PLTW Summit 2022 is available online for the first time! With workshop sessions to empower you with the tools and tips to maximize your time and enhance the learning experience for your students and opportunities to connect with industry leaders this is sure to be a critical stop on your professional development roadmap for the 2022-23 school year. See below for a first look at the sessions featured in our virtual PLTW Engineering track, and head over to pltw.org/summit to add sessions to your PLTW Summit agenda!
Enhancing Curriculum with Industry and Community Partnerships
Kevin Wolfe
Track: PLTW Engineering
Nitro High School's PLTW Engineering program has developed an approach to building relationships that enhance the community, foster a positive school environment, and prepare students for fruitful careers and college experiences. While each area has a different combination of available partners, the approach developed at Nitro is replicable in a variety of contexts. The session outlines best practices for approaching local industry leaders, and will communicate the benefits these relationships provide students, schools, and whole communities. This presentation includes successful examples between Kanawha County Schools in West Virginia and a breadth of corporate, higher education, and community partners.
Participants completing the session will:
- Learn best practices to approach industry and community partners about partnering with their programs.
- Learn best practices to identify potential industry and community partners that can serve in a variety of capacities to best enhance the attendees' programs.
- Learn ways to incorporate industry and community partnerships into classroom curriculum, enriching the partnership beyond advisory.
Designing and Fabricating Learning and Teaching Aids for Increasing Student Achievement in Introduction to Engineering Design
Craig Hughes and Todd Benz
Tracks: PLTW Gateway, PLTW Engineering
This workshop focuses on using computer-aided design (CAD) programs like Autodesk Fusion 360 and AutoCAD to design and fabricate teaching tools to help teachers implement Introduction to Engineering Design and to support different learning styles (audio, kinesthetic, and visual). Topics include learning to use a dial caliper, holes and hole notes, section views, designing for manufacturability, and several topics with the Automata such as cam displacement, cam motion comparison, and Automata prototype fabrication. When applicable, three methods of fabrication will be explored: traditional tools and materials, 3D printing, and laser cutting/engraving.
Participants completing the session will:
- Utilize various techniques to increase student achievement, and promote lesson efficiency, and organization within the classroom and laboratory.
- Apply CAD skills to design teaching aids for classroom use.
- Select and use different methods (traditional prototyping methods, 3D printing, laser cutting) of fabrication (depending upon resources) to create learning and teaching aids, and prototyping equipment.
Things in My PLTW Classroom That Just Makes Sense
Kelly Garcia
Tracks: PLTW Gateway, PLTW Engineering
If you are looking for tips and tricks to make your classroom run more efficiently, this is the session for you! Learn about strategies for organization and storage, as well as useful tools that support classroom activities and classroom management. We’ll also discuss tips for implementing PLTW curriculum so you and your students can focus on learning!
Participants completing the session will:
- Learn tips for organizing and storing PLTW course materials.
- Learn about some items that support classroom activities and classroom management.
- Learn tips for implementing PLTW curriculum.
Promoting PLTW Programs
Julie Wood, Susan Jones, and Carol Bonn
Tracks: PLTW Computer Science, PLTW Engineering
High school students have many options to choose from when selecting classes. We want to make sure that the PLTW CS and Engineering classes are enticing, rigorous, and informative for our students, their parents, and counselors and administrators. In order to do this, we as the course teachers often have to “take our classes on the road”. In this session we will talk about several ways to promote your programs in a fun and informative way.
Participants completing the session will:
- Participants will be able to understand the different ways of recruiting for their PLTW classes.
- Participants will be able to learn about some of the different extra curricular activities that support their PLTW classes.
- Participants will discuss their own experiences with promotion of their PLTW courses.
Leveraging Community Partnerships
Michael Rubin
Tracks: PLTW Computer Science, PLTW Engineering, PLTW Biomedical Science, PreK-12 Leadership
Uxbridge High School (UHS), a small, suburban, public high school in central Massachusetts, has leveraged partnerships with local industry to create authentic learning opportunities for students and curriculum support for students. In doing so, the PLTW programs at UHS have been used to model a variety of other programs across the state and region, as the school merges these partnerships with traditional content areas in an effort to reimagine what school looks like.
Participants completing the session will:
- Understand the nexus between PLTW programs and effective industry partnerships.
- Leave this presentation with a variety of practices that can be used with faculty, support staff, families, students, and community partners to help drive improvement to learning across all areas.
- See how a whole-school approach to industry partnerships has had a positive impact on the enrollment and performance in PLTW programs.
Incorporating Game-based Learning into Your Classroom Experience
Myrtis Smith
Tracks: PLTW Gateway, PLTW Computer Science, PLTW Engineering, PLTW Biomedical Science
Game-based learning is about incorporating games into learning activities. Games provide a safe learning environment, help teach soft skills, and help create a more student centered classroom. This interactive workshop shows how easy it is to incorporate a wide variety of games into your everyday teaching. Games can be used to preview material, assessments, homework, review, and so much more. Games can be online, offline, high-tech, or low-tech. Incorporating more games into your classroom does not require a lot of additional prep and can go a long way in getting your students more engaged.
Participants completing the session will:
- Learn the difference between gamification and game-based learning.
- Learn easy ways to incorporate games into every aspect of their teaching.
- Practice using a variety of games in order to learn when and how to incorporate games into their course.
Create an Action Plan for Implementing and Sustaining a PreK-12 PLTW Program
Janet Cornell, Tiffany Shaw, and Paul Dunlap
Tracks: PLTW Launch, PLTW Gateway, PLTW Computer Science, PLTW Engineering, PLTW Biomedical Science
Discover how a school in Ohio created, grew, and maintained a thriving PreK-12 PLTW program. From its humble beginnings in 2008, Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools has steadily expanded its course offerings, trained staff, and continually increased the number of students impacted. Their PLTW program consistently achieves national, state, and local recognition, and serves as a model for schools looking to implement a robust PreK-12 PLTW program. Learn what is needed to garner community and industry support as you build and sustain your PLTW Program.
Participants completing the session will:
- Create an action plan to assist with implementation of your PLTW PreK-12 Program.
- Develop an understanding of the sequential process necessary to build a highly successful PreK-12 PLTW program and earn methods for maintaining student engagement for PLTW courses from preschool through graduation.
- Learn strategies for enlisting and maintaining financial support from community businesses, associations, and individuals.
Creating a PLTW Implementation Plan
Jamie Mathews and Stephanie Mason
Tracks: PLTW Launch, PLTW Gateway, PLTW Computer Science, PLTW Engineering, PLTW Biomedical Science, PreK-12 Leadership
In this session, participants will learn about how the DeSoto Parish School District revamped their STEM offerings using PLTW Launch, PLTW Gateway, and PLTW High School curriculum. Investigate the strategic planning that occurs between district and school leadership teams in order to increase student access to meaningful STEM programs. The collaborative effort requires creative scheduling and staffing solutions to meet the needs of the diverse student population in the parish.
Participants completing the session will:
- Identify the unique challenges DeSoto Parish Schools faced when implementing PLTW programs in schools across a district with diverse student populations.
- Use sample plans provided to determine how to best plan for future implementation of PLTW in K-12 schools.
- Be better prepared to seek support from district leaders including your Superintendent, Human Resource Manager, STEM Coordinators, or other personnel needed to successfully implement a strong PLTW program.
Rochester Institute of Technology PLTW Undergraduate College Credit
Deborah Cooper, George Zion, and Sarah Pillittere
Tracks: PLTW Engineering, PLTW Biomedical Science, PreK-12 Leadership
In this session, participants are given an overview of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) PLTW undergraduate college credit program and participate in an in-depth discussion about the credit registration process, benefits of college credit, and the transferability of credit.
Participants completing the session will:
- Understand the RIT PLTW undergraduate college credit program including: courses, student eligibility qualifications, timeline/important dates; Benefits for students; Benefits for schools.
- Understand the credit registration process including: Teacher role and Student/parent roles.
- Allow participants to ask questions and view online registration and website, (timing allowed).
Building Robust PreK-12 PLTW Pathways and Scaling Across a Metropolitan STEM Ecosystem
Martha McCabe
Tracks: PLTW Launch, PLTW Gateway, PLTW Biomedical Science, PLTW Engineering, PLTW Computer Science, PreK-12 Leadership
This session will share detailed strategies and tactics used to scale and support PLTW growth across a metropolitan STEM ecosystem since 2006. Through the support of the Kauffman Foundation and the KC STEM Alliance, a majority of the Kansas City school districts have implemented PreK-12 PLTW pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science to over 90,000 students. This robust implementation model is growing next generation STEM talent critical to support a robust STEM job market in a large metropolitan city.
Participants completing the session will:
- Learn strategies and tactics successfully used to expand student access to STEM education and the importance of inclusion for all students. Gain knowledge about the power of aligned course content and skill scaffolding, and the power of connecting students to possible career opportunities.
- Understand the power of building PreK-12 STEM talent and how it can be scaled across multiple schools and districts. Learn how increased collaboration with business and industry leaders and community partners can help create robust STEM communities of practice.
- Receive the findings from a recent Missouri High School Research Study with key findings related to PLTW students and their success.
Build Thriving PLTW Programs Through Connected Communities
Glade Montgomery, Pat Barnes, Dr. George Zion, Dave Butler, and Michelle Robinson
Tracks: PLTW Launch, PLTW Gateway, PLTW Computer Science, PLTW Engineering, PLTW Biomedical Science, PreK-12 Leadership
If you’re looking to build or expand your PLTW community presence, this is the session for you! Learn about shared best practices between industry, higher education, and K-12. Hear from community experts familiar with building effective collaboration pipelines and get answers to your “how-to” questions.
Participants completing the session will:
- Know how community connections can increase the health and sustainability of your PLTW program. Connected communities are vital to the health of PLTW programs.
- Learn how to develop and nurture school – higher ed – industry collaborations that lead to deeper career learning connections and opportunities for students and teachers.
- Develop strategies and outline next steps to take back to their communities.
Start here for Sustainable Partnerships
Jasen Ritter
Tracks: PLTW Launch, PLTW Gateway, PLTW Computer Science, PLTW Engineering, PLTW Biomedical Science, PreK-12 Leadership
If you’re new to PLTW or a seasoned veteran looking to optimize community partnerships, this is the workshop for you. From identifying community resources to building opportunities for students, this session will look at building a community partnership team from the ground up. Hear how teachers working with robust partnership teams got started and take away resources to maximize the impact of your PLTW program for the school, students, and community.
Participants completing the session will:
- Know how to start a partnership team for sustainable community relationships.
- Develop strategies and resources to support their own community partnership teams and build multidimensional opportunities with community stakeholders.
- Expand overall understanding of PLTW programs as a central resource for community connections and opportunities.
Program a pi-top: A New Option for Digital Electronics Unit 4
Carol Kinnard, Gerald Holt, Christopher Patterson, Sheila Robles, and Wyatt Dumas
Tracks: PLTW Computer Science, PLTW Engineering
Explore the latest enhancement to Digital Electronics Unit 4. We’ll introduce you to the pi-top, a device based on the Raspberry Pi minicomputer. The pi-top combines digital making and Python coding so your students can make portable real-world systems that can go anywhere. In this session, you will learn about the pi-top see many of the projects your students will build throughout the unit, including a demonstration of Unit 4's culminating problem, an escape room. All participants should bring a laptop to this session. Optional: Bring a pi-top with the Electronics Kit.
Participants completing the session will:
- Create logic using a programming language.
- Design, interpret, and/or modify a state machine based on specific design requirements to communicate the design.
- Generate multiple potential solution concepts.
PLTW Common Capstone - Open Review
Jason Rausch and Brendan Murphy
Tracks: PLTW Computer Science, PLTW Engineering, PLTW Biomedical Science
In school year 2021-22, PLTW developed and tested an iteration of Engineering Design and Development titled PLTW Common Capstone. The goal of this test was to determine if the current course could be modified to be more inclusive of students from all three pathways (PLTW Computer Science, PLTW Engineering, and PLTW Biomedical Science) with little to no disruption for current Engineering Design and Development teachers and students.
In this session, current Engineering Design and Development, PLTW Computer Science, and PLTW Biomedical Science teachers and participants are asked to provide feedback and insight on additional resources created to support a PLTW Common Capstone.
Participants completing the session will:
- Learn how PLTW Common Capstone builds on and enhances the current Engineering Design and Development curriculum.
- Learn how PLTW Common Capstone supports PLTW Computer Science students and teachers.
- Learn how PLTW Common Capstone supports PLTW Biomedical Science students and teachers.
Connecting Students to Industry: Leveraging Career-Based Learning Opportunities
Erin Dillon, Steve Peterson, Derek Read, and Keith Killebrew
Tracks: PLTW Computer Science, PLTW Engineering, PLTW Biomedical Science, PreK-12 Leadership
A panel of industry and district partners, such as those featured in PLTW impact profiles, share insights into creating and leveraging career-based learning opportunities for students. Learn how being intentional about career-based learning experiences, as well as collaboration with industry and the community can make a difference for student success.
Participants completing the session will:
- Understand how career-based learning can improve student outcomes.
- Gain strategies for creating or improving career-based learning opportunities.
Gain strategies for establishing or improving partnerships with local industry and their community to provide career-based learning opportunities for students.
PLTW Summit 2022 is a new and improved event designed to meet educators where they are and give them the tools and tips to facilitate an engaging and actionable learning experience for their students.
Join the experience on Oct. 28-30, 2022 either onsite at the World Center Marriott in Orlando, FL or virtually through our engaging and accessible online platform. Registration includes access to general sessions, workshop sessions, guest speakers, sponsoring partners, networking opportunities, and more.
