Your first step into engineering — learn the design process, master 3D CAD, and turn your ideas into printed prototypes.
The major focus of Introduction to Engineering Design is to expose students to the design process, research and analysis, teamwork, communication methods, global and human impacts, engineering standards, and technical documentation. Students use the design process to develop solutions to proposed problems, learning how to document their work and communicate solutions to peers and members of the professional community.
IED is the introduction course in the PLTW pre-engineering strand — a high-level elective for students who want to pursue engineering in college and gain real experience integrating CAD/CAM technology with engineering and industrial design. You’ll model your ideas in professional 3D CAD software, prototype them on the department’s 3D printers, and keep an engineer’s notebook from day one.
The course is built to complement the wider Industrial Arts program’s creative, hands-on problem solving and craftsmanship — and it assumes zero prior experience. If you’re curious about engineering at all, this is where you start.
MTHS '27
“Introduction to Engineering Design is an amazing first look into the field of engineering. The hands-on activities are what sparked my interest into engineering, and are what I believe to be one of the best aspects of this class.”
MTHS '26 · Rutgers '30
“Introduction to Engineering Design jumpstarted my engineering pathway through high school. This course builds basic foundationals skills in engineering: from the engineering design process to CAD modeling and 3D printing design. Overall, this class blossomed by interest in engineering and taught me the skills I needed to succeed in engineering throughout high school and beyond.”
MTHS '26 · Purdue '30
“The first PLTW course I took, Introduction to Engineering Design, was an awesome start to my interest in engineering. From learning the basic terminology, building my first project, and design my first 3D model, IED gave me a solid foundation to build off of throughout my high school career.”
Top design portfolios are recognized at the spring showcase and through PLTW’s national recognition programs.
AwardA bank of department 3D printers turns your CAD models into parts you can hold, test, and improve.
FacilityThe class-wide structural challenge: design, build, and load-test your own bridge until it breaks.
CompetitionPLTW ACE partner colleges offer credit, scholarships, and admissions preference for PLTW coursework.
Academic