Project Lead The Way
PLTW ELEMENTARY
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65
percent of
scientists and
graduate students
in a 2010 study
stated that their
interest in science
began before middle
school
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Proven PLTW model, adapted for new
teachers and students
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It all comes together in a PLTW
classroom
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What makes a PLTW classroom different?
PLTW classrooms:
• Launch critical thinking
• Challenge students to make mistakes
• Integrate technology in the classroom
• Encourage teachers and students to learn
together
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What makes a PLTW classroom different?
The Design Process
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World-class curriculum
• Activity, project, problem-based
• Aligned to Common Core Math and English State
Standards and Next Generation Science Standards
• Allows for flexibility and customization
– Designed for Kindergarten to 5th grade
– Four modules per grade. Each module is ~10 hours.
• First module of each grade focuses on the design
process
• Integrates formative and summative assessments
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PLTW Elementary Pilot Modules
Working title
Aligned to grade standards
•
Structure and Function
Kindergarten
•
Pushes and Pulls
Kindergarten
•
Waves: Light and Sound
1st grade
•
Observing the Earth, Sun, Moon, and Stars
1st grade
•
Matter and Materials Science
2nd grade
•
Engineering Design: Dispersing Seeds
2nd grade
•
Motion and Stability: Science of Flight
3rd grade
•
Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions
3rd grade
•
Energy: Collisions
4th grade
•
Energy: Conversion
4th grade
•
Robotics: The Power of Automation
5th grade
•
Robotics: Challenge
5th grade
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Animal Rescue Activity
-Aligned to 3rd grade standards
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Paintbrush Design Activity
Aligned to Kindergarten standards
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Proven PLTW model, adapted for new
teachers
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High-Quality Professional Development
PLTW three-phased approach fully supports elementary STEM
teachers:
Readiness Training
–
–
On-demand and live-online
Focus on core knowledge/skill
Core Training
–
–
2.5 days in-person training
Focus on pedagogy and activity, project, problem-based learning
Ongoing Training
–
–
On-demand and live online by module
Focus on pedagogical-content knowledge by module
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Scalable, school-wide model for
Elementary Core Training
Trainers
Training
Location
PLTW
Master
Teachers
Lead
Teachers
PLTW
Teachers
PLTW
Indiana
Office
Affiliate
Partner
Site
District /
School
Site
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Join the PLTW network and get involved
• Go to the website
• http://www.pltw.org/our-programs/launch to follow
the PLTW Elementary pilot and learn program
updates
• Registration is open for Fall 2014
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Project Lead The Way
COMPUTER SCIENCE
ENGINEERING
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Computer Science Engineering
•
•
•
The course, falling within PLTW’s
Pathway to Engineering, is projectand problem-based, with students
working in teams to develop
computational thinking and solve
open-ended, practical problems
that occur in the real world.
The course aligns with the College
Board’s new CS Principles
framework.
The course is not a programming
language course; it aims instead to
develop computational thinking, to
generate excitement about the field
of computing, and to introduce
computational tools that foster
creativity.
Computer Science Engineering
Why should schools offer CSE?

A wide variety of careers are being revolutionized by
computation. An ability to express and understand algorithms
increases employability in any career path.

Consumers and citizens must increasingly grapple with social
and ethical issues addressed in the course.

National forecasts of job vacancies reveal huge demand for
computer specialists that far exceeds the number of students
entering the field.
Computer Science Engineering
What content is included in CSE?
Creation of graphical user interfaces in Scratch, App
Inventor, and Python
Relationships among Web languages, including
JavaScript, PHP, and SQL
Principles of cybersecurity and cyber hygiene
Development of apps for mobile devices
Automation of tasks in a variety of languages
Impact of CS on other fields (Impact in biology
developed in-depth)

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
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

Computer Science Engineering
What is the relationship to the other high school computer
science courses?
CSE covers the new AP Computer Science Principles
framework.
CSE will prepare students for the AP CSP exam when it is
released.
CSE is appropriate as a prerequisite for AP CS-Applications
CSE aims to boost enrollment in other secondary and postsecondary CS courses
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
Computer Science Engineering
CSE Units
Unit 1: Graphics
Computer Science
Students will engage problems requiring graphical response to user input. This unit will introduce
fundamental computer science concepts like iteration, objects, classes, events, and code efficiency.
It will emphasize computing as a creative endeavor. Students will use MIT’s Scratch programming
language and its extension Snap!, and be introduced to Python.
Unit 2: The Web
Web Design and Information Technology
Students will engage problems involving e-commerce and other Web-based interactions. This unit
will introduce code writing, networking concepts, privacy, and security. It will emphasize the effects
of computing on users and society. Students will use tools like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP to
create interactive Web pages, with a brief introduction to server-side scripting.
Computer Science Engineering
CSE Units
Unit 3: Data Mining
Information Science
Students will engage problems involving large sets of data and social networks. This unit will
introduce concepts in discrete mathematics, probability and association, and data visualization.
It will emphasize how computational thinking affects every discipline, as computational
thinking can put existing code to great use. Students will use databases of genetic information
and health records, will utilize a face-recognition API for Python, and will use MIT’s App
Inventor to develop an Android app.
Unit 4: Simulation
Software Engineering
Students will engage problems involving predictions based on computer models and develop
methodologies for handling large projects across large teams. This unit will further develop
concepts in discrete mathematics, and introduce chaos and fractals, computability, and artificial
intelligence. It will emphasize the power of computational thinking to create and answer new
questions. Students will use Python in this unit.
Computer Science Engineering
More information:
http://www.pltw.org/our-programs/computer-science
Learning Management System
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Learning Management System
• Why the change?
– Engagement was our goal.
– CHM files were not supported.
– We needed a cross platform delivery system.
– Real time updates and changes to our network.
– Encourage collaboration
– On Demand instruction
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Learning Management System
• Assessment
– Interactive rubrics
– Speedgrader App
– Multi-media Uploads
– End of Course Assessments
– Rostering Students
– Balanced Assessment Model
– Peer Critiques
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Learning Management System
• Professional Development
– On-going Training
– Just in time resources
– Video Resources
– Update trainings
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Learning Management System
• Professional Learning Communities
– Discussion threads for each activity and project
– Support and collaboration
– Teachers helping teachers
– Master teachers add support
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Learning Management System
• Access
– Different users
– Our curriculum can be accessed anywhere
– All platforms
– Embedded media and resources
– Teachers can give feedback remotely
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Learning Management System
• Electronic Portfolio
– Document student work
– Collect exemplar work
– Share student learning
– Use to showcase student accomplishments and
learning
– Capture what happens in your PLTW classroom
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Certification
• Program Quality
• Program Quality is an important aspect of any
PLTW program implementation, whether in its
early stages or well established. Program
Quality ensures fidelity of implementation, but
goes beyond that by building a spirit of
continuous improvement where schools and
partnership teams identify and employ
measures to enhance student outcomes.
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Certification
• The purpose of certification is to:
• Ensure implementation of a high-quality PLTW
program.
• Recognize exceptional implementations.
• Provide opportunities for college-level
recognition to eligible students.
• For state requirements on certification, please
contact your state leader.
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Certification
• The Future
– Levels of certification
– Basic certification will take place through the LMS
with audits of sites each year
– Special recognition to schools in specific areas
– Sites can offer three of the classes and still be
certified at the basic level
– Time to be certified will be on more of a set
timeline (with state reporting)
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Contact Info
Vic Dreier
314.502.7153
vdreier@pltw.org
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