Game Development is a game design course...and much more.  technical skills such as programming, graphic design, animation, testing and debugging will be taught in this course. Skills taught will be transferable to other STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) career paths.  Game Development will begin with drag and drop programming and advance to more complex projects that involve writing code.  The engineering problem solving cycle plays a large role with integrating physics and math principles into game functionality. After you have learned how to develop and program a game, you will investigate how to market an original game idea.

Criteria for Selection – None.

This course is an introduction to drafting and design for students interested in learning how engineering is done using CADD to communicate technical information. Autodesk software will be utilized on the PC platform. Programs used will include Autocad, Inventor, and REVIT. Students will learn techniques of drawing, dimensioning, modeling, and symbol use. Areas of engineering addressed will include mechanical, architecture, structural, and civil. Both 2D and 3D modeling will be taught, including rendering (color, shadowing, and animation of drawings). Students will learn about the materials used in manufacturing, the machines and methods of manufacturing, and related careers.

Criteria for Selection – None.

Advanced use of CADD (Computer Aided Drawing and Design) software, a CNC (Computer Numerical Controlled) Router, a Laser Engraver and 3D printer will be used to aide in the design and development of individual products. This course continues the study of wood, woodworking machines, and hand tools, but at an advanced level. Students become more independent in the development, design, and engineering of class products.

Criteria for Selection – Successful completion of Manufacturing 1.

This course is an introduction to electricity/electronics designed for students interested in learning how electricity can be safe and exciting. Students learn about electronic components and how they are used to design and assemble light and sound controlled circuits. Students will then construct their own printed circuit board of a burglar alarm with different sensor switches. Soldering wires, solid state components, using digital meters, and operating power supplies for testing circuits are just a few of the hands-on activities in this course. How electricity is used in the home will be introduced through floor plans and the wiring of basic house circuits.

Criteria for Selection – None.

Digital Electronics is the study of electronic circuits that are used to process and control digital signals. Digital electronics allows for greater signal speed and storage capabilities and has revolutionized the world of electron-ics. The major focus of the DE course is to expose student to the design process of combinational and sequential logic design, teamwork, communication
methods, engineering standards, and technical documentation. Utilizing the activity-project/problem based (APB) teaching and learning pedagogy, students will analyze, design, and build digital electronic circuits. While implementing these designs, students will continually hone their professional skills, creative abilities, and understanding of the circuit design process.

Recommendation - Successful completion of Honors Intro to Engineering Design (#9703).

Principles of Engineering exposes students to some of the major concepts that they will encounter in a postsecondary engineering course.  Through problems that engage and challenge, students explore a broad range of engineering topics, including mechanisms, the strength of materials and structures, automation, and kinematics. This course applies and concurrently develops secondary level knowledge and skills in mathematics, science, and technology. Students have the opportunity to develop skills and understanding of course concepts through activity, project, and problem-based (APB) learning. By solving rigorous and relevant design problems using engineering and science concepts within a collaborative learning environment, APB learning challenges students to continually home their interpersonal skills, creative abilities, and problem solving skills. Students will also learn how to document their work and communicate their solutions to their peers and members of the professional community. It also allows students to develop strategies to enable and direct their own learning.

Recommendation - Successful completion of Honors Intro to Engineering Design (#9703).

Computer Integrated Manufacturing deepens the skills and knowledge of an engineering student within the context of efficiently creating the products all around us. Students build upon their Computer Aided Design & Drawing (CADD) experience through the use of Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software. CAM is used to convert a digital design into a program that a Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machine can understand. The CNC machine then transforms raw material into a product that was designed by a student. Students learn and apply concepts related to integrated robotic systems such as Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) and robotic arms into manufacturing systems.

Recommendation - Successful completion of Honors Intro to Engineering Design (#9703).

Civil Engineering and Architecture (CEA) is a high school level specialization course in the PLTW Engineering Program. In CEA students are introduced to important aspects of building and site design and development. Students will apply math, science, and standard engineering practices to design both residential and commercial projects and document their work using 3-D architectural design software (REVIT). Students will progress from completing structured activities to solving open ended projects and problems that require them to develop planning, documentation, communication, and other professional skills.

Recommendation - Successful completion of Honors Intro to Engineering Design (#9703).

Engineering Design and Development (EDD) is the capstone course in the PLTW high school engineering program. It is an open-ended engineering research course in which students work in teams to design and develop an original solution to a well-defined and justified open-ended problem by applying an engineering design process. Students will perform research to select, define, and justify a problem. After carefully defining the design requirements, teams of students create, and test their solution prototype. Student teams will present and defend their original solution to an outside panel. While progressing through the engineering design process, students will work closely with experts and will continually hone their organizational, communication and interpersonal skills, their creative and problem-solving abilities, and their understanding of the design process. Key concepts covered in this course include, but not limited to: Project Management, Documentation, Teamwork, Intellectual Property Management, Prototyping, and Evaluating and presenting a project.

Recommendation - Successful completion of Honors Intro to Engineering Design (#9703).