Measuring undergraduate student perceptions of the impact of project lead the way

Numerous reports and studies have identified K-12 engineering programs as a means of addressing the “pipeline” issue by increasing interest in pursuing engineering as a career and preparing K-12 students for further study in engineering at the university level1. Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is the most prevalent high school engineering program, and is often cited as a model for including engineering in the K-12 curriculum. PLTW can trace its roots to the Shenendehowa Central School District in upstate New York. The success achieved there in encouraging students' interest in engineering lead to the creation of PLTW and, in 1997, theadoption by 12 New York State high schools of PLTW's Pathway to Engineering Curriculum.The curriculum consists of two introductory courses, five elective courses in a variety of engineering disciplines, and a capstone design class. PLTW programs are now offered in all 50 states and more than 4,200 schools with an enrollment of over 400,000 students2.