Engineering

Introduction to Engineering Design - "Engineers make a world of difference!"

Keeping this principle at its heart, the "Introduction to Engineering Design" (IED) course, a foundational module in the PLTW Engineering Program, provides high school students with a comprehensive immersion into the universe of engineering. As students embark on this journey, they are introduced to the structured yet expansive engineering design process. Seamlessly interweaving math, science, and engineering standards, IED equips learners to identify and devise solutions for a plethora of real-world problems.

Both as independent thinkers and within collaborative teams, students harness the power of engineering notebooks and advanced 3D modeling software to meticulously document their design breakthroughs. The course adopts the activity-project-problem-based (APB) teaching and learning methodology, guiding students from structured activities to open-ended projects and problems. This approach not only hones their analytical skills but also necessitates meticulous planning, effective communication, and the cultivation of various professional aptitudes. Emphasizing systems thinking, the curriculum delves into diverse facets of engineering design - from material selection, human-centered design, to sustainability considerations.

Students gain mastery over technical representation, especially through 3D computer modeling via Computer Aided Design (CAD) applications. A highlight of the learning experience is the creation of precise 3D-printed engineering prototypes through additive manufacturing processes, bringing their theoretical knowledge to tangible life. This design journey is complemented by student-developed testing protocols, which inform iterative design enhancements. IED goes beyond just design; students are introduced to computational methods, developing algorithms, executing statistical analyses, and crafting mathematical models, all of which play a pivotal role in informed design decisions. Additionally, the course instills professional engineering practices such as project management, peer reviews, and environmental impact analysis. As they collaborate, students also confront and discuss ethical dilemmas related to professional practice and product development. "Are you ready to design the future?" With IED, students are not only ready but equipped and inspired.

* Meets UC A-G requirements (G) All engineering classes are A-G approved.

Benefits of the Program:

Apart from the academic enrichment, students will:

• Cultivate a methodical and analytical approach to addressing challenges.
• Gain experiential learning through laboratory sessions and innovative mini-projects.
• Collaborate effectively within team environments, simulating real-world engineering scenarios.
• Engage and network with industry professionals via guest lectures and industry visits, providing insights into the dynamic world of engineering.

Through this program, students are not only provided with the knowledge and skills needed for a successful engineering career but are also inspired to be future innovators, thinkers, and leaders in their chosen fields.

Principles of Engineering: Shaping Visionaries, Building Tomorrow.

Dive deep into the transformative realm of engineering and discover how modern-day innovators are reshaping the world. From breakthroughs in product design, robotics, and mechanical design to advancements in infrastructure and sustainability, understand the multifaceted nature of engineering. Embrace the foundational principles and the pioneering tools such as robotics, 3-D modeling, programming, and prototyping that are driving contemporary engineering solutions and shaping our tomorrow.

"Principles of Engineering" is a comprehensive, full-year course, meticulously designed as a subsequent exposure to the PLTW Engineering program for high school students in grades 9-12. It offers a panoramic view of diverse engineering disciplines, shedding light on potential careers and presenting students with real-world challenges that demand innovative solutions. Beyond mere theory, the course empowers learners with tangible technical proficiencies. Harness the potential of advanced 3-D modeling software, delve into the world of robotics with hands-on hardware, prototype your visionary ideas, and breathe life into your solutions using state-of-the-art programming software.

Guided by the engineering design process, students will confront and address challenges across a spectrum of engineering fields, including mechanical, robotics, infrastructure, environmental sustainability, and product design. Embracing PLTW's signature activity-, project-, problem-based (APB) teaching methodology, learners transition from guided activities to open-ended projects. This progression fosters the cultivation of essential skills - from detailed technical documentation to sought-after competencies like critical thinking, effective communication, collaborative teamwork, and ethical decision-making. This ethical dimension is emphasized, urging students to reflect on the broader implications of their engineering solutions.

Through a blend of individual endeavors and team-based projects, students will immerse themselves in standard engineering protocols, spanning experimental design, rigorous testing, proficient project management, and constructive peer review.

While the course is intensive, providing a wealth of content, its primary objective is to ignite a passion for engineering in students, broadening their horizons, emphasizing the profound impact of engineering on society, and instilling a comprehensive understanding of its practices and implications. Embark on this journey and witness the world of engineering unfold.

* Meets UC A-G requirements (G) All engineering classes are A-G approved.

Digital Electronics: Illuminating the World of Circuit Design

Unveil the captivating realm of electronics and delve into the intricacies of circuit design. Digital electronics, the linchpin of contemporary devices like smartphones, MP3 players, laptops, digital cameras, and high-definition televisions, serves as the bedrock of our digital age. Through this course, students will master the art of digital circuit design, crafting solutions that have the potential to enhance daily life.

The transformative power of foundational electronic components and digital circuitry has reshaped our world. Unlike its analog counterpart, which relies on continuously varying voltages, digital electronics harnesses two distinct voltage or logic levels. This stark contrast facilitates accelerated signal speeds and expansive storage capabilities, marking a monumental shift in the electronics domain.

Central to the "Digital Electronics (DE)" course is an introduction to the design intricacies of both combinational and sequential logic. Emphasizing teamwork, effective communication, adherence to engineering standards, and meticulous technical documentation, the curriculum employs the dynamic activity-project-problem-based (APB) pedagogical approach. Here, students not only conceptualize but actively design and construct digital electronic circuits, honing their professional acumen, nurturing creativity, and deepening their grasp of the design process.

Tailored for high school students, particularly those in the 11th or 12th grade with a zest for electronics, "Digital Electronics (DE)" assumes no prior knowledge, making it accessible to all. Its only prerequisite is concurrent enrollment in college preparatory math and science courses. The course unfolds in meticulously crafted units, replete with student-ready handouts, invaluable teacher notes, planning resources, and a plethora of supplementary materials like simulations, instructional videos, and pertinent online resources.

While rudimentary circuit knowledge might be familiar to some from prior science courses, "Digital Electronics" offers a fresh and profound experience. Its singular focus on fostering a robust understanding and implementation of circuit design skills sets it apart. Though the course moves at a brisk pace and brims with rich content, its primary aspiration is to ignite a fervent passion for the intricate world of electronics and circuit design in each student. Embark on this journey and decode the digital wonders that power our world.

Digital Electronics Website

Digital Electronics Website

* Meets UC A-G requirements (G) All engineering classes are A-G approved.

Engineering Design and Development (EDD): Crafting Tomorrow's Innovators

In the culminating course of the PLTW high school engineering program, "Engineering Design and Development (EDD)," students' accumulated knowledge and skills from preceding courses converge. They embark on an intellectual journey, identifying a pertinent issue and navigating the entire spectrum of solution creation—from research and design to testing and validation. The culmination is a compelling presentation of their solution to a discerning panel of professional engineers. Students seamlessly integrate the professional acumen they've nurtured, documenting their design journey to industry standards, thereby priming themselves for both higher education and their subsequent careers.

"Engineering Design and Development" is the crown jewel of the PLTW curriculum, designed as a research-intensive, open-ended exploration of engineering challenges. Within this course, students, collaborating in teams, endeavor to craft innovative solutions to well-articulated, justified challenges through the application of a rigorous engineering design process. Their journey spans from comprehensive research, through which they identify and define a problem, to the eventual prototyping and testing of their innovative solutions. This experiential learning process culminates in a compelling presentation and defense of their groundbreaking solutions before an external panel of experts. Throughout this transformative experience, students regularly interact with professionals, sharpening their organizational, communicative, and interpersonal competencies, fueling their creative instincts, honing problem-solving prowess, and deepening their grasp of the design landscape.

Designed primarily for 12th-grade students, "Engineering Design and Development" transcends traditional boundaries, making it an invaluable experience for students eyeing any technical trajectory. As the capstone of the PLTW series, EDD necessitates a foundational understanding from prior PLTW courses, ensuring students apply their comprehensive learning to real-world challenges. The course's curriculum envelops:

• Mastery of Engineering Design Processes
• Expertise in Project Management
• Proficiency in Documenting Engineering Designs
• Enhancement of Teamwork & Professional Skills
• Techniques of Problem Identification & Justification
• Advanced Research Methodologies
• Exploration of Intellectual Property Rights
• Crafting of Design Requirements & Project Proposals
• In-depth Design Modules
• Techniques for Virtual Design & Testing
• Insights into Preliminary Design Reviews
• The Art of Prototyping
• Rigorous Testing Protocols
• Mastery in Presentation & Result Analysis

The foundation of this course aligns immaculately with the Engineering Design Process Portfolio Rubric, urging students to structure their portfolios cohesively, adhering to the rubric's specified components and elements. Join us in EDD, where tomorrow's innovators are shaped today.

* Meets UC A-G requirements (G) All engineering classes are A-G approved.