All students at Rodriguez Prep have the opportunity to take our Engineering and Design classes, we use Project Lead the Way as the curriculum. “Project Lead The Way provides transformative learning experiences for K-12 students and teachers across the U.S. We create an engaging, hands-on classroom environment and empower students to develop in-demand knowledge and skills they need to thrive. We also provide teachers with the training, resources, and support they need to engage students in real-world learning.”
In grades 6, 7, and 8 we offer the following specific PLTW classes: Medical Detectives, Design and Modeling, Computer Science for Innovators and Makers, and App Creators.
Medical Detectives - “Students play the role of real-life medical detectives as they analyze genetic testing results to diagnose disease and study DNA evidence found at a “crime scene.” They solve medical mysteries through hands-on projects and labs, investigate how to measure and interpret vital signs, and learn how the systems of the human body work together to maintain health.”
Design and Modeling – “Students discover the design process and develop an understanding of the influence of creativity and innovation in their lives. They are then challenged and empowered to use and apply what they’ve learned throughout the unit to design a therapeutic toy for a child “who has cerebral palsy.”
Computer Science for Innovators and Makers – “Throughout the unit, students will learn about programming for the physical world by blending hardware design and software development, allowing students to discover computer science concepts and skills by creating personally relevant, tangible, and shareable projects.”
App Creators - This unit will expose students to computer science as a means of computationally analyzing and developing solutions to authentic problems through mobile app development, and will convey the positive impact of the application of computer science to other disciplines and to society.
Other classes that also support our School of Engineering and Design are Jazz Band, Art, Yearbook, Mexican History, Film Club, Young Adult Literature, Speech and Debate, Steam for Artists, Forensic Science, Steam Decathalon, Plant Sciences, Microcomputer Applications, Mechanisms and Robotics, and Magic for Muggles.
“Home.” PLTW, 31 Aug. 2017, www.pltw.org/.