Project Lead The Way!

[cmaccoy]

Originally Posted by SarahB

Our school is currently in the process of adopting the PLTW curriculum, starting with my class(class of 2005). I really enjoy the classes so far, but since we’re the guinea pigs we’ve encountered some problems with the teachers adjusting to the curriculum and not quite understanding what they needed to cover and what we already knew from other classes. We’re going through the classes in a slightly weird order though. We did IED in 9th grade, CIM and POE in 10th, then DE for 11th and EDD for 12th. Its not all that different though since we take Physics as sophomores.

And to monsieurcoffee, there’s a LOT more to CIM than MasterCAM. That program is pure evil, we only spent a week or two on it before our teacher decided there were better things to do in class.

MasterCam is defanatly NOT evil! i'm not trying to be mean but once you've worked with it for a year or so it is just as easy as well...typing up a post on this sight. i'm not trying to be mean but once you really understand it, its as easy as...well..posting on this sight. i happen to like the software but you can have your own opinion. And if you ever have another chance to learn MasterCam i'd take it because it really is a good and fun program.

[Tom Bottiglieri]

our school has had PLTW for 5 years. Im in DE now, and both years have been great. Plus, i get shiny RIT credit

[Sscamatt]

Yes, PLTW is awesome...I just got my report card in the mail from RIT...4 college credits that are transferable in freshman year of hs sounds good to me

[UCGL_Guy]

Question for this thread - We (476) are looking at proposing the integration of FIRST into a new PLTW group being set up in our VO Tech system here in Oklahoma. We are looking for ideas of what has worked and how this is done.
And also how well do the two integrate together.
Any information is appreciated.
email rather than posting if you prefer.
Ken

[Tom Bottiglieri]

Originally Posted by UCGL_Guy

Question for this thread - We (476) are looking at proposing the integration of FIRST into a new PLTW group being set up in our VO Tech system here in Oklahoma. We are looking for ideas of what has worked and how this is done.
And also how well do the two integrate together.
Any information is appreciated.
email rather than posting if you prefer.
Ken

Well PLTW and FIRST are very similar programs in that they both teach high school kids about engineering and try to get them to see whether they are interested in engineering or not. Our school does not combine FIRST and PLTW, but it seems like it could be every beneficial to both sides. In either program there may be students who are not interested in the other program.. such as students who are interested in engineering but not in robots, or interested in a robot team but not engineering, so you have to keep the progream exciting for them also and not engulf it with FIRST material.

But ya.. a few things i thought of that you can do are to
1) integrate FIRST material into the regular class schedule. in IED for example, instead of modeling, assembling, and driving a model train.. try a gearbox.
2) in the programable logic array section of DE, get into PIC's and how they work, and how to program them. If you do not know, the RC in the FIRST kit uses a PIC to run the user program and control the robot. Test the programs on the actual RC. Also, you can use the RC for a variety of projects the kids are working on.
3) CNC stuff for the robot in the CIM class.
4) Parallel path things that are being worked on in both programs.

just basic stuff like that.

For anyone whos PLTW program has been around for 4 years and has had seniors who have been through the whole program and have made their full year senior projects, you know that FIRST is very like pltw. The teachers always tell us how the senior project is very beneficial becuase you go through the whole design process.. from idea concepts to research to prototyping to final product. FIRST does the same thing. I think FIRST is a much better experience tho. But both of them together is great. Oh well i'll stop rambling.

[Hiteak]

My school does fallow the PLTW program, but some of the teachers dont explain things very well. It took about 2 weeks for my teacher to explain forces in POE, but my math teacher 20 minutes. FIRST explained everything that we did. It was alot easier to fallow everything in FIRST.

[colin340]

in my opinion pltw is great but may of the softwares so hard to use they often times put my computer life in danger

[Starke]

Originally Posted by colin340

in my opinion pltw is great but may of the softwares so hard to use they often times put my computer life in danger

its good to here from you giggles . i came from churchville which has project lead the way. i thought it was a great experience and is continuing to help me in college for my degree. what a great head start for some of the courses in college.

[Jon Jack]

Our school (High Tech High - San Diego) uses the PTLW curriculum. They offer POE for Juniors and EDD (Engineering Design and Development) for Seniors. Every student at our school must take a semester of POE in order to graduate.

As for the question of how to integrate FIRST and PLTW:

Every Senior member of Team 1538 that takes EDD (which at our school is a two-hour long class after lunch) works on FIRST or something that can be FIRST related.

During the pre-season students work on prototyping parts and up keeping tools and machinery. For example, one student developed a custom 2-Speed Transmission and gear box.

During the build season students work on designing and building our robot. Everything on our robot this year is custom except for the motors and wheels and it was all designed, machined/fabricated and built by students.

During the post-season students work on designing and prototyping parts and building the field for Battle at the Border.

[234smidget]

[quote=dez250]As the name states this thread is about PLTW the Pre-Engineering course for highschool, located out of Clifton Park, N.Y.
The questions i have are:
-whos heard of it?
-who has it in their school?
-what classes have you taken (if any)?
-also what experiance have you gotten from it?
-What would you say to others thinking about taking any of the classes?

Heres the website for PLTW http://www.pltw.org

~Mike[/QUOT

we have pltw at my high school(perry meridian high school) i have taken the first course but i am going to take courses next year too it has helped me alot and it does help in robotics because some of the team members has no experience with it so we who have taken the class can help also during robotic season at night when i have freetime i mess around with autodesk and it helps me work faster or understand better the next day when i have the class
i recommend this course especiall for future enigineers my teacher says college students are using the same software now so if you have this class now if will definitally help you when you get to college

[AndyB]

Originally Posted by dez250

As the name states this thread is about PLTW the Pre-Engineering course for highschool, located out of Clifton Park, N.Y.
The questions i have are:
-whos heard of it?
-who has it in their school?
-what classes have you taken (if any)?
-also what experiance have you gotten from it?
-What would you say to others thinking about taking any of the classes?

Heres the website for PLTW http://www.pltw.org

~Mike

-Introduction to Engineering and Design
-Principals of Engineering
-Was going to take Computer Integrated Manufacturing but they canceled it on us
-3D Modeling (dont remember if that was PLTW)
-Technical Drafting

From taking these classes (especially IED), i learned the Autodesk Inventor program and was able to complete an entry for this year's competition. From 3D modeling, i learned the 3D aspect of cad and learned some more visual thing that inventor offers. POE is an awesome class from what i hear (im taking it next year). They have made Rube Goldberg devices, mousetrap cars, and lots of cool interesting things. Technical Drafting really introduced me into drafting and taught me AutoCAD.

[1493kd]

I teach PLTW DDP and next year will be teaching Civil Eng. And Arch class...

I love teaching DDP, it is a great class and can give you valueable experience.. The point of the class is not to train you on a CAD program.. The point is to train you mind to problem solve, brainstorm, and use you imagination. (think outside the box)

Like any class the course can depend on how good a job the teacher does at inspiring the students.

Also
Many of my students did not select the course and were just placed in the class, but now I have a number of students really interested in a tech ed. and want to persue further options. If they never had the chance then who knows what they would have ended up doing.

I also have students that arnt your typical PLTW students. Students with 3rd and 4th grade reading levels who excel with CAD and have now found something that they can do which puts them on a level with their peers.

[Joohoo]

It is offered in my school. I've taken DDP, and currently POE. It is pretty fun, the only thing that i would like to see better is more hands on in POE. Although it may just be the fact that the Tech Dept. only has a budget of $5 per class .
I can see were DDP/IED can be a little boring for those who already know Autodesk, sketching and designing. Thats why it is designed to be a four year course and to start as a freshman.

[Hiteak]

Took DDP as freshman ( and was 1 of 3 to get college credit for it).
Taking POE and Digital Electronics now
Signed up for CIM next year.
I learned alot about drafting and elctronics in my DDP class and Digital class. Some of that really help our team this year because I was the major 3D drafting person on the team.
I would recommend everyone who has the chance to take it because it saves alot of money from college.

[Steve S.]

Originally Posted by dez250

OK lets put this back on track, anyone who has heard of or has interacted with the Project Lead The Way pre-engineering program for high school, please answer the following questions:
The questions i have are:
-who's heard of it?
-who has it in their school?
-what classes have you taken (if any)?
-also what experience have you gotten from it?
-What would you say to others thinking about taking any of the classes?


Anyone can chime in if they want to...

~Mike
Project Lead The Way Homepage

We have PLTW in our district. Ive taken DDT and taking CIMS this year. Overall its been great, although this year we haven't been able to use our mill because something is up with our air lines
Hopefully POE and Digital in senior year b/c of a full sch. next year

I would recommend getting into the PLTW Courses, its a great experience for the most part, although Ive heard different from people in other areas.......but anyways, definitely check into it.

And for those that dont have it, go to the tech dept and administration at your school and see what can be done to get involved....