1. Project Lead The Way Overview
Hello. My name is ___________ and I am excited to talk to you about Project Lead The Way today and the impact it can have on your school/district.

2. The workplace is rapidly changing …
54% of American companies have openings for which they cannot find qualified workers
STEM knowledge and skills are required in more and more “non-STEM” fields
In 2010, about 5 million U.S. workers were officially classified as having a science and engineering occupation. Yet 16.5 million college-educated individuals, including many working in sales, marketing, and management, say their jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree-level of science and engineering training.
When technical STEM workers are included, there may be as many as 26 million jobs in the United States that require significant STEM knowledge and skill in at least one field. This represents nearly 20% of all U.S. jobs.
Sources: Opportunities and Options: Making Career Preparation Work for Students. Washington, D.C.: The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), 2014.
Revisiting the STEM Workforce: A Companion to Science and Engineering Indicators Arlington, Virginia: the National Science Board (NSB), 2015.

3. How do we prepare students to thrive?
In order to address these challenges and move forward as a society, we need people who:
know problem-solving strategies
think critically and creatively
communicate and collaborate with others
persevere when something does not work the first time.
Evidence shows that companies are not finding workers with these skills, students need more opportunities to develop these skills, and teachers need support in empowering students to build these skills.
This is where PLTW excels.

4. Project Lead The Way is a nonprofit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for K-12 students and teachers across the U.S.
We engage students.
We create an immersive and engaging classroom environment.
Students find PLTW classrooms to be compelling and relevant.
We often hear from PLTW teachers that their students don’t want to leave when the bell rings because they are so engaged in what they’re working on.

5. Now, let me tell you more about Project Lead The Way.
Through our comprehensive K-12 pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science, students learn essential, in-demand skills such as:
Problem solving
Critical and creative thinking
Communication
Collaboration
Students of all grade levels are challenged in their PLTW classes and learn the importance of perseverance.
Examples of real-world activities K-12 students engage in through our computer science pathway:
Elementary: Students build digital animations based on their own short stories
Middle school: Students design mobile apps that help clients overcome obstacles
High school: Students use automation to process and analyze DNA-sequence data
This is a truly cross-disciplinary learning experience
All of these developmentally appropriate activities not only build computer science knowledge/skills, but also help students develop confidence and skills in other essential areas of study
In the examples above, students also experience:
Launch: English language arts
Gateway: professional and presentation skills
Computer Science: biomedical science

6. Since our founding in 1997, we have grown from a high school engineering program to a comprehensive K-12 pathway.
Today we have:
More than 9,000 programs in 8,000 schools
Schools in all 50 states plus D.C.
Trained thousands of teachers in activity-, project-, and problem-based instruction including more than 10,000 teachers in 2015 alone.

7. Our programs are:
Problem-Based
The Activity-, Project-, Problem-based (APB) instructional model is a cornerstone of the PLTW learning experience.
Using this approach, we scaffold knowledge:
Helping students build on their understanding and gain independence in the learning process
Providing opportunities for students to transfer knowledge
Engaging students as they apply their new learnings to a relevant problem
Research-Based
We follow Wiggins and McTighe’s approach, Understanding by Design®, to develop a cohesive instructional path for students.
Collaborative
We seek ongoing input and feedback from students, teachers, administrators, and subject matter experts
Our work is also informed by current research and experts in academics and industry
Members of our team bring industry and business experience to PLTW and influence the in-demand knowledge and skills we embed in our programs. This powerful combination of educators and industry and business professionals allows us to create a comprehensive experience that is unmatched.
Standards-Based: We take standards into account when building and updating our curriculum. Our flexible programs allow districts and schools to adapt the offerings to state and local requirements as needed.

8. PLTW Launch
PLTW Launch taps into K-5 students’ exploratory nature, engages them in learning that feels like play, and encourages them to keep discovering – now and for years to come.
Whether designing a robot that delivers supplies at a hospital or constructing a rescue method for a trapped zoo animal , students engage in critical and creative thinking, build teamwork skills, and learn to try and try again when faced with challenges.

9. PLTW Gateway
PLTW Gateway sparks a joy of discovery and illuminates the range of paths and possibilities students can look forward to in high school and beyond.
Tackling challenges like examining way to cut energy consumption, creating mobile apps that help clients overcome obstacles, and designing a home created from a reclaimed shipping container, students in grades 6-8 learn to test their limits and question what’s possible.

10. PLTW Gateway Overview Foundation Units Specialized Units
Design and Modeling
Automation and Robotics
Specialized Units
Energy and the Environment
Flight and Space
Green Architecture
Introduction to Computer Science 1
Introduction to Computer Science 2
Magic of Electrons
Medical Detectives
Science of Technology
PLTW Gateway is divided into independent, nine-week units, assuming a 45-minute class period.

11. PLTW Computer Science
PLTW Computer Science engages students in grades 9-12 in real-world activities like creating an online art portal or using automation to process and analyze DNA-sequence data.
These projects illustrate how intricately computer science is woven into our society, challenge students to think big, and transform students into builders of tech.

12. Course Development Timeline
Pilot
Full Release
Introduction to Computer Science
2015
Computer Science Principles
Computer Science Applications
Cybersecurity
Computational Problem Solving
One slide per course

13. PLTW Engineering
PLTW Engineering engages students in grades 9-12 in collaborative, real-world activities like designing a home, using a flight simulator to learn basic pilot skills, or exploring algae as a biofuel source.
By pushing themselves to rework and refine their projects, students learn that both failed attempts and perseverance are key to learning and innovation.

14. PLTW Engineering Course Structure
FOUNDATION
SPECIALIZATION
CAPSTONE
Introduction to Engineering Design
Principles of Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Civil Engineering & Architecture
Computer Integrated Manufacturing
Computer Science and Software Engineering
Digital Electronics
Environmental Sustainability
Engineering Design & Development

15. PLTW Biomedical Science
PLTW Biomedical Science students in grades 9-12 step into the roles of medical investigators, surgeons, and biomedical engineers.
The program’s collaborative, hands-on explorations inspire students to make an impact on the lives of those around them, while preparing them with the know-how and experience to make their ideas a reality.

16. PLTW Biomedical Science Overview
Foundation Courses
Principles of Biomedical Science
Human Body Systems
Medical Interventions
Capstone Course
Biomedical Innovation
Principles of Biomedical Science – In the introductory course of the PLTW Biomedical Science program, students explore concepts of biology and medicine to determine factors that led to the death of a fictional person. While investigating the case, students examine autopsy reports, investigate medical history, and explore medical treatments that might have prolonged the person’s life. The activities and projects introduce students to human physiology, basic biology, medicine, and research processes while allowing them to design their own experiments to solve problems.
Human Body Systems – Students examine the interactions of human body systems as they explore identity, power, movement, protection, and homeostasis. Exploring science in action, students build organs and tissues on a skeletal Maniken®; use data acquisition software to monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflex and voluntary action, and respiration; and take on the roles of biomedical professionals to solve real-world medical cases.
Medical Interventions – Students follow the life of a fictitious family as they investigate how to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Students explore how to detect and fight infection; screen and evaluate the code in human DNA; evaluate cancer treatment options; and prevail when the organs of the body begin to fail. Through real-world cases, students are exposed to a range of interventions related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices, and diagnostics.
Capstone Course: Biomedical Innovation – In the final course of the PLTW Biomedical Science sequence, students build on the knowledge and skills gained from previous courses to design innovative solutions for the most pressing health challenges of the 21st century. Students address topics ranging from public health and biomedical engineering to clinical medicine and physiology. They have the opportunity to work on an independent design project with a mentor or advisor from a university, medical facility, or research institution

17. Now that you’ve heard more about Project Lead The Way, I’m sure you have numerous questions and I am more than happy to answer all of them.
But, before we do that. I want to thank you for considering to bring PLTW into your school. I can promise you that it will be an experience that you will never forget and it will truly empower all individuals within your school.