Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is a multi-course national K-12 school program that centers on developing better problem-solving skills by immersing students in real-world engineering problems. The Digital Electronics course (DE) has students explore technology systems and engineering processes in order to develop an awareness of the benefits of having skills in mathematics, science, and technology. The Summer Training Institute prepares teachers for teaching DE to high school students. This UIC graduate course builds upon Project Lead the Way teacher training institutes by providing participants the opportunity to explore additional issues related to science and engineering in the high school classroom. 

To obtain four (4) graduate credit hours for this class, students will be required to do research and development in curriculum for ethics awareness in science and engineering education and deliver the following three components:

i. Develop curriculum content for the understanding of professional and ethical responsibility ABET component in science and engineering education. 

ii. Develop a classroom delivery strategy consistent with the PLTW APPB learning method.

iii. Develop a learning assessment strategy for the content.

Areas of research may include but are not limited to: history of engineering and technology; professionalism; codes of ethics from professional societies; social responsibility and legal responsibility; engineering, environment, and sustainability; genetic engineering; risk, safety and decision making process; whistle blowing; case studies; ABET outcome criteria; contemporary strategies in science and engineering ethics training; contemporary strategies in learning assessment.

The ethics study curriculum development should follow the PLTW APPB learning method.  By following the PLTW APPB learning method, student participation in the ethics study should also help develop their writing, presentation, speaking, and listening communication skills.  The ultimate goal of this curriculum is, of course, for high school science and engineering students to develop a clearer understanding of what it means to be a responsible and ethical professional in a technical field.