The internationally recognized Project Lead the Way (PLTW) pre-engineering curriculum is offered in both high schools. Teachers have undergone extensive training and implemented the rigorous PLTW curriculum in order to become PLTW-certified, and Ken-Ton was among the first districts in Western New York to implement the new PLTW Computer Science & Engineering curriculum. The programs feature state-of-the-art engineering equipment, including 3D printers, CNC rapid prototyping machines, and robotic automation capabilities. Students are able to take PLTW courses in addition to a variety of technology classes and courses that are part of the district’s Pre-Engineering Academy, which during the 2018-19 school year was designated as a Model Program by the NYS Career and Technical Education Technical Assistance Center (CTE TAC).

Courses

Design & Drawing for Production (DDP)
Prerequisites: None; Grade Levels: 9-12

This course follows the NYSED published curriculum guide for DDP, which affords all those who complete the course the opportunity to satisfy the art/music/design graduation requirement and prepares all for continued PLTW and Tech Ed study. Students participate in a wide variety of classroom activities that involve the completion of design projects using both traditional and modern techniques. Learning takes place through hands-on learning in the District’s updated prototyping labs. DDP is a prerequisite for all other PLTW courses, but may also be taken as a stand-alone course. This may also be taken to satisfy the Art/Music requirement or as an elective, and college credit is possible through Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and Erie Community College (ECC).

PLTW Computer Integrated Manufacturing (PLTW CIM) "Automation, Computers, & Robots"
Prerequisites: Design & Drawing for Production (DDP); Grade Levels: 10-12

The major focus of this course is to answer the questions: How are things made? What processes go into creating products? Is the process for making a water bottle the same as it is for a musical instrument? How does an assembly line work? As students find the answers to these and other questions, they learn about the past, present, and future of manufacturing. This course is built around several key concepts: computer modeling, Computer Numeric Control (CNC) equipment, computer aided manufacturing (CAM), and robotics. PLTW CIM students build on the skills and knowledge acquired in Design & Drawing for Production (DDP) and move to a higher level of design visualization while creating and troubleshooting robotic systems created using Vex robotics. College credit is possible through Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and Erie Community College (ECC).

PLTW Principles of Engineering (PLTW POE)
Prerequisites: Design & Drawing for Production (DDP); Grade Levels: open to 10, recommended 11-12

This survey course of engineering exposes students to some of the major concepts they’ll encounter in post-secondary science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEMs) courses of study. Students have an opportunity to investigate engineering and high-tech careers and to develop skills and understanding of course concepts. Students employ engineering and scientific concepts in the solution of engineering design problems. They develop problem-solving skills and apply their knowledge of research and design to create solutions to various challenges. Hands-on activities will be undertaken including the design and construction of: electronic power packs, solar-powered vehicles, powered model vehicles, aerodynamics and aircraft flight, auto safety, and robotics and machine automation. Students interested in engineering or wishing to explore the work of mechanical, civil, electrical, or automotive engineering will benefit from this course as well as anyone interested in STEMs careers. PLTW Principles of Engineering (POE) may substitute as a third unit of science credit, and college credit is possible through Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and Erie Community College (ECC).

PLTW Computer Science Principles (AP CSP)
Prerequisites: PLTW DDP recommended; Grade Levels: 10-12

This Project Lead the Way / Advanced Placement course offers students an introduction to computer science, covering the College Board's Computer Science Principles framework. This course will introduce students to computation tools, foster creativity, and build awareness of the demand for computer specialists in all professional fields. Topics include app design, graphical user interfaces, internet security protocols for commerce and social media, intelligent machines, and visualizing data. This course may be taken as an elective, as part of a PLTW sequence, or a five unit Technology / CTE sequence. College credit is available for this course through successful completion of College Board course requirements.

PLTW Digital Electronics (PLTW DE)
Prerequisites: Design & Drawing for Production (DDP) recommended; Grade Levels: 11-12

Are you interested in knowing how all modern electronics work? Students in this course study electronic circuits that are used to process and control digital signals. Digital electronics is the foundation of all modern electronic devices, such as cell phones, computers, communication systems, digital cameras, high-definition televisions, and MP3 players. The major focus of the DE course is to expose students to logic design, teamwork, communication methods, and engineering standards. This course may be substituted as a third unit of mathematics credit (upon passing Algebra and Trigonometry), and is available for college credit through Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and Erie Community College (ECC).

PLTW Engineering Design & Development (PLTW EDD)
Prerequisites: At least two PLTW courses, which include DDP; Grade Levels: 11-12

This course is the final, capstone experience in the Project Lead the Way sequence of learning. In this unique design course, students work in teams to engineer and develop original solutions to valid open-ended technical problems by applying the engineering design process. Students perform research to choose, validate, and justify a technical problem. After carefully defining the problem, teams design, build, and test their solutions while working closely with industry professionals who provide mentoring opportunities. Finally, student teams present and defend their original solution to an outside panel. This course is appropriate for 12th grade students, and college credit is possible for this PLTW course through Erie Community College (ECC).