Technology is part of everyone’s world. Some people think technology is a series of abstract concepts and devices understood by only a few. Nothing could be further from the truth. Technology is human innovation in action. People re-design or “engineer” the natural world to fit their needs or wants. Technology and Engineering Education is the study of this human adaptive process through a laboratory-centered, hands-on and minds-on, activity-based approach. In doing so, we employ math, science and technology principles and evaluate their resulting impacts. A quick look at the Parkland’s Technology and Engineering Department’s course descriptions will reveal these principles and career exploration opportunities for future engineers, engineering technicians, architects, etc.
These are some of the experiences that students will gain through Parkland’s Technology and Engineering program:
- Designing, developing, and utilizing technological systems
- Open-ended, problem-based design activities
- Applying technological knowledge to real world experiences
- Invention and other topics dealing with human innovation
- Working individually as well as in teams to solve problems
Project Lead The Way
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is a rigorous, innovative STEM curriculum for high school students. Developed by educators and industry professionals, this transformational program promotes critical thinking, creativity, and real-world problem-solving. The curriculum features hands-on activities and explores career paths, helping students determine their post-high school direction. Through partnerships, PLTW ensures its curriculum remains cutting-edge, reflecting modern workforce realities while building essential lifelong skills.
Parkland High School offers three PLTW programs in Computer Science, Biomedical Science, and Engineering. These courses are offered at the Honors or AP levels as indicated within the course titles.
Below are the courses that are available for students throughout their Parkland High School career. These courses are elective courses and many are weighted at higher levels. Please see the full course description for more information.
| Project Lead the Way: Computer Science Suggested Sequence (Computer Science Essentials- .5 Credit, ½ Year Course, Weighted Grade; All Other Courses- 1 Credit, Full Year Courses, Weighted Grades) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 9th Grade Foundation Course (1/2 year) (980) Computer Science Essentials Honors | 10th Grade Foundation Course (981) Computer Science Principles AP | 11th Grade Foundation Course (982) Computer Science- A AP | 12th Grade Capstone Course (983) Cybersecurity Honors |
| Project Lead the Way: Biomedical Science Suggested Sequence (1 Credit, Full Year Courses, Weighted Grades) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 9th Grade Foundation Course (941) Principles of Biomedical Science Honors | 10th Grade Foundation Course (942) Human Body Systems Honors | 11th Grade Foundation Course (943) Medical Interventions Honors | 12th Grade Capstone Course (944) Biomedical Innovation Honors |
| Project Lead the Way: Engineering Suggested Sequence (1 Credit, Full Year Courses, Weighted Grades) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 9th Grade Foundation Course Math Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra 1 with a high “B” or better; “B” or better in all other Algebra courses | 10th Grade Foundation Course Math Prerequisite: Grade of “B” or better in all Algebra courses taken Math Co-Requisite or Prerequisite: Geometry | 11th Grade Specialization Courses Math Prerequisite: Geometry and a grade of “B” or better in all Algebra courses taken | 12th Grade Capstone Course Math Prerequisite: “B” or better in Geometry Recommended Math Co-Requisite: Precalculus or Calculus |
| (991) Intro to Engineering Design Honors (See Math Prerequisite above) | (992) Principles of Engineering Honors (Additional Prerequisite: “C” or better in 991) Students may choose a specialty course from the next section (to the right under 11th grade) if schedule permits | (993) Computer Integrated Manufacturing. Honors (Additional Prerequisite: “C” or better in 991) (994) Digital Electronics Honors (Additional Prerequisite: “C” or better in 991) (997) Aerospace Engineering Honors – offered in 2022-2023 (Additional Prerequisite: “C” or better in 991 and 992) (998) Civil Engineering and Architecture Honors- offered again in 2023-2024 (Additional Prerequisite: “C” or better in 991 or 902- Residential Architecture) | (995) Engineering Design & Development Honors (Additional Prerequisites: 991, 992, and either 993, 994, 997, or 998 completed with a “B” or better) Students may choose a specialty course from the previous section (to the left) if schedule permits |
The 900 Courses: Technology & Engineering
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- apAdvanced Placement
- hHonors
- pltwProject Lead The Way
- dcDual Credit
- ahcArts & Humanities Credit
- tacTech Applications Credit
- ncaaNCAA/Clearinghouse
- 1 Semester
- 0.5 Credit
- Grades 9,10,11,12
Students should not take this course if they plan to take Introduction to Engineering Design (#991). Students will take a varied look into the many facets of technical and computer-aided design (CAD). This course will give students broad-based exposure to skills that will help them become future designers in various…
- 1 Semester
- 0.5 Credit
- Grades 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Technical Drawing and CAD or Intro. To Engineering Design (PLTW). This course is a broad description of the architecture and construction of homes in our region. Students are given limited square footage constraints and a building lot to creatively design a functional, yet aesthetic home. They are asked to…
- 1 Semester
- 0.5 Credit
- Grades 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Residential Architecture (902).This course expands upon concepts covered in 902. A similar problem-solving design approach will be employed. Expanded and new topics include structural details, beam and loading calculations, interior design, elevations, foundation systems, and alternative materials. Students will be asked to complete a fully workable set of plans…
- 1 Semester
- 0.5 Credit
- Grades 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Technical Drawing & CAD (901) or Intro. to Engineering Design (PLTW) (991).This course expands upon the concepts and skills taught in Technical Drawing & CAD (901). 3D AutoCAD software will be used to apply geometric primitives with Booleanoperators to create designs from scratch. These designs will then be used…
- 1 Semester
- 0.5 Credit
- Grades 9,10,11,12
Prerequisite: Intro to Drafting, Design, and CADD or Intro to Engineering Design (PLTW) Did you ever wonder how cars, roller blades, mag wheels and other products are manufactured? Through computer technologies, students will explore Robotics, Computer Numerical Control and Computer Design/Manufacturing processes. Gain hands-on exposure to a variety of manufacturing…
- 1 Semester
- 0.5 Credit
- Grades 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Production Materials & Processes Use your skills from course #911 in combination with CNC, Robotics, and Quality Control to set up and manufacture products in a cooperative learning environment. This course will offer advanced topics extending beyond the scope of course #911 and is currently implementing a Science, Technology,…
- 1 Semester
- 0.5 Credit
- Grades 9,10,11,12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 1. This project-based course focuses on how electronics affects our lives and also on our dependence upon its constant development. Electricity drives all of the modern technology that we use at home and in school. Students will gain a better understanding of how electricity and…
- 1 Semester
- 0.5 Credit
- Grades 9,10,11,12
Prerequisite: Technical Drawing and CAD or Intro to Engineering Design (PLTW) In this course, students use the technological method to design and build models of transportation and energy systems. Creating working models of planes, boats, racecars and rockets enable students to apply math, science, and technology concepts as they compete…
- 1 Semester
- 0.5 Credit
- Grades 9,10,11,12
Prerequisite: Technical Drawing and CAD or Intro to Engineering Design (PLTW) Students learn the Creative Problems Solving (CPS) method used in many of today’s competitive companies and organizations. The application of CPS techniques, along with machines, materials, and information resources, will result in the processes of invention and innovation to…
- 1 Semester
- 0.5 Credit
- Grades 9,10,11,12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 1. In this introductory course of the PLTW Computer Science program, students learn fundamental computer science concepts using MIT App Inventor and Python. The first unit of the course utilizes MIT App Inventor to create basic apps that rely on the concepts of event-driven programming,…
- 2 Semesters
- 1 Credit
- Grades 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Computer Science Essentials Honors (980) This course aims to develop computational thinking, to generate excitement about the field of computing, and to introduce computational tools that foster creativity. Students practice problem solving with structured activities and progress to open-ended projects and problems that require them to develop planning, documentation,…
- 2 Semesters
- 1 Credit
- Grades 10,11,12
Prerequisite: Computer Science Essentials Honors (980) AP Computer Science A introduces students to the foundational principles of computer science through programming, with an emphasis on object-oriented design and problem solving using the Java programming language. Students will learn how to design and implement algorithms, organize and manipulate data using data…
- 2 Semesters
- 1 Credit
- Grades 10,11,12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Computer Science Essentials Honors (980). This course exposes high school students to the ever growing and far reaching field of cybersecurity through problem-based learning, where students role-play as cybersecurity experts and train as cybersecurity experts do. It also connects to the National Cybersecurity Workforce Framework (also…
- 2 Semesters
- 1 Credit
- Grades 9,10
Prerequisite: Concurrently taking Honors Biology (424) or full completion of Biology (421) with a “C+” or better. This is the introductory course of the PLTW Biomedical Science program. Students will explore concepts of biology and medicine to provide foundational knowledge and skills in fields such as biology, anatomy & physiology,…
- 2 Semesters
- 1 Credit
- Grades 10,11
Prerequisite: Grade of “C+” or better in Principles of Biomedical Science Honors (941). NOTE: Only 11th and 12th grade students may double-up in HBS (942) and MI (943). To double up students must have a “C+” or better in both PBS (941) and Honors Biology (424). The HBS course provides…
- 2 Semesters
- 1 Credit
- Grades 11,12
Prerequisite: Grade of “C+” or better in Human Body Systems Honors (942). NOTE: Only 11th and 12th grade students may double-up in HBS (942) and MI (943). To double up students must have a “C+” or better in both PBS (941) and Honors Biology (424). In Medical Interventions, students follow…
- 2 Semesters
- 1 Credit
- Grade 12
Prerequisite: Grade of “C+” or better in all previous Biomedical courses, including Principles of Biomedical Science Honors (941), Human Body Systems Honors (942), and Medical Interventions Honors (943). In this final course of the PLTW Biomedical Science sequence, students build on the knowledge and skills gained from previous courses to…
- 2 Semesters
- 1 Credit
- Grades 9,10,11,12
Math Prerequisites: Completion of Algebra 1 with a high “B” or better; “B” or better in all other Algebra courses. This is the first course in the Project Lead the Way Engineering sequence. IED is an introductory look into the design and creation of modern products. Students develop an understanding…
- 2 Semesters
- 1 Credit
- Grades 10,11,12
Math Prerequisite: Currently taking or previously completed Geometry and a grade of “B” or better in Algebra 1 and all other Algebra courses taken at the high school level. Additional Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in Intro to Engineering Design Honors (991). This is the second course in the…
- 2 Semesters
- 1 Credit
- Grades 10,11,12
Math Prerequisite: Currently taking or previously completed Geometry and a grade of “B” or better in all Algebra courses taken at the high school level. Additional Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in Intro to Engineering Design Honors (991).The purpose of this course is to teach the fundamentals of computerized…
- 2 Semesters
- 1 Credit
- Grades 10,11,12
Math Prerequisite: Currently taking or previously completed Geometry and a grade of B or better in all Algebra courses taken at the high school level. Additional Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in Intro to Engineering Design Honors (991)This is a course in applied logic as it is used in…
- 2 Semesters
- 1 Credit
- Grades 10,12
Math Prerequisite: Currently taking or previously completed Geometry and a grade of “B” or better in all Algebra courses taken at the high school level. Additional Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in Intro to Engineering Design Honors (991) and in Principles of Engineering Honors (992).Students are introduced to the…
- 2 Semesters
- 1 Credit
- Grades 10,11,12
Math Prerequisite: Currently taking or previously completed Geometry and a grade of “B” or better in all Algebra courses taken at the high school level. Additional Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in Intro to Engineering Design Honors (991) or in Residential Architecture (902). This overview course emphasizes the inter-relationship…
- 2 Semesters
- 1 Credit
- Grades 11,12
Math Prerequisite “B” or better in Geometry. It is recommended that students concurrently enroll in Precalculus or Calculus. Additional Prerequisite: Grade of “B” or better in two or more of the following specialization courses- In Computer Science: 981,982, 983, and in Engineering: 992, 993, 994, 997, or 998. Note that…