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Engineering Design & Development (PLTW)

Course Description

The knowledge and skills students acquire throughout PLTW Engineering come together in Engineering Design and Development as they identify an issue and then research, design, and test a solution, ultimately presenting their solution to a panel of engineers. Students apply the professional skills they have developed to document a design process to standards, completing Engineering Design and Development ready to take on any post-secondary program or career.

Grade Level(s): 10th-12th Grades

Engineering Design & Development is a Project Lead the Way course taught by Kirkwood teachers with PLTW curriculum and resources.  Curriculum for each subject area is aligned with Next Generation Science Standards, which align closely with Missouri Learning Standards for Science.  The PLTW Engineering Design & Development Course Outline can be viewed HERE.

Course-Level Scope & Sequence (Units &/or Skills)

Engineering Design and Development (EDD) is the capstone course in the PLTW high school engineering program. It is an open-ended engineering research course in which students work in teams to design and develop an original solution to a well-defined and justified open-ended problem by applying an engineering design process.

Below is the Engineering Design and Development course structure.

  • Component 0: Project Management
    • The EDD Design Process and Project Management
    • Documenting the Engineering Design Process
    • Teams, Timelines, and Contacting Experts
    • Project Evaluations and Classroom Management
    • Intellectual Property
  • Component 1 – Research
    • Element A – Identification and Justification of the Problem
    • Element B – Documentation and Analysis of Prior Solution Attempts
    • Element C – Presentation and Justification of Solution Requirements
  • Component 2 – Design
    • Element D – Design Concept Generation, Analysis, and Selection
    • Element E – Application of STEM Principles and Practices
    • Element F – Consideration of Design Viability
  • Component 3 – Prototype and Test
    • Element G – Construction of a Testable Prototype
    • Element H – Prototype Testing and Data Collection Plan
    • Element I – Testing, Data Collection, and Analysis
  • Component 4 – Evaluation of Project and Process
    • Element J – Documentation of External Evaluation
    • Element K – Reflection on the Design Project
    • Element L – Presentation of Designer’s Recommendations
  • Component 5 – Reflection and Presenting the Design Process
    • Element M – Presentation of the Project and Project Portfolio
    • Element N – Writing Like an Engineer
  • Component 6 – Going Beyond EDD