Model Programs
  PROJECT LEAD THE WAY PRE-ENGINEERING PROGRAM- Lancaster High School, Antelope Valley Union High School District, Lancaster, CA Build San Francisco - San Francisco, CA
Business Industry Technology Academy - Anaheim, CAEast San Gabriel Valley Regional Occupational Program and Center - West Covina, CAHealth Careers Academy - Palmdale, CA Health Careers Academy - Placerville, CAHealth Professions High School - Sacramento, CAInformation Systems Academy - Lancaster, CALaguna Creek Manufacturing Production Technology Academy - Elk Grove, CA Life Academy of Health and Bioscience - Oakland, CA
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Pre-Engineering Program - Barstow, CASchool of Digital Media and Design - San Diego, CASpace, Technology and Robotic Systems Academy - Lompoc, CAStanley E. Foster Construction Technology Academy - San Diego, CA

 
Type of program Professional/technical education program
 
Description Lancaster High School is in its second year of implementing the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) pre-engineering program. The program is a four-year sequence of courses that, when combined with traditional high school mathematics and science courses, introduces students to the scope, rigor, and discipline of engineering before entering college. The program includes three foundation courses and four specialized courses. In the program’s first year, Lancaster High offered two of the three foundation courses—Digital Electronics and Introduction to Engineering Design. Approximately 67 students were enrolled in these courses. In 2005-06, the high school offered the third foundation course—Principles of Engineering—and seeks to expand and fully implement the program in the coming years. In a closely related activity, the students engage in state, regional, and national competitions in robotics.
 
Key Characteristics
  • At present, the complete PLTW curriculum consists of six courses—the three foundation courses plus Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Civil Engineering and Architecture, and Engineering Design and Development. Additionally, the organization is developing two more courses: Aerospace Engineering and Biotechnical Engineering. Lancaster High offers three of these courses.
  • To be certified for each course, a teacher must participate in an intensive one-week summer training institute taught by postsecondary engineering faculty. PLTW provides additional professional development and assistance online and at additional workshops during the academic year.
  • PLTW also makes a concerted effort to inform school counselors about the benefits of the program through counselor conferences, brochures, and videotapes, and to inform them about the wide array of technology jobs and careers available to students who enter the field upon graduation from high school and college.
  • Lancaster High integrates the PLTW courses with challenging hands-on projects in engineering and robotics, which involve students in state, regional, and national competitions.
  • The program involves professionals from locally based engineering firms such as Lockheed Martin who participate actively in the programs as speakers, mentors, and program advisors.