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Engineering Concepts in Technology Education - including Principles of Engineering courses and Project Lead the Way (PLTW) - History, Status, Trend, Advantages, Limitations

Richard Blais – The founder of Project Lead the Way

Introduction

Engineering has played a considerable roll in the technology education field for the past few years. It has filtered into our high school programs in many different ways. Complete courses and curriculums are devoted to engineering concepts. There are also courses offered in high schools where engineering topics are covered minimally. With the job force in the United States moving towards an informational age, high school technology courses are being designed with the same focus. One way that our schools are being influenced by the conversion to a more informational age is by implementing different engineering courses as stated above. Teaching engineering principles and concepts is one way that we as technology educators can help our students make the transition into the informational age. Some courses taught in the middle school and high schools are Principles of Engineering and the newly introduced curriculum of Project Lead the Way which is much more comprehensive.

Project Lead the Way

This curriculum was developed to help middle schools as well as high schools implement a more sophisticated program. This program is called Project Lead the Way. Project Lead the Way is an engineering based curriculum that gives technology students a taste of what the engineering field is all about. Project Lead the Way was first developed in the 1980's by Richard Blais who was then chairman of the Technology Department of a school district in upstate New York (Project Lead the Way 1999-2003). Mr. Blais worked with numerous people at different levels of education to develop and implement this program. He worked with different representatives from the state as well as representatives from the higher educational communities (Project Lead the Way September 1999-2003). Mr. Blais and his staff began to develop and revise the program and its curriculum to ensure it met all of their goals. The program takes four years to complete and it is comprised of five courses. The curicculum is based mainly on engineering concepts. The courses are Introduction To Engineering Design (Design and Drawing For Production, NYS), digital Electronics, Principles of Engineering, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, and Engineering Design And Development. When they were done with developing the program the team fielded tested it to determine whether it met the predetermined goals.

“Project Lead the Way,PLTW, has developed a four year sequence of courses which, when combined with traditional 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, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Principles of Engineering, and 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” (Senecal, 2003, p. 8)

The courses incorporate the different skills that one would need in the engineering and engineering technologies fields. Blais and his staff used the newest equipment and software that they could find in order to test this program. They found that by taking these courses students would be better prepared for engineering and technical courses they would be taking in college.

“The PLTW graduate will be 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” (author, year, p. ) Project Lead the Way 1999 – 2003).

Mr. Blais and his staff put together a Technology Advisory Board when the development and testing began. This advisory board was charged to watch over and enhance the program.

Status of PLTW

In the late 1980’s and the early 1990’s Blais and his staff field tested PLTW. The schools that field-tested the program were only middle schools. Mr. Blais and staff made a few reversions and published it for school to use. There were only 12 schools in the country that picked up the curriculum and implemented during the first year. The PLTW curriculum was first introduced to high schools in the 1997 - 98 school year. The program finally caught on in the 2000 - 2001 school year when the number of schools using the program went from 12 to over 300 schools in more than 25 states. Each year the program is gaining more and more momentum. Schools from all around the country are picking up the program and loving it. PLTW is becoming a very successful program that is being implemented all around the country.

Advantages of PLTW

One major advantage of PLTW is that the curriculum is written for the teachers. The school is given all of the materials necessary to teach all of the courses after registering to purchase the program and curriculum. This ensures the district’s curriculum coordinator that a consistent program is offered to all students. Also, the educators that teach the course know exactly what to emphasis in the classroom. All teachers that are scheduled to teach one of the courses offered in PLTW are required to attend a training session at RIT. Thetraining at RIT provided the insights and tools necessary to be successful in the classroom. Each course has its own training session. When the teachers leave the training, they are more than prepared to teach the course. One advantage for larger schools is that if your Technology Department has sufficient staff then the department can offer the traditional technology classes as well as PLTW courses. In an interview with Oneida High School Technology teacher Timothy L. Kohlbernner who has been involved with PLTW since 1999 says, “ It not only serves students interest in engineering but helps prepare students for a variety of technical career fields”. He also stated that “Content of the pre-engineering sequence can help prepare students for a wide variety of college and technical programs” (Senecal, 2003, p. 8).

PLTW Limitations

Limitations of Project Lead the Way are what make this program very controversial. Many professionals believe this program only appeals to advanced students. Not every student wants to become an engineer or is capable of an engineering career. Many educators feel that this program is too difficult for the calibur of student that traditionally participates in the technology programs around the country. Kohlbrenner says, “ No program can meet the needs of every student” (Senecal, 2003, p.8). The cost of the program is another obstacle for school districts. It costs $50,000 to adopt the program and most schools can’t afford that kind of money (Senecal, 2003, p. 9). If a smaller school district wanted to implement PLTW, then it might not be able to offer the traditional technology courses. Limited staff and budget constraints would make implementation of both traditional and PLTW courses virtually impossible. “If such programs are adopted by distracts to replace existing Technology education programs, they are reducing the options available to students (WEBSITE Senecal, September 2003).

Trends Of Engineering Concepts in Schools

The past trend was that technology and engineering courses were taught separatel. However, at the June 1992 Symposium on Critical Issues in Technology Education, a group of leaders reviewed the technology field. One major question that they addressed was “How do we gain broad based recognition and societal support in the curriculum. What needs to be accomplished to secure a foundation for the field?” (Bensen, 1992, p. 2). This group of professionals concluded that in fact engineering and technology should not be two separate fields of study. They should be combined to form a single discipline. “Society makes references to engineering and technology in the same connotation and there are multiple levels and types of education and human endevores within this board and dynamic field of study” (Bensen, 1992, p. 2). The Project Lead the Way program has been adopted by some districts to meet this new goal.

Conclusion

School Districts in the PLTW Network implement the 5 course sequence based on a plan developed in partnership with colleges and universities, operate a Partnership Team with members drawn from higher education and the private sector, and serve as a model for other school districts. Colleges and universities provide strateg
Engineering comprises men and women who work in aerospace, biomedical, chemicals, construction, computers, energy, manufacturing, and many other fields that require people to create products, facilities, and structures.

Professional Engineers (PEs) have fulfilled the rigorous education, examination, and experience requirements, which, under state licensure laws, permit them to offer engineering services to the public. Although engineering licensure laws vary from state to state, in general, to become a PE an individual must be a graduate of an engineering program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, gain four years of experience as an intern, and then pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam. PEs take legal responsibility for their engineering designs, being bound by a code of ethics to protect public health and safety.

States. Professional Engineers (PEs) have fulfilled the rigorous education, examination, and experience requirements, which, under state licensure laws, permit them to offer engineering services to the public. Although engineering licensure laws vary from state to state, in general, to become a PE an individual must be a graduate of an engineering program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, gain four years of experience as an intern, and then pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam. PEs take legal responsibility for their engineering designs, being bound by a code of ethics to protect public health and safety.

Project Lead The Way Inc. (PLTW) is a national program forming partnerships among Public Schools, Higher Education Institutions and the Private Sector to increase the quantity and quality of engineers and engineering technologists graduating from our educational system. The program is partially funded by Charitable Venture Foundation, a private foundation located in Clifton Park, New York. PLTW has a support staff of experienced technology educators and college and university partners to support schools as they implement PLTW curricula.

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 (Design and Drawing For Production, NYS)
  • Digital Electronics
  • Principles of Engineering
  • Computer Integrated Manufacturing

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.

PLTW has a comprehensive organizational structure in place to ensure continued participation and success. Key elements provide support at every level of the program. PLTW provides local, state and national organization for leadership and support, a model curriculum, teacher training and development, and consulting services.

The participating School Districts implement the 5 course sequence based on a plan developed in partnership with colleges and universities, operate a Partnership Team with members drawn from higher education and the private sector and serve as models for other school districts. Colleges and universities provide strategic regional leadership, involve industry, and assist school districts to achieve the goals of the program. School Partnering Teams advise and support the school districts in their operational plans.

A critical component of the Project Lead The Way program is its teacher training model. It was developed to provide the most intensive and comprehensive training to teachers becoming part of Project Lead The Way. The curriculum these teachers are required to teach utilizes cutting edge technology and software requiring specialized training. Significant attention is paid to assessing the teachers' readiness for training. If necessary, teachers then receive readiness training provided by their schools to prepare them for the intensive core training provided during a Summer Training Institute at Rochester Institute of Technology and National Affiliate Training Centers throughout the United States. 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 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. Counselors are supplied with PLTW materials, including brochures and a video, to use with students and their parents.

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: Design and Modeling; The Magic of Electrons; The Science of Technology; Automation and Robotics. 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 To Print this page please set your margins to .25: File -> Page Setup ->left and right margins .25

Copyright; 1999 - 2003 Project Lead The Way Inc., Clifton Park NY. All rights reserved

How did the program begin?

A. Why is Project Lead The Way promoting engineering and engineering technology courses for high school students?

A. There is a critical shortage of engineers and engineering technologists entering the field at a time when technology is reinventing itself every few years. The number of job openings is increasing due to the expansion of jobs in the technical fields and the increasing numbers of engineers who are retiring.

What is the Mission of PLTW?

A. To forge a dynamic and on-going partnership among school districts, colleges and universities, and industry that will establish and support a pre-engineering education career cluster program in America's high schools, exciting students about engineering careers and strengthening traditional academic programs with hands-on learning experiences.

What are PLTW's Goals?

A. Project Lead The Way has the following stated goals:

  • Increase the number of young people who pursue engineering and engineering technology programs requiring a four or two-year college degree.
  • Provide clear standards and expectations for student success in the program.
  • Provide leadership and support that will produce continuous improvement and innovation in the program.
  • Provide equitable and inclusive opportunities for all academically qualified students without regard to gender or ethnic origin.
  • Reduce the future college attrition rates within four and two-year engineering and engineering technology degree programs.
  • Contribute to the continuance of America's national prosperity.

Which students would benefit from enrolling in a pre-engineering course?

A. Any student who is enrolled in a college preparatory math course is eligible for the PLTW pre-engineering program. Students who also have an interest in science and math should be encouraged to consider the program as a means of career exploration. Those who find the engineering program of interest can complete all 5 courses in the sequence to become fully prepared for a 2 or 4 year college program in engineering or engineering technology. Others will find out in high school that engineering is not for them and will have time to prepare for another career path.

What are the High School courses in the PLTW program?

A. There are 5 courses in the PLTW High School Pre-engineering Program, as follows:

  • Introduction to Engineering Design: A course that teaches problem-solving skills using a design development process for products.