Do I have to be good with technology to take Project Lead the Way?
Not at all. I have students who succeed without significant experience with desktop computers. All you need is an interest and willingness to learn.
You will learn about what it means to be an engineer, a method for designing projects more efficiently, and taking measurements. When that is done, we can begin looking at how to design objects, both sketching them on paper and in a 3D modeling program. Once lessons about designing are done, we move into robotics. This will teach you how to build and program basic robots.
I do not know if I like engineering. Can I still take the class?
Absolutely. This class is designed to give you an introduction to engineering, even if you are not familiar with the subject. It will involve some math and science, but nothing that a middle school student should not already know or be learning in their other classes. Please note, 7th graders learn more of the introductory material, while 8th graders continue with more advanced work. You will have a small disadvantage if you have not taken 7th grade PLTW, but you can still be successful.
If I enjoy what I am learning, do you have anything else I can explore at home?
Yes I do. Check out the Resources page and find the tiles in the upper right. Between the "PLTW" tile and "Game Design" tile, there are some resources for learning about coding, game design, and additional 3D modeling tools. Also check out the Work is Done tab to find some other fun activities.
Is Project Lead the Way offered at the high schools?
Yes, all three high schools in St. Joseph School District offer PLTW classes. As a Freshman, you can take either the Intro to Engineering or the Biomedical Science class. Check out each school's course catalog to find out what is offered throughout all four years.
Why are there not as many grades in the gradebook as my other classes?
The lessons in PLTW are initially designed to take several days to complete. Some of them are parts of a larger project. Since our class only meets every other day, a lesson that is designed to only take four days can take two weeks for us. This can result in less grades. This year, I am attempting to incorporate more smaller tasks to put into our lessons that will allow more grades to be entered.
PLTW used specialized software that will not be on your Chromebook. There might be opportunities where having a second screen is helpful, but not needed. Your Chromebooks should stay closed unless I’ve told you otherwise.
Do you give a lot of homework?
You may not see a lot of homework in my class. When we work on projects, some of the work can be done at home and doing so can help you get done faster and give you more time to make your project even better than if you just work on it during class.
Are there any opportunities to work on the computers outside of class?
If you have work to finish that requires the use of a lab computer, please come see me to make arrangements to stay after school or come in before school. You will be responsible for planning how you will get home and making arrangements with parents if you stay after school.
What should I do if I miss class because (insert reason)?
If you are absent for any reason, it is your responsibility to come get anything you missed. If you know you will be absent ahead of time, you may come find me and I might be able to give you work in advance so that you can keep up with your classmates.
If I do poorly on an assignment, can I redo it to earn a better grade?
You are allowed to redo assignments if you feel a second chance is needed. It will be regraded completely, so the whole assignment needs to be redone, not just the part the incorrect portions. Resubmitted work still needs to be completed before the end of the quarter.
Do you offer any Extra Credit?
We’ll see. Do not wait until your grade is low to earn Extra Credit. Earn it if the opportunity is given. Never rely on extra credit to fix your grade. Do the work right the first time and you’ll never need to worry about finding extra work to raise your grade.
I have an assignment I need to finish for another class. Can I work on it in PLTW?
Only if you have all your work done for me.
My son/daughter is taking PLTW. How can I support them?
Students in PLTW will not have a lot of homework due to the equipment and technology demands of the program. That does not mean there is nothing to do at home. Bookmark this site's daily agenda to see what they are doing on any given day. If you have questions, feel free to contact me (my email is at the top of this list). There is also a lot more team-based work, so students need to be reminded that teamwork is important. Most of the things that can be done at home include reviewing what they have learned, completing worksheets, and preparing design sketches. A lot of the actual work given to students will be done digitally. Check out the Parent Info page for more detailed information.