CSU, Chico
November 15, 2007
Forging New Generations of Scientists,
Engineers and Technologists.
Duane Crum
California State Leader
Project Lead the Way
What is
Project Lead The Way?
PLTW is a not-for-profit
organization.
PLTW partners with public
schools, higher education
institutions and the private sector
to grow the nation’s technology
workforce.
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PLTW’s Three Keys to Success:
Curricula - Rigorous and Relevant
middle and high school engineering
courses (with college credit options) that
use problem-based learning. It’s free to
participants,
+…
Professional Development – Highquality, rigorous, continuing, and coursespecific teacher training,
+…
Counselor Conferences – Full-day
training on the program and courses.
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PLTW’s Curriculum:
Aligns key learning concepts to
national learning standards
Includes:
•
•
•
•
day-by-day lessons
support and enrichment activities
course vocabulary
instructional resources including
numerous PowerPoint presentations
• evaluation and assessment tools
aligned to the key concepts
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The Focus of PLTW is
Problem-Based Learning
Students do authentic real-world work and
may work in teams like real engineers.
Learning is contextual—not a disjointed
series of concepts.
Expectations are clearly articulated.
Activities and projects have predictable outcomes.
Problems have unpredictable results.
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PLTW Students Learn the Real World
Skills Required by Engineers:
Solve problems
Cope with “failure” and try again
Work in Teams
Listen and work in Teams
Analyze information
Manage Time to meet deadlines
Have fun while working hard
Communicate – verbally and in
writing
Conduct Research
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What Students do Well in PLTW?
The student who is:
Creative- Likes to design things.
In the upper 80% of their class
A hands-on learner.
An underachiever who might get
“hooked” by an interesting, projectbased class.
Interested in computers, science, or
technology.
Good in math and science.
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Why Do We Need
Scientists,
Technologists, &
Engineers?
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Why Do We Need Engineers?
Our Workforce Has Changed.
20% Skilled
20% Professional
60% Unskilled
1960
15% Unskilled
20% Professional
65% Skilled
2000
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Why Do We Need PLTW?
There are currently 1.3 M
engineering/engineering technology
jobs available in the U.S. without
trained people to fill them.
According to the Federal Government
we will need 15 million engineers and
technology workers by 2020.
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Are We Training the Engineers and
Technicians We Need?
14,000
Associate
Degrees
12,000
10,000
Bachelor
Degrees
8,000
6,000
2002
2000
1998
1996
1994
1992
1990
4,000
1988
# of Eng. Tech.
Degrees
16,000
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Science and Technology
in Our Society
Manufacturing
Development
Complex Design
Complex Analysis
Research
Test and Evaluation
Routine Design
Production
Operation, Service,
And Maintenance
Distribution and
Sales
Our colleges and universities are well aligned with this…
But how is this connected to high schools?
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Science and Technology
in Many High Schools:
Chemistry,
Physics, &
Biology
Wood shop,
Auto shop,
Machine shop
& Drafting
There is no Engineering!
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What Can We Do?
Make a small change in the culture of
American high schools by:
Strengthening the core academic
curricula,
(e.g. English, math, science, social
studies, etc.)
Adding a rigorous, technical,
standards-based program of study in
engineering and technology, leading
to jobs, trade schools, 2-year, 4-year
and post graduate degrees.
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PLTW COURSES
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Gateway to Technology
Design and Modeling
The Magic of Electrons
The Science of Technology
Automation and Robotics
Flight and Space
Five,
9-week
units
Under Development
Energy and Motion
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HS Engineering Program
Foundation Courses:
Introduction to Engineering Design
Principles of Engineering
Digital Electronics
Specialization Courses (HS offers 1 or more):
Computer Integrated Manufacturing
Civil Engineering/Architecture
Biotechnology
Aerospace Engineering
Note: Course program
requires college entrance
mathematics each year.
Capstone Course:
Engineering Design & Development
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Foundation Course:
Principles Of Engineering
A Hands-on, project-based
course that teaches:
Engineering as a Career
Materials Science
Structural Design
Applied Physics
Automation/Robotics
Embedded Processors
Drafting/Design
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Foundation Course:
Introduction To Engineering Design
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If you want someone to learn…
Teach them what they like.
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Foundation Course:
Digital Electronics
Design > Simulate > Prototype > Fabricate
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Specialization Course:
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Soils
Permits
Design
Structural Analysis
Cuban
Restaurant
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Civil Engineering & Architecture
Kearny Redesigns Their Classroom
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