Program Support Overview

In this section you will find key resources and information needed to successfully implement and sustain your PLTW program. Each section title is a hyperlink to the full resource page. If you have any questions, email our School Support Team or call 1-877-335-PLTW.

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page (COMING SOON) for answers to the common questions we receive about the following key resources.

2013-2014 Purchasing Manual
The Purchasing Manual is a key reference for ordering the equipment, supplies and software required to implement a PLTW program. For more information, email Product Support.

Action Bulletin
Every two weeks school- and district-level personnel will receive the Action Bulletin for Schools, which is intended to compile various program updates and timely information into a single email.

Autodesk ® Inventor Certified User Exam
In collaboration with Certiport, PLTW is pleased to announce a significant discount for PLTW schools on the industry-recognized Autodesk Inventor Certified User exam. This certification is ideal for students who have completed the Introduction to Engineering Design course.

  • For PLTW schools only, each exam voucher is $49.
  • The voucher is valid for 12 months and includes a retake opportunity.
  • The 45-minute exam can be administered online at your school.
  • Passing students receive a digital certificate from Autodesk.
  • A free study guide, created by Autodesk, is available.
  • Practice tests are available with exam and learning modes.

Certiport, the provider of the Autodesk Certified User exam, offers additional preparation bundles which include practice tests and certification vouchers at a 30% discount for PLTW schools. For details, call Certiport at
(888) 999-9830 and mention PLTW or email [email protected].

Biomedical Sciences Software
The BMS program is making the transition to the Vernier Logger Pro software to support data acquisition and analysis. Existing PLTW schools will be able to continue using LabVIEW as they complete the transition to the new system. For more information, email School Support.

Certification and GTT National Recognition
PLTW Certification reflects that a high school has met PLTW quality standards. GTT National Recognition is designed to recognize middle schools. For more information email Certification.

Classroom Opportunities
This page lists many of the opportunities for students, teachers and schools such as internships, scholarships, competitions, grants and professional development programs.

Core Training Dates and Locations
In order to teach PLTW courses, teachers must attend and successfully complete a course-specific training session at one of our University Affiliates. This section features information on PLTW Core Training as well as dates and locations at our affiliates. For more information, email Professional Development. You may also apply to become a Core Training Instructor.

Counselor Conferences
Dates and locations for PLTW informational sessions that are open to school counselors, administrators, teachers, and Partnership Teams can be found in this section. For more information email Professional Development. 

Extranet
The PLTW Extranet is used by Teachers and School District Delegates in order to register for Core Training, add new schools or teachers, enroll in new programs and update contact information.

Gateway Academy
In this summer camp experience, middle schools students explore STEM fields utilizing PLTW’s project-based, hands-on, and real-world problem-solving approach to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) learning.

Grow Your Program
This one-stop-shop of information and resources for PLTW schools to promote and grow their programs and attract new students to STEM education includes PLTW logos, marketing materials, best practices and links to other STEM resources.

Guide for Implementation & Sustainability of PLTW Programs (COMING SOON)
This guide is designed to help administrators, school district delegates, teachers and counselors plan for the successful implementation and sustainability of their PLTW program(s).

Marketing Materials
PLTW offers marketing materials to schools for its STEM education programs.

Partnership Team Guide
The PLTW Partnership Team Guidebook is a useful resource in establishing and maintaining a partnership team. Partnership teams enhance the PLTW program and student success though beneficial connections to the community.  Partnership teams are a required component of the PLTW program. 

Professional Development
PLTW professional development program comprised of three phases: readiness training, Core Training, and ongoing training. For more information, email Professional Development.

Promising Practices
Promising practices are positive examples of program delivery that come from the PLTW Network, sent in by schools, affiliate directors, state leaders, business and community partners.  If a particular strategy has increased program participation, program recognition and/or improved program delivery in your school, state or region, please share the success of your promising practice with us.

Software License Information Page
 This form will allow schools to order & purchase software that is provided through PLTW.

Standards Alignment Tool
The PLTW Standards and Objectives Alignment Tool utilizes an interactive interface to display alignments that connect PLTW content to Common Core State Standards and additional National Standards.

Technical Support
Technical support documents are available for the software applications on the Virtual Academy. Guest logins are available for those who are not a School District Delegate or Teacher. For more information, email Technical Support.

VEX Robotics Equipment and ROBOTC Software
PLTW partners with VEX Robotics to give schools new, exciting and cutting-edge opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. VEX Robotics equipment is used in conjunction with ROBOTC software from Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Academy. For more information, email School Support.

Virtual Academy
The Virtual Academy is used by Teachers and School District Delegates to access the PLTW curriculum and support materials (trained teachers only), Core Training pre-assessments and ongoing professional development training, online forums, communication tools, Assessment and Evaluation instructions, and technical support materials.  Guest logins are available for those who are not a School District Delegate or Teacher.