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Welcome to Engineering!

Last year was Bethlehem Area School District's first year with PLTW (Project Lead The Way), and I had the privilage to be Freedom High School's Introduction to Engineering teacher. I have to tell you that it was, by far, the most amazing experience of my nine year teaching career.

There are a couple reasons for this.

First and foremost are the absolutely amazing students who join this program. They come from varied backgrounds, with different levels of math and science skills, but almost uniformly dive into the project-based engineering curriculum with a fervor and excitement that is unparalleled.

For those who have been lucky enough to have access to a 3D printer and state of the art 3D modeling software, you know what I'm talking about. There is something about creating your own designs, problem solving on the fly, thinking of solutions while working with your teammates to make something unique, that is difficult to reproduce in a traditional background.

You can see it on their faces, in the way they enter the classroom excited to see what I've got in store for them.

That brings me to the second reason the PLTW program is so great. The curriculum is solid and it is fun! It ties together 3D modeling skills, engineering design principles, algebra, geometry and statistics by letting students problem solve using Autodesk Inventor, Powerpoint, Excel and other programs.

I studied last summer at Bucknell University to be trained in the Introduction to Engineering course and am excited to go back in two weeks to train for the Princples of Engineering class. I hear there are going to be robots!!

But while I'm listing reasons this program is awesome, I would be remiss if I didn't give a shout out to the BASD and the BAEF for investing in the program. They are funding Lehigh Valley's future scientists and engineers AND purchasing computers, 3D printers, wind tunnels and laser cutters. Anything these kids dream up to design, they will actually have the technology to create.

One of the best parts is that local businesses are already noticing. Last year we went to Rotating Machinery Services to see how they reverse engineer turbines. My students were given a tour of the facility and were able to use the FARO arm to 3D model their hands. We are so excited to go back next year. Dun and Bradstreet Credibility Corp has contributed more then $30,000 each of the last two years to help buy computers and 3D printers. Their employees are donating this money voluntarily, hoping to spark interest in the STEM in our high school students. They have succeeded!

Finally, this program lets both my students and me dream. Year one, we were state finalists in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition. We won the DaVinci Science Center Educator Excellence Award, the IU 20's Educator Excellence award, the Sigma Xi's Educator Excellence award and the Keystone Educator Excellence award.

With the addition of the Engineering club, Freedom's students will have the opportunity to volunteer at the middle school, enter competitions and events and help to write grants to fund the program.

The most amazing part is that all this invention and innovation is straight from the minds of Freedom High School students. Did you know that one of them even designed this website?

Thanks Sean Boyer!


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