Start your PLTW Core Training experience right by preparing the hardware and software you need for your courses. Detailed information about the requirements for each course can be found here. Here are a few general tips to get your started:

• Review the Technology Requirements specific to your course well in advance of your training.
• Work with your school or district's IT department to acquire the device(s) you need, whitelist the suggested websites, and install the software needed for the course.
• Request administrator rights to your device. This is critical to have in place so that problems can be solved with our PLTW Solution Center if you need help troubleshooting issues during your training. With no administrator rights, our Solution Center will be limited in the help they can provide.
• Complete software tutorials in the prerequisite materials.

Prerequisite training introduces you to PLTW and builds a foundation for the course you‘re taking—providing an introduction to the learning experience, course tools, and additional resources that set you up for success.  You must complete prerequisite training after you register and before you arrive for check-in.

Our goal during PLTW Core Training is to provide you with unparalleled, dynamic learning experiences. One way we do this is through the onsite support team. You’ll interact with two types of onsite experts during PLTW Core Training – Master Teachers and Training Success Managers. Master Teachers are adult facilitation professionals and PLTW content experts; they are your go-to resource for anything related to PLTW curriculum and instruction. PLTW Training Success Managers serve as the daily onsite point-of-contact and event lead for Master Teachers, participants, the PLTW team, and Training Partner or venue staff; they are the go-to resource for any other questions you have about the training experience.

Check-in

Check-in gives you an opportunity to get your bearings at the training venue, meet the training support staff and Master Teachers, ensure your technology is working, and learn more about PLTW and what to expect during the training experience.

Check-In Details

What happens during check-in?

Check-in and orientation give you an opportunity to get your bearings at the training venue, meet the training support staff and Master Teachers, ensure your technology is working, and learn more about PLTW and what to expect during the training experience.

Please complete all prerequisite training before you arrive. You'll want to have your laptop with charger and a photo ID to check-in so that you can:

• Receive your room assignment for training
• Connect your laptop to the onsite printers and verify that your technology is working properly
• Ask any additional questions you may have about the venue

For all training sessions that begin on a Monday, check-in times are:

Sunday | 2-4 p.m. Local Time
Monday | 7:30-8 a.m. Local Time

Check-in is required for all participants. For those who are attending PLTW Core Training for the first time, it’s especially helpful to arrive for check-in the day prior to allow extra time to get to know the venue and verify that your technology is working.

Orientation Details

We host an all-participant orientation for most courses the morning of the first day of training from 8–8:45 a.m. During orientation, you’ll hear more about PLTW, PLTW Professional Development, and the support and community that teachers have once they leave training. Please be sure to enjoy breakfast at your hotel before training.

Orientation is required for all participants. 

Housing

We are pleased to offer negotiated rates for PLTW Core Training participants at the below hotel.

One of the key benefits of booking the hotel we identify is that you’ll be with other participants and Master Teachers – it’s a great way to build your community. Additionally, we have worked with the hotel to enhance your overall experience with things like complimentary breakfast and Wi-Fi, and comfortable shared spaces for evening study sessions.

Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing

8787 Keystone Crossing

Indianapolis, IN 46240

• Phone: 888-627-7814
• 6 miles to McKenzie Career Center
• Rates: $159 per night plus 17% taxes
• Week of June 26
• Week of July 10
• Week of July 17
• Week of July 24
• Rate includes Complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi, fitness center access, 20% discount in Keystone Café
• Parking: Complimentary self-parking in attached garage
• To make a reservation, click on this booking link.

Any nights needed outside of the dates listed above, must make a separate reservation with the link matching your dates. The hotel will make sure you do not have to change rooms with the separate reservation, if possible.

Please note that the rates quoted are subject to availability. You must provide a credit card to secure your reservation; the credit card will not be charged when you make your reservation. Upon check-in, you will need to provide a credit card for payment. You may also submit a completed and signed credit card authorization form for your selected hotel prior to arrival to cover any or all expenses.

Suggested Packing List

We have assembled a list of items based on previous participant and training partner feedback that could help PLTW Core Training feel more like a home away from home.

Attire and Personal Items

• Casual clothing. You may wish to bring a sweater or sweatshirt for comfort in air-conditioned buildings. Please remember that we require long pants or pants that extend to the ankle and closed toed shoes in the laboratories. Shorts are fine for after class and weekends.
• Comfortable walking shoes.

Optional Miscellaneous Items

• Digital camera, cell phone and/or equipment to download pictures to your laptop (highly recommended)
• Pens, pencils, erasers, highlighters
• Spiral notebook or notepad
• Scientific calculator
• Personal emergency information (doctor/insurance/emergency contacts)
• Umbrella

Meals

Your tuition fee includes lunch, snacks, and drinks. There are a variety of healthy snack and drink options available during sessions. When you register, you’ll have the opportunity to let us know about any dietary needs and restrictions. We can meet dietary needs upon request.

Breakfast is included with your stay at the hotel.

Dinner is not included in the tuition fee. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the area and enjoy local restaurants.

Local Area Restaurants

Benihana

8830 Keystone Crossing

317.846.2495

$$$

Noodles and Company

8702 Keystone Crossing

317.574.1770

$

Bru Burger Bar

8711 River Crossing Blvd., Suite 150

317.300.6618

$$

Travel by Car

I-70 W

• Keep right at the fork to continue on I-70 W, follow signs for Dayton
• Take exit 90 to merge onto I-465 N/I-69
• Take exit 40 for Shadeland Ave
• Continue onto Shadeland Ave
• Turn right onto E 75th St

I-70 E

• Take exit 89 for Shadeland Ave toward I-465
• Keep left, follow signs for Interstate 465 N/Interstate 465 S
• Keep left at the fork, follow signs for I-465 N and merge onto I-465 N/I-69
• Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 40 for Shadeland Ave
• Turn right onto E 75th St

I-74 E

• I-55 S/I-74 E exit toward St Louis/Indianapolis
• Merge onto I-55 S/I-74
• Keep left at the fork to continue on I-74/US-51 S, follow signs for Interstate 74 E/Indianapolis/Decatur
• Take exit 39 toward IN-32 E
• Turn right to merge onto I-65 S/US-52 E toward Indianapolis
• Follow I-65 S/US-52 E, I-865 E and I-465 E to Binford Blvd in Indianapolis. Take exit 37A from I-465 E
• Take E 75th St to your destination

Travel by Air

Indianapolis International Airport (IND).
The airport is located 29 miles from McKenzie Career Center and is 34 minutes away. The airport is 28 miles away from the Kern-Liebich Center and is 34 minutes away. Travel times vary throughout the day.

Local Area

Shopping | The Fashion Mall at Keystone Crossing

Suggested Weekend Activities

• Indianapolis Zoo
• White River State Park
• White River Gardens
• Central Canal
• Indiana State Museum
• Eiteljorg Museum
• Indiana War Memorial
• Monument Soldiers & Sailors Monument
• Col. Eli Lilly Civil War Museum
• Indianapolis Children's Museum
• NCAA Hall of Champions
• IMAX Theater @ IN State Museum
• Victory Field
• Lucas Oil Stadium

Earning IACET CEUs Issued by PLTW

PLTW is proud to partner with the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) to award IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Teachers can earn IACET CEUs when they complete Core Training, as well as select other PLTW professional development experiences.

One CEU is equal to 10 contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience that has clear objectives to meet learner needs and assess outcomes. When you successfully complete Core Training, we’ll provide you with a transcript that includes the name of the course, the total number of professional development hours completed, and the total number of CEUs earned. You can view your CEUs at any time by visiting the Professional Development section of myPLTW and clicking on Transcript.

A wide range of organizations – including several states’ departments of education and school districts – recognize IACET CEUs as the official standard for continuing education and training, which allows teachers to use IACET CEUs toward licensure or certification renewal. The IACET website has a list of agencies that accept its accreditation. Teachers must confirm with their school/district administrator, state department of education, or other relevant organization if IACET CEUs qualify as recognized CEUs based on specific state or local requirements. 

Getting PLTW Professional Development Approved by Your District 

We encourage you to confirm with your school/district administrator that PLTW Core Training qualifies for your training needs and may be included in any local training plan and count toward licensure renewal requirements. Here are some resources you might find useful as you make the case to include PLTW Core Training in your local training plan: 

• PLTW Core Training Overview   

• Frequently Asked Questions about PLTW PD, including more information about IACET CEUs and accessing your transcript

Applying for Graduate Credit

Project Lead The Way partners with multiple postsecondary institutions that offer graduate credit for select PLTW programs and courses. View the current list of postsecondary partners that offer graduate credit here, along with specific application details, cost, and requirements. All graduate credit opportunities are created, managed, and issued by the offering institution. Please contact the offering institution directly if you have any questions about a specific opportunity.

Participant Cancellations or Substitutions

Attendance at PLTW Core Training is required to earn the credential. Individuals can cancel their training registration with no penalty up to 21 days prior to the first scheduled day of training. You can make participant substitutions up to 72 hours prior to the start of the event if participants come prepared with the necessary technology and complete all prerequisite assignments. Once training has started, you cannot make substitutions.

Cancellations made within 21 days of the event incur the full training fee. If you do not cancel, make a timely substitution, or do not attend, you are responsible for full payment of the training fee. We cannot apply funds paid towards a cancellation or substitution fee to future training events. Payment is required even if you don’t successfully complete training and earn the credential.

PLTW Schedule Changes

To enable you to plan effectively, we strive to avoid cancelling or changing training events after participants have registered. However, from time to time, PLTW may cancel a training event if the experience does not meet our quality standards due to insufficient registrations, equipment availability, or other reasons. PLTW reserves the right to cancel or change a class at any time but will provide at least 21 days’ notice of the cancellation or change, whenever possible. In the event of a cancellation, PLTW will work to promptly accommodate all registered trainees through an alternative training option. PLTW is not responsible for any costs that may be incurred due to the cancellation of a scheduled class such as cancellation penalties for transportation or accommodations.