Preparing tomorrow's engineers and engineering technologists: An evaluation of the project lead the way outreach program for middle and high school students in Indiana

Abstract

Project Lead The Way is a pre-engineering program designed to prepare students for postsecondary engineering and engineering technology courses. PLTW courses utilize project-and problem-based learning strategies that encourage students to apply what they learn to real-life situations. At the middle school level the program is called Gateway to Technology. Gateway to Technology is project-based and designed with all students in mind and addresses national standards in math, science and technology. One of the goals of the middle school curriculum is to increase interest and awareness of female and minority students in technology and related careers. Gateway to Technology also encourages increasing numbers of students to elect the high school program. Over the past 6 years participation in PLTW in Indiana has risen to over 125 schools with over 14,000 students. The evaluation study sought to understand how PLTW programs are implemented and structured, as a means of identifying ways to increase the effectiveness of the PLTW programs in Indiana and sustaining them in the long term. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2006.