Project Lead the Way is in its second year at Van Wert High School. It is a pre-engineering course offered at Van Wert with a four year curriculum. Nation wide Project Lead the Way was started to allow students begin their engineering classes during high school, in hopes of increasing the number engineers in the United States. The program is growing in Van Wert, and the Middle School is looking to add a Gateway into Technology for eighth graders to grasp their interest in the middle school years.
        Project Lead the Way is a college course and credit may earned at the end of each year. As a freshman an introduction into engineering design is offered. With this class students create 3-d models of a wide assortment of items. Also they are introduced to the CAD (Computer aided design) program that is internationally used. This program is used in any engineering firm and locally Braun manufacturing in Van Wert. Sophomore year the course moves into the principles of engineering. This touches on most of the engineering fields for example; mechanical, systems, electrical, thermal dynamics, kinematics, and strength in materials. Each of these topics can range from 2-6 weeks depending on the length of time the students take on their projects. Digital Electronics is the junior year course. During their junior year students receive their own circuit boards to assemble and design. Finally, the senior class deals with Cap Stone. The seniors choose a world problem and are asked to find a solution. If the proper materials are available students carry their designs. 
          Project Lead the Way is a problem based course. It possesses hands on learning in ways that other classes can't accommodate. Current students enjoy relating math, science and other subjects to world applications that they will be able to use in the future.

Last Updated:
Thursday, April 24, 2008  
by: Heather Germann