Pathway To Engineering™, is a four year pre-engineering program integrated into the students’ core curriculum. The combination of traditional math and science courses with innovative Pathway To Engineering™ courses prepares students for college majors in engineering and technology fields and offers them the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school.
The Pathway To Engineering™ program begins in the ninth grade and is completed in the twelfth grade. Enrollment is limited and selection is based on student interest, willingness to commit to a four year program, math and science middle school grades, and a strong performance on the math section of the HSPT. Selected students will receive a letter of invitation with their letter of acceptance to Archbishop Spalding High School. Interested students and parents can attend a question and answer workshop.
Pathway To Engineering™ courses engage high school students through a combination of activities-based, project-based, and problem-based (APPB) learning. APPB learning not only creates an environment for applying engineering concepts to real problems, but also prepares students to:
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Solve problems
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Participate as part of a team
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Lead teams
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Speak to a public audience
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Conduct research
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Understand real-world impacts
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Analyze data
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Learn outside the classroom
The first course in the program is Introduction to Engineering Design. Students in the Pathway to Engineering™ program will also be expected to complete Principles of Engineering during their sophomore year, Digital Electronics during their junior year and Engineering Design & Development during their senior year.