Project Lead the Way, better known as PLTW is offered at SPHS, spanning from grades 9-12. The program, while having a primary focus around engineering, also offers biology, architecture,  and computer science career pathways for students to choose from. From Spell out Principles of Engineering (POE), taken by 9th graders, to Engineering design development (EDD), a class geared toward seniors, teachers equip students with college level thinking and skills. “I think that PLTW teaches kids learning, studying and applicable skills that are imperative for all the levels of higher education,” said freshman Akshay Shah, a student enrolled in POE. As the economy in America becomes more high tech and turns away from traditional manufacturing, engineers and technician jobs are becoming essential in a modernizing world. Large companies such as, SpaceX and Samsung look for well trained, knowledgeable engineers to help launch rockets and design the newest smartphones. Engineering can also be used to solve some of the world’s biggest problems, such as the creation of efficient renewable energy sources to the design of extremely low cost, hand-held, blood centrifuges that quickly determine if you have malaria. In addition, degrees in the engineering field have one of the best cost benefits because they pay so well. In 2016, the average annual income for an engineer was a little over $100,000 according to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. This is $45,000 higher than the national salary average ($55,000). The engineering sector is also projected to increase up to 7 percent by 2022. Engineering is a very lucrative and competitive job market. Even if you don’t want to be an engineer you should consider taking PLTW courses because they prepare you for a real world job, teach you to think critically, solve problems, and prepare you for the workload of college.