PLTW Engineering

Taking STEM Education to a Whole New Level

Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is a nationally recognized provider of transformative and innovative STEM programs. Through their rigorous project-based curriculum in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science, students learn problem-solving strategies, critical and creative thinking, and how to communicate and collaborate. Our PLTW-trained faculty use a variety of innovative approaches when leading and teaching the engaging PLTW experience in their classrooms

An Innovative Approach to Teaching 21st Century Skills

Historically, science and math have been taught in isolation of one another. The project-based approach of the PLTW curriculum completely changes this previous approach by giving students a chance to apply what they know, identify a problem, find unique solutions, and lead their learning, rather than be passive recipients of information in a question-and-answer, right-or-wrong learning environment. When students understand how their education is relevant to their lives and future careers, they get excited, and that is why PLTW students are successful.

Engineering

Students in our Engineering curriculum engage in open-ended problem solving, learn and apply the engineering design process, and use the same industry-leading technology and software as are used in the world’s top companies. Students are immersed in design as they investigate topics such as sustainability, mechatronics, forces, structures, aerodynamics, digital electronics and circuit design, manufacturing, and the environment, which gives them an opportunity to learn about different engineering disciplines before beginning post-secondary education or careers.

From launching space explorations to delivering safe, clean water to communities, engineers find solutions to pressing problems and turn their ideas into reality. Engineering empowers students to step into the role of an engineer, adopt a problem-solving mindset, and make the leap from dreamers to doers. The program’s courses engage students in compelling, real-world challenges that help them become better collaborators and thinkers. Students take from the courses in-demand knowledge and skills they will use in high school and for the rest of their lives, on any career path they take.

Biomedical Sciences

The Archbishop Hannan - PLTW Biomedical Sciences program is a sequence of courses following the hands-on, real-world, problem-solving approach to learning. Students explore the concepts of human medicine and are introduced to bioinformatics, including mapping and analyzing DNA. Through activities, like dissecting a heart, students examine the processes, structures and interactions of the human body, often playing the role of biomedical professionals to solve mysteries. Think CSI meets ER. They also explore the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease working collaboratively to investigate and design innovative solutions for the health challenges of the 21st century such as fighting cancer with nanotechnology.

The rigorous and relevant four-course sequence allows students to investigate the roles of biomedical professionals as they study the concepts of human medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology, and public health. Students engage in activities like investigating the death of a fictional person to learn content in the context of real-world cases. They examine the structures and interactions of human body systems and explore the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, all while working collaboratively to understand and design solutions to the most pressing health challenges of today and the future.