Curriculum Course Revisions

• In December, PLTW announced a new relationship with VEX Robotics to become the robotics equipment platform for the PLTW Program. This affects GTT, POE, CIM, DE and Aero. If you are offering any of those courses - or plan to for the first time in the 2011-12 school year - it is imperative that you closely review the VEX Robotics Equipment and ROBOTC Software Transition Fact Sheet. While this is exciting news, it is important that you review the detailed fact sheet to understand the implications.
• Since the Biomedical Sciences (BMS) program started, our curriculum has utilized the National Instruments LabVIEW software program to collect and analyze student data and Vernier probes and sensors to collect physiological data. We are now providing schools the option to use Vernier Logger Pro software to support data acquisition and analysis. Please closely review the Biomedical Sciences Software Update Fact Sheet to understand the implications and your options.
• AE, EDD, MI and BI have undergone significant revisions that will require updates to your classroom materials so please review the detailed instructions below.
• All other courses have had at least minor changes and the newest versions of the curriculum will provide the most current supporting documents and resources. 

• On June 1, 2011, the curriculum for Core Training will be available for download through the PLTW Virtual Academy.
• On August 1, 2011, the final version of the curriculum will be available for download through the PLTW Virtual Academy. This is the version to be used for the 2011-12 academic year.
• Please place orders for PLTW-supplied materials by June 30, 2011 to help ensure delivery before the beginning of the school year.

• While the majority of the concepts for these courses remain in place, new and exciting projects and problems have been created to engage students. Additional supporting documents have been added to each course for both teachers and students.
• If you are already trained to teach AE and EDD, a virtual update for these courses will be available via the PLTW Virtual Academy in mid-July.
• Teachers must review the course revisions prior to Core Training and/or fall classes as these revisions will require updates to your classroom materials and equipment. Review the Purchasing Manual to be sure your classrooms are properly equipped. Please place orders for PLTW-supplied materials as soon as possible. Orders placed with PLTW after June 30, 2011 are not guaranteed to arrive before the beginning of the new school year.

• While the majority of the concepts of the course are unchanged, exciting enhancements have been added to existing course materials and activities, projects and problems have been revised to reflect teacher feedback and support appropriate pacing.
• Teachers must review the course revisions prior to Core Training and/or fall classes and download the final version from the PLTW Virtual Academy after August 1, 2011. These revisions require updates to your classroom materials and equipment. Review the Purchasing Manual to be sure your classrooms are properly equipped. Please place orders for PLTW supplied materials by June 30, 2011.

• While the majority of the concepts for the course remain in place, new and exciting projects and problems have been created to engage students. Additional supporting documents have been added to for both teachers and students.
• Highlights of the major changes are listed below:
  Problem 1: Design of an Effective ER has been refined to clarify parameters of final problem.
  Problem 4: Environmental Health has been redesigned to include all aspects of environmental health and no longer solely focuses on water contamination.
  Problem 8: Independent Project has been updated to include additional resources for teachers and students.
• Teachers must review the course revisions prior to Core Training and/or fall classes and download the final version from the PLTW Virtual Academy after August 1, 2011. These revisions require updates to your classroom materials and equipment. Review the Purchasing Manual to be sure your classrooms are properly equipped. Please place orders for PLTW supplied materials by June 30, 2011.
• Teachers of BI should continue to submit feedback on the course to the PLTW curriculum staff during the 2011-2012 academic year.

BMS Participation Fee Invoices      

All schools registered to implement one or more PLTW Biomedical Sciences (BMS) courses for the 2011-12 school year have been invoiced the annual $2,000 BMS participation fee.

The invoices were mailed at the beginning of May to the district for each participating school, and are due on August 1, 2011. Schools that register for BMS courses after May 2 will be invoiced accordingly. If you have any questions regarding these invoices, please email Product Sales or call 877-335-PLTW (7589).  

Your To-Do List: Reminders for Schools   

Submit Your Purchase Orders
To ensure timely delivery for fall PLTW classes, visit the Purchasing Manual to order your equipment, supplies and software. Contact Product Sales if you have questions or need assistance. 

Register New Schools and Programs
District Delegates: If you have schools in your district that are implementing a PLTW program for the first time in the 2011-12 school year, you need to add them to the PLTW Extranet before June 1. Also, if you have existing schools that will be adding a new program, you will need to update these schools with their new program in the Extranet. Contact School Relations if you have any questions or need assistance. 

Make Sure Your District Agreement is Signed 

• In order for your teachers to receive access to Summer 2011 Core Training registration, your PLTW Agreement must be signed and returned to PLTW by June 1.  
• Core Training seats are limited so don't delay.
• Contact School Relations if you have questions or need assistance.

Register Your Teachers
District Delegates must add teachers to the PLTW Extranet in order for them to take the necessary Pre-assessments and register for Core Training. 

PLTW's Assessment Program Presentation 

During last month's Core Training Prep, PLTW's Director of Assessment Jason Taylor delivered a presentation on the Assessment Program, which we think is a valuable resource for all teachers.

The presentation provides details on the online Assessment System Teacher Interface, End of Course and Growth Assessments, reporting, PLTW's Assessment plan and how to get training and assistance with assessments. As always, if you have any questions, email the Assessment Team or call (877) 335-PLTW (7589).

• Download the presentation through the PLTW Extranet.  Once logged in, select Resources on the left-hand side and then click Details next to Assessment Presentation from Core Training Prep.