Photo of a Drafting activity.

Photo of a Drafting activity.

Photo of a Drafting activity.

* Program costs subject to change

INDUSTRY CREDENTIALS

PLTW Engineering Logo

SIMULATED WORKPLACE LOGO

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Pre-Engineering

PLTW Pre-Engineering is a nationwide program for high school students created by the nonprofit organization Project Lead the Way. The engineering pathway is developed to help students learn technical skills, solve problems, think critically and creatively, communicate, and collaborate (PLTW website).

WHAT ARE THE CLASSES ABOUT?

The PLTW Pre-Engineering program at PCTC exposes students to Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering, along with Architectural studies. The program will introduce concepts that will help completers be prepared for 2-year and 4-year engineering programs of study in community colleges and/or universities.

WHAT SKILLS WILL STUDENTS LEARN?

  • Truss Analysis

  • VEX V5 robotic programming

  • CAD using Autodesk Fusion 360

  • Architectural drawings using Autodesk Revit

  • Digital electronics – Multisim; Tinkercad; circuit building

  • 3D modeling and prototyping

  • Laser cutting from Adobe Illustrator designs

WHAT CREDENTIALS ARE AVAILABLE?

  • FAA Drone License (based on scholarship availability)

  • Students will be eligible to sit for Autodesk Fusion 360 and Autodesk Revit certification exams if they elect to do so

WHAT POST-SECONDARY OPPORTUNITIES ARE AVAILABLE TO THE STUDENTS AFTER GRADUATION?

  • Marshall University, West Virginia State University, West Virginia University, and West Virginia University Institute of Technology all offer Bachelor’s of Science degrees in the University's College of Engineering schools

  • Mountwest Community and Technical College

    • Engineering Design Technology

    • Engineering Design Technology, Additive Manufacturing Concentration, Associate of Applied Science

  • Bridge Valley Community and Technical College

    • Civil Engineering Technology

    • Electrical Engineering Technology

    • Mechanical Engineering Technology

    • Highway Engineering Technology: WVDOH Construction Concentration, AAS

    • Highway Engineering Technology: WVDOH Bridge Inspection Concentration, AAS

WHAT WORK SKILLS WILL BE NEEDED FOR THESE JOBS?

  • Critical Thinker

  • Valid Driver’s License

  • Strong interest and skill in mathematics

  • Strong problem-solving skills

  • Strong communication and reading

  • Team player

WHAT SKILLS SHOULD A STUDENT HAVE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR PROGRAM?

Strong problem-solving skills
Strong interest and skill in mathematics
Students will need to be drug free

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Students should have general computer literacy skills. All PLTW course curriculum is online.
Marshall University requires an ACT Math Score of 21 for CHM 111.
Chemistry 111 is a prerequisite to CHM 211.

SIMULATED WORKPLACE REQUIREMENTS

This program participates in the Simulated Workplace environment. For details and requirements, click here

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

Students will be provided with any technology instruction, devices and software required. Students should have general computer literacy.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

Students may enroll in SkillsUSA.

PROGRAM LENGTH

2 Academic Years (22 months) – 1080 clock hours, consisting of eight (8), nine-week courses of 135 clock hours each

SCHEDULE OF COURSES

Course Frequency: Each course offered once each academic year

1ST YEAR SCHEDULE: MONDAY-FRIDAY 8:30AM – 11:00AM

  • 2463 Principles of Engineering (ENGR 280)

  • 6041 Physics (high school credit only)

  • 6031 Chemistry I (CHM 111)

  • 2461 Introduction to Engineering Design (ENGR 281)

2ND YEAR SCHEDULE: MONDAY – FRIDAY 12:30PM – 3:00PM

  • 6321 AP Chemistry (CHM 211)

  • 2466 Civil Engineering and Architecture

  • 2462 Digital Electronics

  • 2464 Engineering Design and Development

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

2463 Principles of Engineering*

(Marshall University dual credit option – ENGR 280)
Principles of Engineering is a component of the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) pre-engineering curriculum. This course will help students understand the field of engineering and engineering technology. Exploring various technology systems and manufacturing processes help students learn how engineers and technicians use math, science, and technology in an engineering problem solving process to benefit people. The course also includes concerns about social and political consequences of technological change. Students utilize problem-solving techniques and participate in hands-on activities to develop an understanding of course concepts.  Teachers should provide each student with real world learning opportunities and instruction. Students are encouraged to become active members of the student organizations, WV SkillsUSA or WV TSA (Technology Student Association). All West Virginia teachers are responsible for classroom instruction that integrates learning skills, technology tools, and skill sets.

 *This course will fulfill the requirement for a third science course graduation requirement.

6041 Physics

Physics is an advanced elective course designed for students pursuing Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) education and careers. The course emphasizes a mathematical approach to the topics of Forces and Interactions; Energy, and Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation and prepares student for college physics. The physics course prepares high school students to explain more in-depth phenomena central not only to the physical sciences, but to life and earth and space sciences, as well. These objectives blend the core ideas with scientific and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts to support students in developing useable knowledge to explain ideas across the science disciplines. There is a focus on several scientific practices which include developing and using models, planning and conducting investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, using mathematical and computational thinking, and constructing explanations. Students will use these practices to demonstrate understanding of the core ideas as well as demonstrate understanding of several engineering practices, including design and evaluation. Students will engage in active inquiries, investigations, and hands-on activities as they develop and demonstrate conceptual understandings and research and laboratory skills described in the objectives. Safety instruction is integrated in all activities, and students will implement safe procedures and practices when manipulating equipment, materials, organisms, and models.

6031 Chemistry

(Marshall University dual credit option – CHM 111)
Chemistry is an advanced elective course designed for students pursuing Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) education and careers.  Students will develop a deeper understanding of the core concepts of: Structure and Properties of Matter and Chemical Reactions as they prepare for college chemistry requiring a strong mathematical foundation. The chemistry course prepares high school students to explain more in-depth phenomena central not only to the physical sciences, but to life and earth and space sciences as well. The chemistry objectives blend the core ideas with scientific and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts to support students in developing useable knowledge to explain ideas across the science disciplines. There is a focus on several scientific practices which include developing and using models, planning and conducting investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, using mathematical and computational thinking, and constructing explanations. Students will use these practices to demonstrate understanding of the core ideas as well as demonstrate understanding of several engineering practices, including design and evaluation. Students will engage in active inquiries, investigations, and hands-on activities as they develop and demonstrate conceptual understandings and research and laboratory skills described in the objectives. Safety instruction is integrated in all activities, and students will implement safe procedures and practices when manipulating equipment, materials, organisms, and models.

2461 Introduction to Engineering Design

(Marshall University dual credit option – ENGR 281)
Introduction to Engineering Design is a component of the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) pre- engineering curriculum. This course teaches problem-solving skills using a design development process. Models of product solutions are created, analyzed, and communicated using solid modeling computer design software. Students utilize problem-solving techniques and participate in hands-on activities to develop an understanding of course concepts. Teachers should provide each student with real world learning opportunities and instruction. Students are encouraged to become active members of the student organizations, WV SkillsUSA or WV TSA (Technology Student Association). All West Virginia teachers are responsible for classroom instruction that integrates learning skills, technology tools, and skill sets.

6321 AP Chemistry

(Marshall University dual credit option – CHM 211)
The AP Chemistry course provides students with a college-level foundation to support future advanced coursework in chemistry. Students cultivate their understanding of chemistry through inquiry based investigations, as they explore content such as: atomic structure, intermolecular forces and bonding, chemical reactions, kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium. The AP Chemistry course is designed to be the equivalent of the general chemistry course usually taken during the first college year. (AP Chemistry Course Overview)

2466 Civil Engineering and Architecture

Civil Engineering and Architecture is a component of the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) pre- engineering curriculum. This course provides an overview of the fields of Civil Engineering and Architecture, while emphasizing the interrelationship and dependence of both fields on each other. Students use state of the art software to solve real world problems and communicate solutions to hands-on projects and activities. This course covers topics such as: roles of civil engineers and architects, project planning, site planning, building design, and project documentation and presentation. Students utilize problem-solving techniques and participate in hands-on activities to develop an understanding of course concepts. Teachers should provide each student with real world learning opportunities and instruction. Students are encouraged to become active members of the student organizations, WV SkillsUSA or WV TSA (Technology Student Association). All West Virginia teachers are responsible for classroom instruction that integrates learning skills, technology tools, and skill sets.

2462 Digital Electronics

Digital Electronics is a component of the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) pre-engineering curriculum. This is a course in applied logic that encompasses the application of electronic circuits and devices. Computer simulation software is used to design and test digital circuitry prior to the actual construction of circuits and devices. Students utilize problem-solving techniques and participate in hands-on activities to develop an understanding of course concepts. Teachers should provide each student with real world learning opportunities and instruction. Students are encouraged to become active members of the student organizations, WV SkillsUSA or WV TSA (Technology Student Association). All West Virginia teachers are responsible for classroom instruction that integrates learning skills, technology tools, and skill sets.

2464 Engineering Design and Development

Engineering Design and Development is a component of the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) pre- engineering curriculum. This is an engineering research course in which students work in teams to research, design, and construct a solution to an open-ended engineering problem. Students apply principles developed in the four preceding courses and are guided by a community mentor. They must present progress reports, submit a final written report, and defend their solutions to a panel of outside reviewers at the end of the school year. Safety instruction is integrated into all activities. Students utilize problem-solving techniques and participate in hands-on activities to develop an understanding of course concepts. Teachers should provide each student with real world learning opportunities and instruction. Students are encouraged to become active members of the student organizations, WV SkillsUSA or WV TSA (Technology Student Association). All West Virginia teachers are responsible for classroom instruction that integrates learning skills, technology tools, and skill sets.