Engineering Fundamentals — The Cushman School

Overview

About the Course

Engineering Fundamentals (PLTW Engineering Essentials) introduces students to the breadth of engineering through four units spanning design and systems thinking, mechanical systems, electronics and digital logic, and geographic information systems. Using PLTW's activity-project-problem (APB) approach, students advance from structured activities to open-ended problems that require planning, iteration, and professional-level documentation.

The course emphasizes statistical analysis, mathematical modeling, and computational thinking as core engineering tools — students use Excel to analyze data and develop trend lines, build truth tables and breadboard logic circuits, and program a microcontroller. GIS technology runs through two units as a primary tool for spatial reasoning and community-scale design decisions.

Apply an iterative engineering design process to community and global challenges
Use geographic information systems (GIS) to collect spatial data and inform engineering decisions
Build and analyze analog and digital circuits; apply Ohm's Law and logic expressions
Program a microcontroller to sense and control an electromechanical system
Model mechanical systems using 3D solid modeling software and physical prototyping

Curriculum

Units

Unit 1

Inclined to Design

Engineering design process; systems thinking; project management and critical path scheduling; engineering ethics and global challenges; GIS fundamentals; natural disaster relief center design problem.

Unit 2

Make it Move

Simple and compound machines; gear ratios and mechanical advantage; types of motion and motion conversion; 3D solid computer modeling; physical prototyping with 3D-printed parts.

Unit 3

Power it Up

Energy and electricity; Ohm's Law and circuit measurement; analog and digital circuits; truth tables and logic gates; microcontroller programming; sensors; electromechanical system design.

Unit 4

Make a Plan