Instructor-Led Professional Development
Exceptional In-Person and Online Continuing Education for PreK-12 Educators
Never Stop Learning with
PLTW Professional Development
Winter and Spring 2025 courses open for enrollment - register today!
Continued professional learning is critical to educator and student success. Project Lead the Way (PLTW) offers online and in-person classes for educators seeking to further their knowledge and skills in meaningful ways.
Developed and facilitated by expert educators, our instructor-led trainings provide hands-on practice, innovative teaching strategies, and a collaborative environment that includes time to share and receive feedback.
Whether you teach PLTW curriculum or not, we have professional development opportunities just for you. From explorations of artificial intelligence and robotics to deep dives on differentiation and problem-based learning, our diverse portfolio of professional development options empowers educators to succeed in the classroom.
Build your skills with in-person or virtual professional development that offers:
- Live sessions led by experienced educators
- Critical knowledge on topics in PreK-12 education
- Take-home resources and classroom-ready materials
- IACET-accredited continuing education opportunities
Expand Impact with District Transformation Training
Give your teachers the opportunity to connect and collaborate in a dynamic training session they’ll look forward to! With scalable options for groups of up to 30 educators, let us bring the training to your building or schedule convenient, virtual sessions. Make your next professional development day more engaging with a cost-effective District Transformation Training for your department, school, or district.
Save up to $2,970 with a group training session!
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Cost Per Participant |
District Transformation Trainings (Up to 30 Seats) |
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1-day (5 hours) classes |
$149 |
$4,470 $2,500 |
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1-day (6.5 hours) classes |
$299 |
$8,970 $5,000 |
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2-day (10 hours) classes |
$299 |
$8,970 $6,000 |
*For in-person option, fees are added based on training duration to accommodate facilitator travel.
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Developing effective assessments for the classroom is a challenge voiced by many educators. Participants will address this well-known challenge through activities that increase their capacity to design assessments. that more effectively measure student learning. During this training, participants will:
- Design blueprints and build quizzes using effective item-writing skills.
- Develop a formative assessment using standards and DOK levels.
- Build a performance-based task and rubric for scoring.
- Design a suite of classroom-ready assessments (formative, interim, summative, and performance-based) based on a unit of study directly correlated to their teaching.
All PLTW professional development classes are led in real time by experienced educators who facilitate engaging, hands-on learning sessions. Whether you prefer online or in-person environments, our classes offer innovative strategies for teaching and learning, time for reflection, and opportunities to collaborate with peers.
This training is designed for any elementary educator looking to improve their item-writing skills and build assessments that more accurately measure students’ day-to-day learning.
As an IACET-accredited provider, PLTW offers 1 CEU for this course.
DETAILS
Type: Online
Cost: $299
Time Commitment: 10 hours
To register for the course, login or create a myPLTW account and click the Professional Development icon.
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Developing effective assessments for the classroom is a challenge voiced by many educators. Participants will address this well-known challenge through activities that increase their capacity to design assessments that more effectively measure student learning. During this training, participants will:
- Design blueprints and build quizzes using effective item-writing skills.
- Develop a formative assessment using standards and DOK levels.
- Build a performance-based task and rubric for scoring.
- Design a suite of classroom-ready assessments (formative, interim, summative, and performance-based) based on a unit of study directly correlated to their teaching.
All PLTW professional development classes are led in real time by experienced educators who facilitate engaging, hands-on learning sessions. Whether you prefer online or in-person environments, our classes offer innovative strategies for teaching and learning, time for reflection, and opportunities to collaborate with peers.
This training is designed for all secondary educators looking to improve their item-writing skills and build assessments that more accurately measure students’ day-to-day learning.
As an IACET-accredited provider, PLTW offers 1 CEU for this course.
DETAILS
Type: Online
Cost: $299
Time Commitment: 10 hours
To register for the course, login or create a myPLTW account and click the Professional Development icon.
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Explore how an activity-, project-, and problem-based (APB) approach takes problem-based learning to the next level by deepening students’ engagement with their own education. Participants will explore how the APB approach scaffolds knowledge, provides opportunities to transfer knowledge, and engages students as they apply new learning to a relevant problem. put these proven learning techniques into practice as they explore the power of an APB approach. During this training, participants will:
- Strengthen their capacity to facilitate and assess student learning in an APB classroom.
- Explore and identify transportable skills related to APB.
- Collaborate with other classroom teachers to brainstorm learning strategies.
- Design their own unique learning experience that puts APB concepts into practice.
All PLTW professional development classes are led in real time by experienced educators who facilitate engaging, hands-on learning sessions. Whether you prefer online or in-person environments, our classes offer innovative strategies for teaching and learning, time for reflection, and opportunities to collaborate with peers.
This training is designed for all teachers who want to build their capacity as facilitators of learning.
As an IACET-accredited provider, PLTW offers 1 CEU for this course.
DETAILS
Type: In-person and online options
Cost: $299
Time Commitment: 10 hours
Flexible online and in-person training options available to fit your schedule!
To register for the course, login or create a myPLTW account and click the Professional Development icon.
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Are you ready to explore strategies for teaching with artificial intelligence (AI)? Whether you want to learn about the possibilities in your classroom or you’re already exploring AI, this class will build your capacity to integrate it into teaching strategies and learning experiences. Through collaborative discussion and hands-on activities, participants will:
- Learn how AI is used in the classroom—and how that might change.
- Examine key considerations for selecting and using AI tools.
- Explore ways students could use AI in their education journey.
- Use a generative AI tool to create topical questions, lesson plans, and rubrics.
All PLTW professional development classes are led in real time by experienced educators who facilitate engaging, hands-on learning sessions. Whether you prefer online or in-person environments, our classes offer innovative strategies for teaching and learning, time for reflection, and opportunities to collaborate with peers.
This training is designed for educators interested in teaching with AI or those who have been exploring this topic and would like to build knowledge and skills. Novice and beginner-level AI users will find this class engaging and rewarding.
As an IACET-accredited provider, PLTW offers 0.5 CEUs for this course.
DETAILS
Type: Online
Cost: $149
Time Commitment: 5 hours
To register for the course, login or create a myPLTW account and click the Professional Development icon.
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Differentiation: Building Classroom Confidence, arms teachers with realistic tools to adapt instruction to meet the needs of all elementary students. They learn how to adapt the development of content, instructional processes, and class activities. Participants access a robust tool kit of elementary level resources as they move from defining differentiation to deploying it in real-time. They engage in multimodal learning to explore assessment as a tool for differentiating instruction. Participants create a vision for a differentiated classroom culture and environment at the elementary level. Finally, they apply what they’ve learned to create an action plan tailored to their students’ needs.
Educators will:
- Explore strategies for effectively differentiating learning in their own classrooms.
- Examine the role of assessment.
- Create a vision for a differentiated classroom culture.
- Develop an action plan tailored to their students' needs.
All PLTW professional development classes are led in real time by experienced educators who facilitate engaging, hands-on learning sessions. Whether you prefer online or in-person environments, our classes offer innovative strategies for teaching and learning, time for reflection, and opportunities to collaborate with peers.
DETAILS
Type: Online
Cost: $149
Time Commitment: 5 hours
Multiple online training options available to fit your schedule!
To register for the course, login or create a myPLTW account and click the Professional Development icon.
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Differentiation: Building Classroom Confidence, arms teachers with realistic tools to adapt instruction to meet the needs of all secondary students. They learn how to adapt the development of content, instructional processes, and class activities. Participants access a robust tool kit of secondary level resources as they move from defining differentiation to deploying it in real-time. They engage in multimodal learning to explore assessment as a tool for differentiating instruction. Participants create a vision for a differentiated classroom culture and environment at the secondary level. Finally, they apply what they’ve learned to create an action plan tailored to their students’ needs.
Educators will:
- Explore strategies for effectively differentiating learning in their own classrooms.
- Examine the role of assessment.
- Create a vision for a differentiated classroom culture.
- Develop an action plan tailored to their students' needs.
All PLTW professional development classes are led in real time by experienced educators who facilitate engaging, hands-on learning sessions. Whether you prefer online or in-person environments, our classes offer innovative strategies for teaching and learning, time for reflection, and opportunities to collaborate with peers.
DETAILS
Type: Online
Cost: $149
Time Commitment: 5 hours
Online training options available to fit your schedule!
To register for the course, login or create a myPLTW account and click the Professional Development icon.
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Literacy skills are essential for accessing the world around us. Elementary teachers are often in a bind to find time to focus on other disciplines such as STEM. This training gives participants hands-on practice integrating literacy into STEM experiences and explores how teachers can create multidisciplinary lesson plans. During this training, participants will:
- Recognize the impact of literacy-infused STEM learning for students.
- Develop teaching strategies that incorporate literacy using a cross-curricular approach.
- Collaborate with other educators to explore how literacy standards and STEM skills intersect.
- Apply what they learn to design a classroom-ready STEM experience that incorporates literacy.
This training is designed for:
- Elementary educators looking for opportunities to incorporate literacy into day-to-day instruction.
- Elementary educators interested in learning new STEM teaching strategies.
All PLTW professional development classes are led in real time by experienced educators who facilitate engaging, hands-on learning sessions. Whether you prefer online or in-person environments, our classes offer innovative strategies for teaching and learning, time for reflection, and opportunities to collaborate with peers.
As an IACET-accredited provider, PLTW offers 0.5 CEUs for this course.
DETAILS
Type: Online
Cost: $149
Time Commitment: 5 hours
To register for the course, login or create a myPLTW account and click the Professional Development icon.
For PLTW Teachers
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Overview
PLTW educators will expand their understanding of VEX IQ hardware and software in this interactive course. During the training, participants will:
- Build a robot chassis using VEX IQ components.
- Apply the Use-Modify-Create Framework to program input and output devices.
- Learn how to troubleshoot hardware and software issues.
- Develop strategies for unpacking and organizing your VEX IQ Robotics kit.
All PLTW professional development classes are led in real time by experienced educators who facilitate engaging, hands-on learning sessions. Whether you prefer online or in-person environments, our classes offer innovative strategies for teaching and learning, time for reflection, and opportunities to collaborate with peers.
This training is an introduction course designed for anyone new to using VEX IQ Robotics in the classroom.
As an IACET-accredited provider, PLTW offers 0.5 CEUs for this course.
Details
Type: Online
Time Commitment: 5 hours
Cost: $149
Prerequisite: PLTW Launch Classroom Teacher TrainingTo register for the course, login or create a myPLTW account and click the Professional Development icon.
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Overview
PLTW educators will develop their programming skills using the VEXcode IQ platform. During this training, participants will:
- Apply the Use-Modify-Create Framework to program input and output devices on a robot chassis.
- Complete Instant Challenges using VEXcode VR.
- Configure and operate a robot chassis with VEXcode IQ.
- Learn testing, debugging, and troubleshooting strategies.
All PLTW professional development classes are led in real time by experienced educators who facilitate engaging, hands-on learning sessions. Whether you prefer online or in-person environments, our classes offer innovative strategies for teaching and learning, time for reflection, and opportunities to collaborate with peers.
This training is designed for PLTW Launch teachers who are interested in or new to programming using VEXcode IQ.
As an IACET-accredited provider, PLTW offers 0.5 CEUs for this course.
Details
Type: Online
Time Commitment: 5 hours
Cost: $149
Prerequisite: PLTW Launch Classroom Teacher TrainingTo register for the course, login or create a myPLTW account and click the Professional Development icon.
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Overview
PLTW educators will increase their confidence with VEXcode (Blocks) software, the VEX V5 or EXP brain, and assorted VEX input and output devices. During this training, participants will:
- Learn how to configure, utilize, and troubleshoot VEX devices.
- Create programs using simple algorithms to complete a variety of tasks.
- Apply knowledge and skills to solve programming challenges that require multiple inputs and outputs.
All PLTW professional development classes are led in real time by experienced educators who facilitate engaging, hands-on learning sessions. Whether you prefer online or in-person environments, our classes offer innovative strategies for teaching and learning, time for reflection, and opportunities to collaborate with peers.
This training is designed for:
- Educators who have previously trained on VEX Cortex and want an introduction to the VEX V5 or EXP system.
- PLTW educators who are interested in learning how to use VEX V5 for competition.
- PLTW teachers who have just completed virtual Core Training with EXP in Automation and Robotics and are now in the classroom, have their equipment available, and want a refresher on the basics of using the hardware and software.
As an IACET-accredited provider, PLTW offers 0.5 CEUs for this course.
Details
Type: Online
Time Commitment: 5 hours
Cost: $149To register for the course, login or create a myPLTW account and click the Professional Development icon.
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Overview
PLTW educators develop intermediate Block coding skills in a VEXcode environment which can be used in the VEX V5 and EXP VEX® Robotics systems. They explore ways to apply variables in coding, learn about functions, and build understanding of definitions, calls, and parameters. During the training, participants will:
- Explore environments, playgrounds, and the robot in the VEX VR platform.
- Develop their own code to solve a programming challenge.
- Examine functions as a way to reduce redundancy and simplify code.
Participants who attend this training should have introductory knowledge of the following:
- Create algorithms that include while loops, wait until, and repeat statements.
- Configure and program sensors to collect and interpret data.
- Configure and use the VEX Smart Motor.
- Use Boolean values and relational operators to control outputs based on sensor data.
- Create algorithms that use nested conditionals with loops.
NOTE: Participants can gain this introductory knowledge by attending the PLTW Foundational VEX V5 Training (Blocks).
All PLTW professional development classes are led in real time by experienced educators who facilitate engaging, hands-on learning sessions. Whether you prefer online or in-person environments, our classes offer innovative strategies for teaching and learning, time for reflection, and opportunities to collaborate with peers.
As an IACET-accredited provider, PLTW offers 0.5 CEUs for this course.
Details
Type: Online
Time Commitment: 5 hours
Cost: $149
Prerequisite: Introductory knowledge of the concepts addressed in the PLTW
Foundational VEX V5 (Python) TrainingTo register for the course, login or create a myPLTW account and click the Professional Development icon.
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Overview
PLTW educators will increase their confidence with VEXcode V5 (Python) software, the VEX V5 brain, and assorted VEX input and output devices.
During this training, participants will:
- Learn how to configure, utilize, and troubleshoot VEX devices.
- Create their own program using simple algorithms to complete a variety of tasks.
- Apply their learning to solve challenges that require multiple programming skills.
All PLTW professional development classes are led in real time by experienced educators who facilitate engaging, hands-on learning sessions. Whether you prefer online or in-person environments, our classes offer innovative strategies for teaching and learning, time for reflection, and opportunities to collaborate with peers.
This training is designed for:
- Educators who have previously trained on VEX Cortex and want an introduction to the VEX V5 system and creating code in the VEXcode V5 software.
- PLTW educators who are interested in learning how to use VEX V5 system.
- PLTW teachers who have just completed virtual Core Training with VEX V5 (Principles of Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Integrated Manufacturing, or Automation and Robotics) and are now in the classroom, have their equipment available and want a refresher on the basics of using the hardware and software.
As an IACET-accredited provider, PLTW offers 0.5 CEUs for this course.
Details
Type: Online
Time Commitment: 5 hours
Cost: $149To register for the course, login or create a myPLTW account and click the Professional Development icon.
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Overview
PLTW educators will expand their Python coding skills in a VEXcode environment, which can be used in the VEX V5 Robotics systems. Participants explore ways to apply variables in coding, learn about functions, and build an understanding of definitions, calls, and parameters. Individuals then practice what they learn as they interpret and adapt code. During the training, participants will:
- Explore environments, playgrounds, and the robot in the VEX VR platform.
- Develop their own code to solve a programming challenge.
- Examine functions as a way to reduce redundancy and simplify code.
Participants who attend this training should have introductory knowledge of the following:
- Create algorithms that include while loops, wait until, and repeat statements.
- Configure and program sensors to collect and interpret data.
- Configure and use the VEX Smart Motor.
- Use Boolean values and relational operators to control outputs based on sensor data.
- Create algorithms that use nested conditionals with loops.
NOTE: Participants can gain this introductory knowledge by attending the PLTW Foundational VEX V5 (Python) Training.
All PLTW professional development classes are led in real time by experienced educators who facilitate engaging, hands-on learning sessions. Whether you prefer online or in-person environments, our classes offer innovative strategies for teaching and learning, time for reflection, and opportunities to collaborate with peers.
As an IACET-accredited provider, PLTW offers 0.5 CEUs for this course.
Details
Type: Online
Time Commitment: 5 hours
Cost: $149
Prerequisite: Introductory knowledge of the concepts addressed in the PLTW
Foundational VEX V5 (Blocks) TrainingTo register for the course, login or create a myPLTW account and click the Professional Development icon.
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Overview
Building upon PLTW Launch Classroom Teacher Training, this experience deepens participants’ understanding of the Activity-, Project-, Problem-Based (APB) instructional approach and expands their capacity as facilitators of learning. During this training, participants will:
- Build effective facilitation practices for impactful APB learning experiences.
- Develop expertise in designing engaging learning activities.
- Connect learned strategies to their course content for optimal impact.
- Enhance their capacity to guide students through real-world problem-solving.
From exploring exemplars to designing their own APB learning experiences, participants gain expertise and develop strategies to lead powerful student learning.
All PLTW professional development classes are led in real time by experienced educators who facilitate engaging, hands-on learning sessions. Whether you prefer online or in-person environments, our classes offer innovative strategies for teaching and learning, time for reflection, and opportunities to collaborate with peers.
This training is designed for PLTW Launch classroom teachers (not ideal for PLTW Launch Lead Teachers).
As an IACET-accredited provider, PLTW offers 1 CEU for this course.
Details
Type: Online
Time Commitment: 10 hours
Cost: $299
Prerequesite: PLTW Launch Classroom Teacher TrainingTo register for the course, login or create a myPLTW account and click the Professional Development icon.
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Overview
The PLTW Launch Administrator Training is designed to empower administrators and district leaders to implement transformative PLTW Launch programs. Participants will gain an understanding of the PLTW Launch program and how students develop concept mastery while building transportable skills. During this training, participants will:
- Understand the transformative potential of PLTW Launch programs.
- Develop strategies to build and nurture effective PLTW teams.
- Explore varied implementation scenarios for program success.
- Create strategies for implementing or enhancing PLTW Launch programs.
All PLTW professional development classes are led in real time by experienced educators who facilitate engaging, hands-on learning sessions. Whether you prefer online or in-person environments, our classes offer innovative strategies for teaching and learning, time for reflection, and opportunities to collaborate with peers.
This training is designed for current or potential PLTW Launch administrators or district leaders (including district leaders, principals, coaches, etc.)
As an IACET-accredited provider, PLTW offers 0.5 CEUs for this course.
Details
Type: Online
Time Commitment: 5 hours
Cost: $149To register for the course, login or create a myPLTW account and click the Professional Development icon.
Professional Learning Experiences Created by Teachers for Teachers
PLTW provides professional development that immerses participants in a collaborative learning environment that challenges them to look at their classrooms in a new way.
“I thought it was facilitated very well and the trainers had a great balance of lecture, work time, and grouping people up. I felt engaged throughout the course and learned a lot in a very short time.”
PLTW Core Training Participant
“This is by far the best professional development training I’ve ever had! The material stretched me well beyond my comfort zone and energized me to take this back to our school as an upper level advanced course.”
PLTW Core Training Participant
IACET CEU and Graduate Credit Info
PLTW is proud to partner with the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) to award IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Teachers can earn IACET CEUs when they complete PLTW Core Training, as well as select other PLTW professional development experiences.
One CEU is equal to 10 contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience that has clear objectives to meet learner needs and assess outcomes. When you successfully complete PLTW Core Training, we’ll provide you with a transcript that includes the name of the course, the total number of professional development hours completed, and the total number of CEUs earned. You can view your CEUs at any time by visiting the Professional Development section of myPLTW and clicking on Transcript.
A wide range of organizations – including several states’ departments of education and school districts – recognize IACET CEUs as the official standard for continuing education and training, which allows teachers to use IACET CEUs toward licensure or certification renewal. The IACET website has a list of agencies that accept its accreditation. Teachers must confirm with their school/district administrator, state department of education, or other relevant organization whether IACET CEUs qualify as recognized CEUs based on specific state or local requirements.
Getting PLTW Professional Development
Approved by Your District
We encourage you to confirm with your school/district administrator that PLTW professional development qualifies for your training needs and may be included in any local training plan and count toward licensure renewal requirements. Here is a resource you might find useful as you make the case to include PLTW professional development in your local training plan:
- Frequently Asked Questions about PLTW professional development, including more information about IACET CEUs and accessing your transcript
Applying for Graduate Credit
PLTW partners with multiple postsecondary institutions that offer graduate credit for select PLTW programs and courses. View the current list of postsecondary partners that offer graduate credit here, along with specific application details, cost, and requirements. All graduate credit opportunities are created, managed, and issued by the offering institution. Please contact the offering institution directly if you have any questions about a specific opportunity.
Customize Your Teacher Training
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PLTW Core Training
PLTW Core Training offers top-tier facilitation techniques, emphasizing the preparation of educators to deliver PLTW curriculum within an engaging, collaborative atmosphere
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PLTW Professional Development Suite
A comprehensive range of instructional and skill-based professional development opportunities tailored to enhance the learning journey for educators across PreK-12, with specialized offerings crafted specifically for those teaching PLTW.
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PLTW District Transformation Training
Ideal for accommodating larger groups of educators with flexible scheduling options. Designed to scale effectively for the full implementation of PLTW programs across entire districts.