Hawthorn Middle North has implemented Project Lead the Way (PLTW) as their innovative project-based learning program that incorporates STEM. PLTW empowers students to develop and apply in-demand, transportable skills by exploring real-world challenges in an exciting and engaging way. Through pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science, students not only learn technical skills, but also learn to solve problems, think critically and creatively, communicate, collaborate and engage in social-emotional learning with peers. Students work though modules that consist of activities, a project, and a problem. They work through three main activities where they gain knowledge and skills. Then they proceed to using those skills to investigate a meaningful project before finally transferring and applying skills in a real-world problem.
Please talk frequently to your son or daughter on the status of their classwork/projects, and if you have any questions please feel free to call or email me. With advanced notice, students can work before or after school on projects, and receive extra help if they are struggling or falling behind.
- In 6th grade students will experience the PLTW module called Design and Modeling. Design and Modeling provides students opportunities to apply the design process to creatively solve problems. This class is focused on the design process which is the foundation of all engineering tasks. Students learn and utilize methods for communicating design ideas through sketches and solid models and encompasses the entire design process from idea conception to prototype development and testing.
- In 7th grade students will experience the PLTW module called Medical Detectives. In the Medical Detectives class, students play the role of real-life medical detectives as they collect and analyze medical data to diagnose diseases. They solve medical mysteries through hands-on projects and labs, measure and interpret vital signs, look at a sheep brain, investigate disease outbreaks, and explore how a breakdown within the human body can lead to dysfunction.
- In 8th grade students will experience the exciting world of aerospace through the PLTW module called Flight & Space. Students become engineers as they design, prototype, and test models to learn about the science of flight and what it takes to travel and live in space. They solve real-world aviation and space challenges and plan a mission to Mars.
Please talk frequently to your son or daughter on the status of their classwork/projects, and if you have any questions please feel free to call or email me. With advanced notice, students can work before or after school on projects, and receive extra help if they are struggling or falling behind.