By Tess Malijenovsky
Beaufort High School’s Engineering program continues to grow as students become aware of career opportunities in fields of engineering and math. “Our country is in desperate need for engineers and so that’s what we’re trying to accomplish here, to expose students to engineering possibilities. Beaufort High School does this through the Project Lead The Way program,” said Cindy Rini, Head of School of Art Communications and Technology at Beaufort High School.
The school’s program recently achieved Project Lead The Way certification and now offers college credit opportunity for its Introduction to Engineering Design and for the Principles of Engineering courses. The courses are structured around learning from real life projects.
“These courses add meaning and realism to science and math. Communication, teamwork, creative problem solving and work ethic is developed while students learn to apply math and science skills to real life problem solving projects,” said Doug Plank, Beaufort High’s engineering instructor.
The certified program means more opportunities for Beaufort High School — more training for teachers and more educational opportunities for students to earn college credit, which can lower college costs. “By providing this education opportunity, our schools are helping to raise awareness for careers in engineering, as well as better preparing students for college and careers,” said Rini.
“Engineering makes no gender or cultural distinctions,” says Plank.  “If you like to build things, if you are a problem solver and enjoy creating products, structures or systems from new ideas to help others, then you have an opportunity waiting for you in engineering.”