Course Information

2025-2026 Academic Year

CE16 PLTW Capstone

Course Number	CE16
Course Title	PLTW Capstone
Course Description	In this capstone Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Pathway to Engineering (PTE) course, students identify a real-world challenge and then research, design, and test a solution, ultimately presenting their unique solutions to a panel of engineers.
Course Lead Consultant	Brent Curran brent.curran@dpi.nc.gov
Course Status	Standard
Course Type	Adopted
POL (Proof of Learning)	Local
Credential as POL	N/A
Curriculum Date	PLTW
Hours of Instruction	135-150
Recommended Maximum Enrollment	25
Course Credit	1
Inherently Honors	No
Meets Computer Science (CS) Graduation Requirement	No
Math Option Credit	No
Prerequisites	CE13 PLTW Digital Electronics OR CE17 PLTW Computer Integrated Manufacturing OR CE14 PLTW Civil Engineering and Architecture OR CE15 PLTW Aerospace Engineering OR CE18 PLTW Environmental Sustainability
Career Cluster(s)	Health Science (HLTH) Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
Pathway Level(s)	PLTW Biotechnology Research and Development (PLWB) - Career Major PLTW Engineering (PLWE) - Career Major
Aligned Credential(s) or Certification(s)	N/A
CTSO(s) (Career and Technical Student Organization)	Technology Student Association (TSA)
SOC Code(s) (Standard Occupational Classification Code)	Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians (17-3021) Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians (17-3022) Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians (17-3023) Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians (17-3024)

Proof of Learning (POL) Specifications

CTE State Assessment: The post-assessment will be a 100-item multiple choice test administered through the NC Instructional Management System.
Credential: Please work with the specified vendor(s) to coordinate and schedule.
Performance-based Measurement (PBM): Please follow the PBM guidelines set forth in the Performance-based Measurement Guide for the specified course.

Math Option Credit

Refer to the Math Options Charts on the DPI website for more detailed math options information.

Meets Computer Science (CS) Graduation Requirement

Yes: The course meets the Computer Science graduation requirement.
Yes*: The course can be offered in both middle and high school and meets the Computer Science graduation requirement.
No: The course does not meet the Computer Science graduation requirement.

Refer to the DPI website for more detailed Computer Science graduation requirement information.

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO)

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) are an integral part of this curriculum.
CTSOs incorporate strategies used to teach course content, develop leadership, citizenship, responsibility, and proficiencies related to workplace needs.

Work-based Learning (WBL)

Work-based Learning (WBL) is an integral part of all Career and Technical Education courses in North Carolina to show curricular relevance to industry skills.
Public School Units (PSUs) are encouraged to strategically choose work-based learning strategies in alignment with unique needs, considering factors such as local employment demands, available program offerings, resources, and other pertinent considerations. Contact your local CTE administrator for more information.

WBL Courses with Academic Credit:

CTE Advanced Studies
CTE Cooperative Education
CTE Entrepreneurial Experience
CTE Internship
CTE Pre-apprenticeship
CTE Apprenticeship

WBL Activities without Academic Credit:

Guest speaker
Career fair
Job fair
Transition fair
Field trip (workplace tour)
Job shadowing
Mentoring
Service learning
School-based enterprise
Simulated workplace
Workplace challenge/Industry-sponsored project