Engineering Program (Project Lead the Way) Background:

 WGH’s engineering classes will teach the objectives outlined by Project Lead the Way (PLTW).  PLTW, established twelve years ago, is a nonprofit organization that offers an entire high school engineering program that is aligned to national learning standards.  They capture the hearts of students and prepare their minds by basing their coursework on rigor, relevance, and relationships.  They also ensure instructors are ready for the challenge by requiring extensive training and offering a strong nationwide network made up of teachers, universities, and professionals.  (Today, Project Lead the Way courses are offered in over 3,000 schools across the U.S., and the program is rapidly growing.)

Now that Global High is officially a PLTW certified school, there is an opportunity for PLTW students to apply for college credit if they maintain a specific average throughout the year and pass an end of the year college assessment.  Colleges vary in how they accept or recognize PLTW courses, but students from any PLTW certified high school may apply for transcripted college credit from many universities and all Texas community colleges (29 universities / colleges total). 

 *Approximately 68% of seniors in PLTW’s program plan to enroll in engineering or engineering tech post-secondary studies, compared to only 10% of seniors in traditional high school programs.

 Introduction to Engineering and Design (IED) Course Description

 WGH requires all entering freshman to take an introductory course to engineering, IED.  This course exposes our students to the different opportunities in engineering and teaches them problem solving skills, which are high in demand across all career fields.  Knowing how to approach problems is truly the best way to prepare our students for future challenges, technology, and opportunities that do not even exist right now in 2009.  IED students will also develop project management skills and learn the design process.  Working in teams will also strengthen their ability to successfully communicate, overcome “real world” challenges, and benefit from diversity.  The software package used, Autodesk Inventor, is a 3D software that will help prepare our students for the world of engineering while fostering their creativity and innovation.

 After completing IED, students will have the option to continue taking exciting engineering courses, such as Principles of Engineering, Digital Electronics, and Civil Engineering / Architecture.  (Aerospace Engineering and / or a capstone engineering design course will be added in the 2010 – 2011 school year.)  Description of these courses can be found on my website.

 Principles of Engineering (POE) Course Description

 In Principles of Engineering, students will explore technology systems and manufacturing processes.  They will gain a deeper understanding of engineering, problem solving, and project management.  In addition, POE students will learn many new concepts.  For example, they will be introduced to Physics (i.e. – Simple Machines, Statics, Dynamics, Vectors), Material Strength and Properties (i.e. - Stress, Strain), Trigonometry Concepts, Gears, Programming, and Digital Electronics.  Fischertechniks, hand tools, and several design applications provide a creative, hands-on environment.  This course is rigorous, helping prepare students for college and the global workforce!

Civil Engineering & Architecture (CEA) Course Description

The major focus of this course is a long-term project that involves the development of a local property site. As students learn about various aspects of civil engineering and architecture, they apply what they learn to the design and development of this property. The course provides freedom to the teacher and students to develop the property as a simulation or to students to model the real-world experiences that civil engineers and architects experience when developing property.  Students will use Rivet, which is a state of the art 3D design software package from AutoDesk, to help them design solutions, and industry professionals will visit the classroom to provide the students feedback on codes, design principles, and engineering systems. 

The course of study includes the roles of civil engineers and architects, project planning (site selection, regulations, and viability analysis etc.) and site planning (surveying, best use of space, easements, public ingress and egress, utilities, site grading, landscaping, water supply, wastewater management, etc.).  In addition, the students will explore building design and architecture (architectural styles, green design, sustainability, floor plans, energy systems, sections, elevations, schedules, mechanical design, electrical design, plumbing, etc).  Finally, structural engineering (roof systems, columns, beams, girders, foundations, etc.) is also included. 

Engineering Instructional Materials