Project Lead The Way!

[Amanda Morrison]

Originally posted by monsieurcoffee
No, in fact, I didn't take any PLTW courses officially after interviewing some of the people who had taken them when I was in 8th grade.

Originally posted by kristen
I seriously learned nothing in that class that I didn't easily teach myself.

I'm happy to see that such advanced students are involved with FIRST. However, many students do not have the advantage of going home and teaching themselves software, and many try to pick up skills that PLTW offers. PLTW was designed to help students interested in that type of career but have previously had little or no chance to learn or tinker around.

I do believe that PLTW wasn't meant to cater to everyone's engineering education, but rather to clue others into this field. While it appears that this program wasn't exactly the type that would help you personally, your comments really make it seem as though the class is a waste of time for everyone. I really think a lot of FIRSTers could benefit, but what you've said almost makes it look bad simply because it was below your skill level and for no other reason.

Originally posted by monsieurcoffee
My opinion still stands that the course is not a worthwhile pursuit for anyone doing robotics (considering how motivated and dedicated you have to be to work hard for 6 weeks) but may be for some people who have no engineering experience.

I consider myself a very dedicated and motivated person during the six week build period, and I try to work hard at what I do. Yet rarely do I ever even touch the robot, help plan, or do any machining. Your comment kind of hurts my feelings - as though I shouldn't be involved in this program because of my lack of engineering skills.

I wish you would reconsider that statement - apparently there are more people involved in FIRST than you happen to realize that haven't previously had any kind of experience with actual engineering yet (or maybe they choose to have it that way). I don't know if your class was taught within your high school by high school teachers, etc., or how different it will be from the program here taught by Purdue University. Considering what you've mentioned about your program, including playing games in the classroom and other such activities, it seems as though your program is a gross outcast from the norm. Everything that I've heard or seen about PLTW has been successful, and it sounds as though yours was a failure - a failure to inspire the students by using the curriculum.