What is Project Lead The Way?

PLTW is a mission-driven organization that empowers students to develop in-demand, transportable knowledge and skills through educational pathways in computer science, engineering and biomedical science. The hands-on programming is most traditionally offered in a seated classroom environment and is currently available to millions of students in grades PreK-12 in all 50 states, D.C. and U.S. territories.

Who can take Launch’s new PLTW classes?

While PLTW works with a handful of virtual schools across the US, the organization’s partnership with Launch Virtual Learning is the first of its kind in terms of scale—PLTW courses are now available to all high school students at Launch partner school districts through the district’s Launch partnership, and they are available to every high school student in Missouri through both the MOCAP (Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program) and Launch Missouri's Workforce programs.

When will Launch’s new PLTW classes be available?

Starting in Fall 2023, Launch will offer the following PLTW courses: Computer Science Essentials (CSE); Computer Science Principles (CSP); Introduction to Engineering Design (IED); and Principles of Biomedical Science (PBS). Launch PLTW Courses for Fall 2024 are currently projected to include Computer Science A; Cybersecurity; Principles of Engineering; Computer Integrated Manufacturing; Civil Engineering & Architecture; Human Body Systems; Medical Interventions and Biomedical Innovation. Middle school PLTW is also being considered.

Where will PLTW classes take place?

Launch’s PLTW classes are offered in the same virtual format as all other Launch Virtual Learning courses, and learning will take place in our online classrooms via the Canvas Learning Management system. In addition to the traditional virtual course components, Launch’s digital development team has designed creative ways to portray the hands-on components of the PLTW curriculum into each PLTW course.