My S21 is finishing the first Project Lead the Way (pre-engineering) class as a Freshman and really loved it. It’s a new program at our public HS. He’s planning to continue taking them through HS (they are AP weighted at his school). This may keep him from taking some APs, like Physics or Chem.
He’s still figuring out if he’ll pursue engineering or business in college.
Just curious if anyone else is familiar with this program and has thoughts on pros and cons compared to AP courses from a college admissions stand point. Do these courses have much cachet on a HS transcript? Obviously probably more so if he’s applying to engineering, I’d think…I admit I don’t know much about them.
" Do these courses have much cachet on a HS transcript? "
not like AP classes, especially for rigorous engineering programs
ANYONE hoping to be accepted into an Engineering program should take both a AP Chem and the AP Physics 1 And 2 classes in order to be considered a strong candidate. In addition, any engineering student will be VERY far behind in college if they have not taken HS Chem and those AP Physics classes, and will have to spend time and tuition $$ taking lots of basic [ and costly] Physics and Chem classes to catch up.
My d19 has taken 3 PLTW classes so far and likely will take one next year (assuming it fits into her schedule).
She didn’t take them with the expectation that they would help her with admission over other choices. She took them to see if she liked them enough to consider an engineering related major. She had college credits from them that may or may not transfer. Most likely if they do, it will be as general credits. She took the clssses because she was interested in them and enjoyed them. They were also a basically no stress, easy A class for her (not necessarily for everyone). She took them even though it meant no study hall every day. She did not prioritize them over math or science though. In fact, she doubled up on math last year and science this year. She will double up on sciences again next year as well.
They have started those programs in schools in my area. The way they work here is the courses take the place of your electives; you still take the normal classes you normally would. My friend’s son does the bio-med stream, so his electives are all related to that. He’s still taking Chem, Physics, etc… he will just have a lot more science courses on his transcript. I don’t think they are meant to take the place of the normal core classes college bound students would take.
This is all helpful. I know AP Chem and Physics are double period courses in his school which is why it may be hard for him to take both.
Makes me realize I need to sit down with him at map out some scenarios. He’s wants to take through AP level in foreign language too which is technically elective. And there’s an amazing global issues course he wants to do b/c of an amazing teacher and the trips they do.
Engineering hopefuls should take physics and chemistry in high school (along with the highest math offered to him/her), but they do not need to be AP (though AP chemistry can exempt the student from a required chemistry course in many colleges).
PLTW can help a high school student figure out how much s/he is interested in engineering. Most high school seniors just think “math, science, good pay, and neat things like airplanes/cars/computers” when choosing engineering.
I agree with the other comments. PLTW is good for “information” about what engineering is like, but should never take the place of the traditional science courses. Our school had it but my son (about to be an engineering college graduate) didn’t take them because he really couldn’t fit it in with all of the foreign language, AP lit and history, and AP science classes…
I did a quick mapping and it looks like he can do following along with PLTW
Honors Bio
Honors Chemistry
APES (our state requires an earth science to graduate but not physics – go figure)
AP Physics
AP Calc, either AB or BC
Don’t think he’ll be able to fit AP Chem in his schedule unless he gives up something else – and b/c they alternate them yearly due to our school’s small size (800 students)
(He’ll also have APUSH, AP World, AP Spanish, AP Lang and possibly AP Lit though he hates English classes so might not take AP Lit as a Senior)
Of course, he might change directions re: engineering b4 senior year and plan to go more into the business side of tech – but at least the PLTW classes will have given him a good grounding in design and engineering – more than a lot of folks on the business side of the house have!
@AlmostThere2018 I know he’s young yet, but do you have any idea of where he might want to go to college? Looking at how the engineering schools treat both PLTW and AP credits may help you and your DS decide.
In my S17’s case, he was able to take an exam at the end of each PLTW class to earn college credit. Most oos colleges treat them as elective credits, so it didn’t allow him to bypass any intro courses, but as others have said, that’s not why he took PLTW. He gained a lot from the experience, including knowing whether he really wanted to pursue engineering before we paid for three semesters of engineering curriculum at college.
There’s nothing wrong with starting out in Chem 1, Physics 1, etc., in college, unless it helps you save money by graduating early. S17 applied 0 AP credits at Alabama, and he’s happy with that. He doesn’t feel behind by not having had AP Chem or AP Physics in HS. If your S’s HS has competent instructors and some rigor for the regular or honors versions, those classes should give him a solid base for college-level classes.
@IABooks - He talks about NC State since we are in state, and of course that’d be a great choice price wise for our family! Yes, his PLTW courses are all elective and he’s doing it b/c it’s fun and he loves technology And he likes the AP weighting for his GPA, lol. And he’s taking that exam too – he’s heard it’s not easy.
He’s in a top 10 public HS in the state so quality is high. Most kids take AP Physics if they take physics and there’s no pre-req – whereas AP bio and AP Chem you have to have honors of of the subject b4 taking AP. We are on traditional year long courses so it means 7 courses a year instead of 8 you get with block classes. But there’s a rumor that may change by the time he’s a Junior which could lead to more course options.
there is new designation with College Board and PLTW, called AP + PLTW
2 AP + 1 PTLW or 1AP + 2 PLTW , please avoid discussion about usefulness to college application.
^interesting. I think it’s a good thing to have some sort of design to the intersection of PLTW and AP. It’s been a bit of a guessing game up to now. I hope this works out, as most students haven’t a clue as to what engineering really is, other than “I can get a job.” As I said up thread, we encouraged our son to go the “traditional” route, but other options (as long as they are recognized) are great.
ALso consider paying the $$ to get the college credits for PLTW. I agree with others…treat it more like electives…make sure you get through at least Calc AB and AP Physics.
PTLW start at freshman year, it cultivates a HS student on the interest of learning STEM, CS, Engr and Biomedical. Once they have interest in a field as career goal, it makes sense to challenge themselves in AP during Jr/Sr. Yes, PLTW are electives. So don’t take it solely for College Application. I also think the PLTW + AP will lead AP exams and curriculum more fit students had background from PLTW. Otherwise, the partnership just becomes another exam and revenue generating tools.
^ for college credit, there is only a limited no of colleges will grant credits to PTLW. Don’t get too excited about it, at least for now.
My soon to be graduating DD18 did the full four years of the PLTW curriculum, including the Capstone project for her senior year. She was also able to fit in 6 AP courses, including Physics and Chemistry. The classes are weighted at an AP level, so receiving A’s in them significantly boosted her GPA. Due to her participation in the program, she has discovered a love of engineering and a potential path to her future career. She was admitted to MIT and Duke and I know that it made a reflection on the admissions counselor at Duke, because her personalized note from them talked about it. I am a big advocate of the program and have loved seeing my daughter’s growth through the last four years.
@bopper good for you. PLTW listed College Partner that recognize PLTW as college credit courses by state. But the list is still narrowed. Only 4 in Illinois, 2 in Michigan, 2 in Ohio and 1 in Penn. And RIT is the only partner in NY state. Some may recognize Engr but not Biomed credits or vice versa. Those partners may not be the school some students want to apply. I just hope the list grow larger and faster.
