PLTW Software

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Access Your 2020-2021 PLTW Program Classroom Software

Please use the links below to access the software needed for your PLTW programs. The information below contains software and procedures are intended for classroom installation. PLTW is committed to providing Distance Learning in Fall 2020.  Software needed for those activities has been added in to the software needed for each class below.  Additional website access has been added to the PLTW Distance Learning Website Whitelist.  The software offerings and whitelist is subject to change, and will be added to throughout Fall 2020 as Distance Learning resources are being added. Troubleshooting documents are available here.

2020-21 Software Updates

  • Distance Learning Software: Listed in the document are websites that students and teachers will need to access for Distance Learning activities. Sites that require a login to complete activities will have their own guide with their respective course below. The website whitelist and Distance Learning software will be updated as Distance Learning is released throughout Fall 2020.


  • Several courses were re-written for Fall 2020. Hardware and software changes have been made base on these course revisions. An overview of each change is below. 
  • Design and Modeling: Tinkercad will be replacing Sketchup Pro as the preferred CAD program for the course.  This allows DM to be compatible with PC, Mac, and Chromebook devices.  The Tinkercad instructions below show how teachers can create COPPA Compliant accounts for their students.
  • Flight and Space: No additional software will need to be installed for this course.  This allows FS to be compatible with PC, Mac, and Chromebook devices.
  • Computer Science A: CSA will utilize MS Visual Studio Code as its new coding IDE along with using AWS Educate.
  • Computer Science Essentials: The transition to VEXcode V5 Blocks has been made to replace VEX Coding Studio.
  • Computer Science Principles: CSP will also utilize MS Visual Studio Code as its new coding IDE, along with using AWS Educate. 
  • Introduction to Engineering Design: Through the course rewrite, the preferred CAD modelling software has changed from Autodesk Inventor, to Autodesk Fusion 360 in an effort to become more software agnostic.  Fusion 360 allows users to save projects in the cloud, collaborate with others, and can be used on PCs and Macs.  Teacher files and resources are available in the updated course for Autodesk Inventor and teachers can still use Autodesk Inventor in their classroom. 
  • PLTW Biomedical Science: While students can still use their legacy Vernier Sensors with Logger Pro, course updates recommend moving to the newest GoDirect Vernier sensors and Graphical Analysis 4.  Graphical Analysis 4 can be used with Mac, PC, Chromebook, Android, and iOS devices. 
  • End-of-Course Assessment Installation Guides:
  • Review our change log to see information about additional minor software updates.
  • All other licensing information and procedures are located in the installation guides below.

PLTW Launch (PreK-5)

PLTW Gateway (6-8)

  • Flight and Space
    • No Software Required

PLTW Computer Science (9-12)

PLTW Engineering (9-12)

PLTW Biomedical Science (9-12)

We’re Here to Help

Questions? Our friendly PLTW Solution Center team members are here to answer all of your questions. Call us at 877.335.7589 for live, one-on-one support seven days a week. You also can email us at [email protected].