Engineering Foundations

Computer Integrated Manufacturing - PLTW

PLTW Computer Integrated Manufacturing is one of the specialization courses in the PLTW Engineering program. The course deepens the skills and knowledge of an engineering student within the context of efficiently creating the products around us. Students build upon their Computer Aided Design (CAD) experience through the use of Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software.

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Engineering Design & Presentation I

Engineering Design and Presentation I is a continuation of knowledge and skills learned in Principles of Applied Engineering. Students enrolled in this course will demonstrate knowledge and skills of the design process as it applies to engineering fields using multiple software applications and tools necessary to produce and present working drawings, solid model renderings, and prototypes. Students will use a variety of computer hardware and software applications to complete assignments and projects. Through implementation of the design process, students will transfer advanced academic skills to component designs. Additionally, students explore career opportunities in engineering, technology, and drafting and what is required to gain and maintain employment in these areas.

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Project Based Research

Project-Based Research is a course for students to research a real-world problem. Students are matched with a mentor from the business or professional community to develop an original project on a topic related to career interests. Students use scientific methods of investigation to conduct in-depth research, compile findings, and present their findings to an audience that includes experts in the field. To attain academic success, students must have opportunities to learn, reinforce, apply, and transfer their knowledge and skills in a variety of settings.

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Engineering Science

Engineering Science is an engineering course designed to expose students to some of the major concepts and technologies that they will encounter in a postsecondary program of study in any engineering domain. Students will have an opportunity to investigate engineering and high-tech careers. In Engineering Science, students will employ science, technology, engineering, and mathematical concepts in the solution of real-world challenge situations. Students will develop problem-solving skills and apply their knowledge of research and design to create solutions to various challenges.

Digital Electronics

Digital Electronics is the study of electronic circuits that are used to process and control digital signals. In contrast to analog electronics, where information is represented by a continuously varying voltage, digital signals are represented by two discreet voltages or logic levels. This distinction allows for greater signal speed and storage capabilities and has revolutionized the world of electronics. Digital electronics is the foundation of modern electronic devices such as cellular phones, digital audio players, laptop computers, digital cameras, and high-definition televisions. 

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Engineering Design & Problem Solving

The Engineering Design and Problem-Solving course is the creative process of solving problems by identifying needs and then devising solutions. The solution may be a product, technique, structure, or process depending on the problem. Science aims to understand the natural world, while engineering seeks to shape this world to meet human needs and wants. Engineering design takes into consideration limiting factors or "design under constraint." Various engineering disciplines address a broad spectrum of design problems using specific concepts from the sciences and mathematics to derive a solution.

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Scientific Research and Design I

Scientific Research and Design is a broad-based course designed to allow districts and schools considerable flexibility to develop local curriculum to supplement any program of study or coherent sequence. The course has the components of any rigorous scientific or engineering program of study from the problem identification, investigation design, data collection, data analysis, formulation, and presentation of the conclusions. These components are integrated with the career and technical education emphasis of helping students gain entry-level employment in high-skill, high-wage jobs and/or continue their education.

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Engineering Design & Presentation II

Engineering Design and Presentation II is a continuation of knowledge and skills learned in Engineering Design and Presentation I. Students enrolled in this course will demonstrate knowledge and skills of the design process as it applies to engineering fields using multiple software applications and tools necessary to produce and present working drawings, solid model renderings, and prototypes. Students will use a variety of computer hardware and software applications to complete assignments and projects. Through implementation of the design process, students will transfer advanced academic skills to component designs. Emphasis will be placed on using skills from ideation through prototyping.

Practicum in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math

Practicum in STEM is designed to give students supervised practical application of previously studied knowledge and skills. Practicum experiences can occur in a variety of locations appropriate to the nature and level of experience.