Sylvia Mendez Newcomers School – Pltw Gateway to Technology

Apr 2026 · 2nd Semester

Grade Level: 6 Middle school students will engage their natural curiosity and imagination in this course through creative problem-solving. Students will apply the design process to solve problems and understand the influence of creativity and innovation in their lives. They will work in teams to design a playground and furniture, capturing research and ideas in their engineering notebooks. Using industry design software, students will create a virtual image of their designs and produce a portfolio to showcase their innovative solutions. They will also trace the history, development, and influence of automation and robotics as they learn about mechanical systems, energy transfer, machine automation, and computer control systems. Students will utilize robotics to design, build, and program real-world objects such as traffic lights, toll booths, and robotic arms. This course provides a strong foundation for further science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning in high school and beyond, challenging students to solve real-world issues. This course is offered at Eastern Middle School and Welborn Academy only.