DAVENPORT SCHOOLS PROJECT LEAD THE WAY ENGINEERING COURSES ACHIEVE CERTIFICATION

Project Lead the Way, an engineering and engineering technology career pathway for high school students, was launched last year in the Davenport Community Schools. Following an on-site visit this year by a multi-disciplinary team, the district’s Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum received full certification for this nationally recognized program.

Currently, more than 300 students across the district are enrolled in PLTW coursework. This certification now allows the district to offer college credit for some of the courses which include Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering, Digital Electronics, and soon to be added – Computer Integrated Manufacturing and Engineering Design and Development.

According to Betty Griffin, Coordinator of the district’s Technology Education and School to Work program, PLTW is specifically designed to prepare students for 2 or 4 year college degrees in engineering and technology-related careers. Utilizing technology equipment and industry-standard software, students produce real-world projects in a laboratory setting, she notes. Representatives from a number of local companies serve on an advisory board for the district’s PLTW program, helping to oversee curriculum development and providing a ‘real-world’ perspective.

Although open to all students, there is a decided effort to see more young women take part in the PLTW curriculum. With more than half of the country’s engineers and scientists nearing retirement, this can be a significant opportunity for young women to enter a growing and lucrative field, notes Mrs. Griffin. Participating in PTLW courses provides students important experience and hands-on success in a curriculum that can be challenging at the college-level, acting as a ‘jump start’ for both female and male students at the high school level.

PLTW courses are listed in the 2007-2008 course guides which are posted on the Davenport Community School’s website at www.davenportschools.org. Students in the district’s intermediate schools are encouraged to start talking with their guidance counselors about PLTW as students engage in the course registration process for the coming year.