<p>My DS is taking these engineering classes in high school. I was wonderring if anyone currently in college took these classes in high school and if they recieved any college credit. Also, do you think it helped you when you applied to colleges? Do you know which schools give credit - I know in Maryland UMBC does and UMCP doesn't.</p>
<p>[PLTW National Affiliates](<a href=“http://www.pltw.org/professional-development/affiliates/affiliates.html”>http://www.pltw.org/professional-development/affiliates/affiliates.html</a>) Project Lead the Way’s affiliate schools are guaranteed to give your DS credit for their PLTW classes, most commonly in the form of an Introduction to Engineering credit. Because the pool of PLTW graduates is so small not all schools publicly state their credit policies for it. With UMCP in particular, I was told I would be able to get credit.</p>
<p>Project Lead the Way swept me off my feet and dumped me head first into the engineering profession. I doubt there’s a more authentic, more 21st century approach to teaching kids to integrate innovation into their lives. Most graduates of my school’s program didn’t need any boost in college admissions, however those who’ve came back to speak vouch that they were eons ahead of many of their peers when it came to actual engineering classes.</p>
<p>My son got heavily recruited by the PLTW teachers in his school for next year - and he turned them down. He is interested in Chem E and PLTW deals with design / mechanical stuff. I recommended it to him, but his big sister - a working ChemE - read the Course description and agrees with son. She says he can pick it up at U, and the top schools don’t give credit for it anyway. </p>
<p>The other major problem I had with PLTW is that they wanted Son to CXL his Espanol, to take their class… N/G for top schools. So, to me PLTW is good, but too basic, and my son would have appreciated it as a Frosh or Soph, but they wouldn’t let him take it then.</p>
<p>Woah, how coincidental. I’ve been dragged onto the task force team as a “local business representative” to start PLTW in the Houston area for HISD. Our kickoff meeting is tomorrow morning…</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback… I’ll be sure to keep it in mind as the Houston effort evolves.</p>
<p>At my son’s HS you have to start the Pre-Engineering Academy as a Freshmen and they strongly recommend at least 2 yrs of World Language. This my son’s current and projected schedule:
9th
English (I made him take a double period of English to improve his writing - he is not happy with me)
Algebra 2 GT
Biology GT
Lifetime Fitness/Health
Introduction to Engineering
10th
English
GT Pre-Calc
GT Chemistry
AP US Gov
Latin 1
Theater Arts (Required Fine Arts)
Principles of Engineering
11th
English
AP Calculus A/B
GT Physics
AP US History
Digital Electronics
Computer Integrated Manufacturing
12th
English
AP Calculus C
AP Chemistry or Physics
Either an AP Science or AP Statistics
AP World History
Latin 3
Engineering Design and Development
This may not get him into MIT but if he does well I expect him to be a candidate for the top schools.</p>
<p>I’m taking a nonaccredited Principles of Engineering class this year. This is our teacher’s first year with this class and we are learning absolutely nothing, as fun as it may be. I know I’m not getting college credit for it, but am I going to be screwed once I get to college and don’t know the basics on electronics, thermodynamics, and fluids? I suppose these topics will be covered in an intro to engineering college course, since not everyone has the opportunity to take a class on those things during high school.</p>
<p>LLaKHigH,</p>
<p>You will be fine. Most students haven’t been exposed to engineering and you’re not required or expected to know engineering before you go to college. Actually, that’s the entire point of going to engineering school. </p>
<p>I think these programs that are trying to push engineering into the high school level are getting a little out of hand. Looking at that previous schedule, boy, I am sure glad I didn’t have to do all that in high school.</p>