PLTW sells materials kits that the middle school
purchased for the activities in the curriculum. The materials
kits have to be purchased each year as students use the
materials in projects such as designing a dragster out of
wood and building a Rube Goldberg machine. Through the
use of various materials, students can see that technology is
not just electronics but can involve many different things.
Since the different projects require materials used over
several class periods, room space can be a concern.
Teachers will need storage or a large classroom for keeping
student projects and materials organized. Teachers need to
make sure that their school will support their program fully
to provide students the necessary materials.
Electronic technology materials are also necessary for
teachers to be the most effective. Internet websites, applets,
design programs, dynamic software, robotics software, and
calculators can all be integrated into lessons. Three of the
four PLTW teachers taught in rooms that had an high
number of computers for class use. Access to the Internet is
useful for students to do background research on the
problems that they are trying to solve.