules are now posted to the Engineering and Biomedical Sciences Affiliate pages

>News from Project Lead the Way

Project Lead The Way(R) Receives National Recognition from the Education Commission of the States

3rd Annual
Minnesota Project Lead the Way
Professional Development Conference
“Sustaining MN PLTW for the Generation of Innovative Learners --Through Collaboration"
March 2 – 3, 2010
Breezy Point Conference Center
To register - go to
http://www.togpartners.com/pltw/

2010 Minnesota Project Lead the Way Counselor Training Sessions
March 2, 2010
9:00-4:00
Pre-Conference to the Minnesota Statewide Conference
Breezy Point Conference Center
To register - go to
http://www.togpartners.com/pltw/

March 4, 2010
8:30-3:30
Training Sessions
Alexandria Technical College
1601 Jefferson Street
Alexandria, MN 56308-3799
8:30 a.m. to 3:30 P.M.
Rooms 209/211

Cost: $30.00 includes breaks and lunch
for more information contact:

Jim Mecklenburg,
PLTW Program Director MNCEME
james.mecklenburg@mnsu.edu
Office 763-263-2687
Work cell 320-493-5229

2010 Summer Training Institute Schedule

Can Be Found Here -
http://www.pltw.org/Engineering/Professional-Development/Affiliates/Minnesota-University.cfm

This is the link for the 2009 Purchasing Manual: http://www.pltw.org/cgi-bin/purchasemanual.shtml

Certification Power Point

> 2010 Core Training Document

> Minnesota SWE Certificate of Merit Awards Document

> Minnesota PLTW Software Costs for 2010 Document