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Getting Started

If you're intersted in getting started with PLTW, this is a great place to start!

Registration

New program registration opens in the fall for the next school year's implementation and closes in late spring.

Please review the information on this page before registering your district through PLTW’s online registration process.

PLTW Program Information

PLTW works with schools and districts to support the implementation of effective Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education programs.

The Getting Started Guide provides information on each of PLTW’s three programs:

The PLTW curriculum is provided at no charge to schools. Program participation fees, classroom equipment, kits for hands-on activities, other supplies, and required professional development are the main costs associated with implementation. For more information on the cost of the PLTW program for your district, please visit our PLTW Program Enhancements page.

If you wish to visit a PLTW school, use our School Locator and search for schools by state, zip code, or name.

PLTW School Grant Program

Funds awarded under the PLTW School Grant Program are intended to assist schools implementing PLTW programs by partially offsetting the cost of required classroom equipment and professional development. More information.

Steps for Implementation

The steps below briefly outline the basic steps to implementing a PLTW program at your school. We encourage you to download the Guide for Implementation & Sustainability of PLTW Programs (COMING SOON), which is designed to help district administrators, school administrators, teachers, and counselors plan for the successful implementation and sustainability of their PLTW program(s). It is intended to be used in conjunction with the Getting Started Guide.

1. Select a District Administrator and School Administrator(s)
The District Administrator is a district-level administrator and is responsible for contracts, adding new schools, organizing payment of the participation fee, updating the district’s profile page, managing School Administrators, reviewing agreements and program requirements yearly, adding/editing district-level personnel information, and accessing my.PLTW based on permissions for data purposes.

The School Administrator is a school-level administrator and is responsible for adding programs and teachers to their school, maintaining the school’s profile page, reviewing program requirements yearly, adding/editing school-level personnel, and accessing my.PLTW based on permissions for data purposes. Note: Each PLTW school must designate a School Administrator.

2. Register the school district*
The school district and participating schools must be registered with PLTW through the online registration process. Upon registration, the District Administrator automatically receives an email with a link to the PLTW Agreement. View a sample PLTW Agreement and the accompanying PLTW Program Requirements. Note: If you are an existing PLTW district and would like to add a new school or an existing school or would like to add a new curricular program, please contact our School Support Team.

3. Review the agreement
Review the agreement with your school board, superintendent, and legal department to make sure all parties are fully aware of district and school responsibilities. After the authorized signatures have been obtained, scan and email the original signed document to our School Support Team. The deadline to return the agreement is June 30. However, it is recommended that districts return the agreement as soon as possible as teachers cannot register for Core Training until the agreement is returned and processed.

4. Identify appropriate teachers
Select teachers who are excited to teach a project-based learning curriculum and meet the requirements set by PLTW. See the PLTW Program Requirements for full details. Once the teacher(s) are selected, the School Administrator registers each teacher through the PLTW database. District and School Administrators will not receive login credentials until after the signed agreement has been returned to PLTW.

5. Teachers register for Core Training
After teachers gain access to the system, they can register for a Core Training session. Visit the Professional Development page for details.

6. Purchase required equipment and software
Review the PLTW Purchasing Manual and supporting resources to order items for your PLTW courses. To ensure your class/lab is fully equipped before the new school year, start the ordering process in early spring.

*Post-secondary institutions that would like more information about teaching PLTW courses should contact the School Support Team.

What’s Next?

The Program Support page features additional resources to support the sustainability of your PLTW program. Sections include:

  • Counselor Conferences
  • Grow Your Program
  • Marketing Materials
  • Technical Support
  • Professional Development

In addition, district administrators, school administrators, teachers, and principals from registered schools receive updates and reminders through PLTW’s bi-weekly Action Bulletin email. View an archive of past issues.

Stay connected with PLTW through Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Have Questions or Need Additional Information?

Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or 877-335-PLTW (7589).