"ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY" PROJECT LEAD THE WAY (PLTW)

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) was created to address the country’s need for more leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

In 1986, Richard Blais, chairman of the technology department in the Shenendehowa Central School District in Upstate New York, began offering pre-engineering and digital electronics classes to encourage students to study engineering. He developed a rigorous, relevant curriculum and paired it with a dynamic, interactive learning environment to produce more successful, confident and interested students. Based on the success of these classes, Blais partnered with Richard Liebich, whose family founded the Charitable Leadership Foundation (CLF), to establish PLTW.

In 1997, PLTW launched its “Pathway To Engineering” program in 12 New York State high schools. Over the next few years, a partnership with the High Schools That Work, initiative of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), brought PLTW programs to an additional 30 states.

Today, PLTW is the nation’s leading activities-, project-, and problem-based (APPB) program for middle and high school STEM education. More than 350,000 students are currently engaged in PLTW classes in nearly 4,000 schools all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Project Lead The Way website

Project Lead The Way at El Camino College is called "Engineering Technology." Exciting courses such as Principles of Engineering, Introduction to Engineering Design and Computer Integrated Manufacturing, provide relevant hands-on activities to stimulate interest and provide meaningful relevance and improve success in higher level Math and Science courses. For more details about the Engineering Technology program at El Camino College, Click here.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS - STEPS TO APPLY (Click Here)

Introduction Classes
The following are a sample of some of the introductory courses.

Engineering Technology 10
Principles of Engineering Technology

3 units; 2 hours lecture, 4 hours lab
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU

In this course, students will explore technology systems and engineering processes to learn how math, science, and technology impact our society. The topics introduced include the design process, communication and documentation, engineering systems, statics, properties of materials, quality assurance, materials testing, and engineering for reliability.

Engineering Technology 12
Introduction to Engineering Design

3 units; 2 hours lecture, 4 hours lab
Recommended Preparation: Environmental Technology 10
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU

In this course, students will gain a basic understanding of the design process used in engineering fields and the application of computer modeling software. Emphasis is placed on the design process, geometric relationships, visualization, technical sketching, modeling, model documentation, assemblies, and production processes.

 

Engineering Technology 14
Electronics for Engineering Technologists

3 units; 2 hours lecture, 4 hours lab
Recommended Preparation: Environmental Technology 10
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU

In this course, students are introduced to the application of electronics in engineering technology. The topics studied include safety, Ohm’s Law, engineering notation, DC circuits, capacitance, inductance, reactance, impedance, analog and digital waveforms, basic motors, number systems, logic gates, Boolean algebra, flip-flops, shift registers, and micro-processors. Techniques in computer simulation and electrical measurements will be stressed.

Engineering Technology 16
Computer Integrated Manufacturing

3 units; 2 hours lecture, 4 hours lab
Recommended Preparation: Environmental Technology 10 & 12
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU

This course covers the integration of engineering technology principles and automation in manufacturing environments. Students will create three-dimensional designs with modeling software and produce actual components of their designs on computer numerically controlled (CNC) machine tools. Additional topics covered include machine tool operations, simulations, rapid prototyping (RP), robotics, and manufacturing systems.

 

Engineering Technology 18
Engineering Design and Development

3 units; 2 hours lecture, 4 hours lab
Recommended Preparation: Environmental Technology 12, 14 and 16 with a minimum grade of C in prerequisite
Credit, degree applicable
Transfer CSU

In this capstone course, teams of students will work together to design and construct solutions to engineering problems. Emphasis will be placed on research methods, design problem statements, continuous improvement, cost analysis, prototyping, testing methods, project construction, and project presentation.

Contact for questions or for more information:

Career & Technical Education
Karen Latuner
(310) 660-3593 x3782
khess@elcamino.edu