Project Lead The Way (Pre-Engineering Curriculum)

The Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Engineering program is a four-year sequence of courses which, when combined with traditional high school mathematics and science courses, introduces students to the scope, rigor and discipline of design and engineering prior to entering college. However, those not intending to pursue further formal education will benefit greatly from the knowledge and logical thought processes that result from taking some or all of the courses provided in the curriculum. Since you attend a PLTW-certified school, you can get a head start on your college career and add prestige to your admissions applications by receiving college credits from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) or St Cloud State University. These are transcripted credits and are eligible for transfer to other universities.

Introduction to Engineering Design (IED)
College Course Name: Introduction to Engineering Design (IED)
Full Year, 1 credit
Opportunity to earn 3 credits from Rochester Institute of Technology
Do you enjoy thinking of new product ideas? Do you ever look at a product and think of ways that you could make it better? IED emphasizes creative problem-solving, designing, and technical drawing skills that are used in business and industry to develop new products. You will develop solutions to product design problems by researching, sketching, rendering designs on the computer, and finally building product models. This course will be taught in a laboratory setting providing access to tools and materials for individual, small group, and large group projects. You will use “State of the Art” 3D modeling software Autodesk Inventor (CAD) to design, problem solve, communicate, and visualize your ideas. This is an excellent course for anyone interested in Designing, Engineering, Architecture or any other related career fields. It serves as the prerequisite for many of the technology courses the department has to offer. It also can replace one credit of science or math, but not both. IED is the keystone course in the new Pre-Engineering sequence (PLTW). Students will take the college level final exam for college credit.

Principles of Engineering (POE)
College Course Name: Principles of Engineering (POE)
Full Year, 1 credit
Opportunity to earn 3 credits from Rochester Institute of Technology
Prerequisite: Introduction to Engineering Design or Geometry Math (10-12 only)
The purpose of the principles of engineering course is to expose students to the correlation between math, science, and technology, through the use of a broad survey of the technology process employed in the field of engineering and engineering technology. The course is an interactive, hands-on, laboratory-based set of case studies which will convey the concepts, principles, skills, techniques, and attitudes relative to the professional and social obligations of an engineer. Computers, robots, digital electronics and structures will be utilized in order to understand the theory presented. The classroom situation will be enhanced by visits from professionals in related engineering fields, as well as field trips to local industrial and educational institutions. This course can be used in a Technology or Pre-engineering sequence (PLTW) and can replace one credit of science or math, but not both. Students will take the college level final exam for college credit.

Civil Engineering and Architecture (CEA)
College Course Name: Civil Engineering and Architecture (CEA)
Full Year, 1 credit
Opportunity to earn 3 credits from Rochester Institute of Technology
Prerequisite: Introduction to Engineering Design/ or Geometry Math (10-12 only)
CEA provides an overview of the fields of Civil Engineering and Architecture, while emphasizing the interrelationship and dependence of both fields on each other. Students will use detailed drawing and state of the art software to solve real world problems and communicate solutions to hands-on projects and activities. The major focus of the CEA course is a long term project that involves the development of a local property site. As students learn about various aspects of civil engineering and architecture, they apply what they learn to the design and development of this property. In addition, students use Revit (3-D design software) to help them design solutions to solve real-world challenges. Students learn about documenting their project, solving problems, and communicating their solutions to their peers and members of the professional community of civil engineering and architecture. The course of study includes: the roles of civil engineers and architects; project planning; site planning; building design; and project documentation and presentation.

This course can be used in a Technology or Pre-Engineering sequence (PLTW) and can replace one credit of science or math, but not both. Students will take the college level final exam for college credit.

Aerospace Engineering (AE)
College Course Name: Aerospace Engineering (AE)
Full Year, 1 credit
Opportunity to earn 3 credits from St. Cloud State University
Prerequisite: IED, POE, DE, CEA or Trigonometry Math (10-12 only)
This course propels students’ learning in the fundamentals of atmospheric and space flight. As they explore the physics of flight, students bring the concepts to life by designing an airfoil, propulsion system, and rockets. They learn basic orbital mechanics using industry-standard software. They also explore robot systems through projects such as remotely operated vehicles. This course earns Regents credit, can be used in a Technology or Pre-engineering sequence (PLTW) and can replace one credit of science or math, but not both. *Students will take the college level final exam for college credit.

Digital Electronics (DE)
College Course Name: Digital Electronics (DE)
Full Year, 1 credit
Opportunity to earn 3 credits from Rochester Institute of Technology
Prerequisite: Introduction to Engineering Design/Drawing or Geometry Math (11-12 only)
DE is a course of study in applied digital logic. Students will be introduced to digital circuits found in video games, watches, calculators, digital cameras, and thousands of other devices. Students will study the application of digital logic and how digital devices are used to control automated equipment. The use of digital circuitry is present in virtually all aspects of our lives and it’s use is increasing rapidly. This course is similar to a first semester college course and is an important course of study for a student exploring a career in engineering or engineering technology. This course can be used in a Technology or Pre-engineering sequence (PLTW) and can replace one credit of science or math, but not both. *Students will take the college level final exam for college credit.

Engineering Design & Development (EDD)
College Course Name: Engineering Design & Development (EDD)
(not offered 2025-26)
Full Year, 1 credit
Opportunity to earn 3 credits from Rochester Institute of Technology
Prerequisite: 3 OR MORE PLTW COURSES (11, 12 grade only)
The knowledge and skills students acquire throughout PLTW Engineering come together in EDD as they identify an issue and then research, design, and test a solution, ultimately presenting their solution to a panel of engineers. Students apply the professional skills they have developed to document a design process to standards, completing EDD ready to take on any post-secondary program or career. This course earns Regents credit, can be used in a Technology or Pre-engineering sequence (PLTW) and can replace one credit of science or math, but not both. Students will take the college level final exam for college credit .

Other Technology Education Courses

Design and Drawing for Production (DDP)
Full Year, 1 credit
Is a one-unit, full year course, which emphasizes creative problem solving, design, and technical drawing. The course reflects the approach used in business and industry to develop new products. Students will develop solutions to various product design problems and proposed solutions are researched, sketched, refined and rendered as technical drawings. Basic elements of design and the six basic areas of technical drawing are covered. 2-Dimensional and 3-Dimensional drawings will be the primary forms of communication. This course will be taught in a laboratory setting providing access to tools and materials for individual, small group, and large group projects. DDP satisfies the one-unit cultural art/music graduation requirement. This course can be used in a Technology, Art or Drawing sequence, and can replace one credit of science or math, but not both. DDP is an excellent course for anyone interested in Designing, Engineering, Architecture or any other related career fields.

Woodworking
One Semester, 1/2 credit
Students will learn both basic and advanced joinery techniques utilized in cabinet making and gain an understanding of the structural integrity of a joint due to its design and the material it is made from. Students will then apply that knowledge into designing and actually building a project of their own choosing. Once projects (desk, end table, shelving unit, etc) are authorized by the teacher, students will use one of several CAD programs to create a scaled drawing of their project. Students will learn proper techniques and safety procedures to operate large power tools such as a table saw, radial arm saw, compound miter saw, drill press and a router to name a few.

Small Engines: Concepts & Theory to Application
One Semester, 1/2 credit
This is a classroom/hands-on style course designed to teach the concepts and theories behind any internal combustion engine although the engine we will be working on will be the Briggs & Stratton 6.5 HP CE9040 OHV engine. The classroom portion of this course will cover the following topics through the use of science and mathematics: Overall Engine Operations, Compression System, Fuel System, Governor System, Electrical System, Cooling and Lubrication System, Troubleshooting. The hands-on portion of the course will consist of the total disassembly of the CE9040 OHV engine, defining and measuring all the components, then rebuilding it to all the OEM specifications. When you are done, it must work!

Virtual High School – Technology

The following semester courses are also available through Virtual High School (VHS):
Technology/Tech Ed.
Advanced Web Design
Animation and Effects: Flash MX Basics
Blogs, Wikis, and Web Tools
Digital Literacy for a Digital Age
Technology and Multimedia
Web Design and Internet Research
Web Design: Artistry and Functionality