Engineering Design Draft
Career and TechnicalA high school course guide for families
See it for your school: its prerequisites, what it counts toward at your school, and whether it's in your plan.
Why this course?
Engineering Design (including PLTW Introduction to Engineering Design and CAD) teaches how engineers solve problems: sketch, model in 3D, build and test.
What you'll learn
- Follow the engineering design process
- Sketch and model parts in 3D (CAD)
- Measure precisely and build prototypes
- Test, fail and improve a design
- Work as part of a design team
You'll do: Design projects, CAD models, 3D printing and team presentations.
What comes next
Which courses come before and after it, and what it counts toward, depend on each school. Your plan shows your school's.
College majors that build on it
- Mechanical engineering
- Drafting and design technology
- Robotics and automation engineering
Careers it informs most
People in these jobs use what this course teaches the most. It's a starting point, not a track.
- Aerospace EngineersAerospace Engineers use engineering in their work. O*NET rates it very important for the job.
- Electronics Engineers, Except ComputerElectronics Engineers, Except Computer use engineering in their work. O*NET rates it very important for the job.
- Commercial and Industrial DesignersCommercial and Industrial Designers use engineering in their work. O*NET rates it very important for the job.
- Materials ScientistsMaterials Scientists use engineering in their work. O*NET rates it very important for the job.
- Patternmakers, Metal and PlasticPatternmakers, Metal and Plastic use engineering in their work. O*NET rates it important for the job.