Getting Started
at your School;
Recruiting Students
How do PLTW courses help in College?
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Currently there are a total of 58 students enrolled in MSOE programs
with PLTW experience.
 There are 14 sophomores and 44 freshmen
The average freshman GPA total for MSOE this past year was 2.85
 The average GPA for the PLTW freshmen students was 3.03
“Generally students enter MSOE and hit the rigor of the courses and
drop their grade point average somewhat from the beginning of their
college career and then they spend the next three years bringing that
average back up. The sophomore grade point average for last year was
2.99. This means that the PLTW freshmen have already out paced the
sophomores.”
On an average, 65-70% of entering freshmen at MSOE stay with their
declared major. The rest either transfer to another major, another
school, or drop out.
This year 100% of the 58 PLTW students have remained in the major
they had declared.
Sample Student Schedule
Grade 9
English
Social Studies
Math
Science
Foreign Language
Intro to Engineering Design
Physical Education
Grade 10
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
.5 unit
Grade 11
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
.5 unit
Grade 12
English
Social Studies
Math
Science
Digital Electronics
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
*Computer Integrated Manufacturing
1 unit
*Civil Engineer and Architecture
*Biotechnical Engineering
*Aerospace Engineering
Physical Education
English
Social Studies
Math
Science
Foreign Language
Principles of Engineering
Physical Education
1 unit
.5 unit
English
Social Studies
Math
Science
Engineering Design
and Development
Health
Physical Education
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
1 unit
.5 unit
.5 unit
Costs of the PLTW program
Middle School Cost based on 26 students
PLTW Module
Equipment &
Supplies
Consumables
Total
Design &
Modeling
$7577
$840
$8410
Automation &
Robotics
$5610
$0
$5610
Magic of
Electrons
$3315
$235
$3550
Science of
Technology
$2550
$272
$2822
Flight & Space
$3370
$763
$4133
High School Cost based on 20 students
PLTW Course
Equipment &
Supplies
Consumables Total
Intro to Engineering
$1111
$400
$1511
Digital Electronics
$6277
$50
$6327
Principles of Engineering
$17940
$222
$18162
Aerospace
$8964
$672
$9636
Computer Integrated
Manufacturing
$47180
$2058
$49238
Civil/Architecture
$3384
$33
$3417
Biotechnical
$6142
$1204
$7346
How to apply to the PLTW program
(Oct. 16th – Feb. 1st)
School District registers “Online”
- Quota for new schools in effect this year
- Register early!!!
(May 1)
School Agreement Signing Deadline
- Sample agreement at:
http://www.pltw.org/how-to-join/
(May 31)
Teachers take an Online assessment for the
course they plan to take during the 2008 STI
(July 6 – 18)
2008 Summer Training Institute at OIT
What’s in it for the
Teacher & Their School?
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Two-weeks of quality professional development
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Stipend, travel, lodging, food
Teachers take home a full-year of preengineering curriculum
Recruiting Students
Educational Pathway for Engineering
Source: derived from National Center for Education Statistics
UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENT RECRUITMENT
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Girls are taking high school science and
math courses at approximately the same
rate as boys
Girls and the people who influence them—
teachers, school counselors, parents, peers,
and the media—do not understand what a
career in engineering looks like and
therefore don’t consider it as a career
option.
UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENT RECRUITMENT
Issues to Address:
1.
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3.
4.
5.
6.
Poor elementary and secondary
preparation
Lack of resources in secondary education
Limited encouragement and role models
Social pressure
Limited financial resources
Negative environment on campus
Women in Engineering: Why do We Care?
 As a consequence of a lack of diversity [in engineering] we
pay an opportunity cost, a cost in designs not thought of, in
solutions not produced.
Dr. William Wulf, President National Academy of Engineering
 By the year 2050, 85% of the entrants into the
workforce will be people of color and women.
BostonWorks.com
 If we do not engage women and minorities in the
engineering enterprise, we are ignoring more than 50% of
America’s intellectual talent.
Susan Metz, WEPAN President
High School Girls’ Perception of Engineering
According to a recent study conducted by WGBH in Boston for the
American Society of Civil Engineers…….
“High school girls believe that engineering is for people who love math
and science. They don’t have an understanding of engineering, show an
interest or think it is for them. They perceive engineering as a
profession for men.”
“Current engineering messages portray engineering as challenging and
stress the importance of superior math and science abilities.”
Professional interests for high school girls hinge upon relevance.
High School Girls’ Perception of Engineering
Key Career Influencers of High School Girls
 Parents
 Peers
 Educators (teachers and guidance counselors)
 Media
Finding: Key career influencers are not familiar with how
to guide students toward engineering. Positive stories
about engineering are not being conveyed.
Source: Extraordinary Women Engineers Final Report, 2005
Challenge:
To Convert the Perception of Engineering
FROM THIS…….
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Nerd
Math and science geek
Must be brilliant
White male
Primarily works with machines
Communicates poorly
Boring
Rigid
TO THIS……
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Creative
Enjoys math and science
Likes to solve problems
Works in teams
Helps people
Improves the quality of life
Curious
UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENT RECRUITMENT
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Changing Perception of STEM Careers
A
fundamental shift in the way STEM
careers are portrayed.
 Don’t focus on process and challenges
 Focus on benefits and rewards as they
relate to career motivators
 Define STEM in terms of life goals
“YOU” Can Make a Big Difference!!
“My lab partner never let me do things with the equipment. He told
me I was better at writing than he was which was true. But, my
teacher made us switch (roles). That was good because I wouldn’t
have asked even though I wanted to.”
10th grade female
“I wouldn’t have even thought about engineering if my math teacher
didn’t give me the TWIST (engr. summer program) brochure. My
parents can’t believe it, but I’m going to major in engineering in
college.”
11th grade female
“I always worked hard and did pretty well in math and science, but
never thought I was smart enough to study engineering. I’m an
engineering major because my science teacher told me I could do it
and I’m doing amazingly well.”
College female sophomore
Sample
video
Rated E
(Everyone)
Need Additional Information?
OIT Web Site:
http://www.oit.edu/pltw
PLTW National Web Site:
http://www. pltw.org
Questions ??