Introduction to Engineering Design

Introduction to Engineering Design, also known as IED, is a PLTW course that teaches the concepts of engineering in general (eg. drafting, spreadsheets, etc.). By comparison, Principles of Engineering introduces students to the actual content in a few engineering fields.

Course Catalog Description

This course will introduce students to foundational concepts of design and engineering. The course is based on curriculum provided by Project Lead the Way (PLTW) and has been customized to address Gunn High School’s Silicon Valley student population and equipment, including a state-of-the-art 3D printer. Topics include the process of design, technical sketching, CAD (computer-aided design), dimensional analysis, statistical analysis using Microsoft Excel, tolerances, reverse engineering and 3D printing. Students develop personal engineering notebooks that document skills and designs, including several projects printed on the 3D printer. Teamwork and communication skills are developed through group projects. Students in this course have the opportunity to compete in regional and statewide PLTW design competitions hosted by local tech companies and universities. Students who enroll in and complete Introduction to Engineering Design will be given special consideration during the selection process for the Gunn Robotics Team (GRT).

• Prior Recommended Course(s): Successful completion of Algebra I. Concurrent enrollment in a college preparatory math AND science course
• Homework Expectation: Students are given class time and resources to complete assignments. Some students may need additional time at home.

Should I take this course?

This is one of the few engineering courses available to 9th graders. It is also the only 9th grade engineering course that feeds into GRT, though completion by no means guarantees admission.