My name is Drew Davis, and I am a proud first-year student in the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) pre-engineering program at Putnam Career & Technical Center. 

The program is arguably one of the most innovative at our school, and it offers many useful opportunities to anybody willing to accept the challenge. Throughout the program’s two-year duration, students receive 12 college credits from Marshall University, although those credit hours can be transferred to any college or university. The 12 credit hours are divided evenly throughout our program, with two courses in chemistry (Chemistry 111 and 211) and two as engineering electives (Engineering Principles and Engineering Design). The remaining content is devoted to specific branches of engineering such as civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering.

In the first semester of this program alone, my classmates and I have already interacted with computer coding programs involving VEX robotics while studying the world of physics. In physics, we have studied simple and complex machines, voltage laws, and equations involving power, thermodynamics, beam deflection, and static determinacy – and that is just scraping the surface of what there is to learn in this program. Students practice wiring, coding, and piece together persnickety VEX robotic builds involving motors and sensors. Students also learn how to navigate programs such as Fusion 360 and Revit to use in conjunction with laser cutting and 3D printing technology – yes, we actually have a laser cutter and 3D printer in our classroom! Students in the PLTW program are given free access to the aforementioned programs and technology throughout their two years in the class.

This program also offers students the opportunity to apply their newly acquired knowledge during competitions. Just this year, the second-year student in our program submitted a laser-cut ornament to the WV First Lady’s Student Ornament Competition. Submitted ornaments are displayed in the WV Cultural Center on the Capitol grounds. We are looking forward to participating in SkillsUSA competitions this year since Covid limited participation for two years prior. For second-year students, this competition involves a product created during the Engineering Design and Development capstone course. The SkillsUSA Engineering Technology/Design competition gives students the opportunity to present their product to a team of engineers for judging. 

Students have various leadership opportunities at Putnam Career & Technical Center. Some students in our class are school representatives, and I was personally selected to present information about our PLTW pre-engineering program at a Putnam County Chamber of Commerce meeting.

The PLTW program is great for people who like to problem solve and challenge themselves and perfect for those interested in a career related to science, engineering, computer science, and programming, and/or physics. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at PCTC, and even though I am still in my first semester of a two-year program, I am excited to continue the program and advance my knowledge in engineering.