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Westlake students demo robotics, coding as district expands Project Lead The Way
Summary
Students and teachers at Westlake Middle School showcased Project Lead The Way robotics and app-creation units, which district leaders said will expand into intermediate and elementary grades next year. Teachers described hands-on, scaffolded projects that move students from block coding to app and robotics design.
At the Westlake City Schools board meeting, middle-school teachers and students presented Project Lead The Way (PLTW) classes, demonstrating student-built robotics and app projects and outlining plans to expand the program districtwide.
Principal Britney Mechka introduced the team and described PLTW as a realization of the district strategic plan to increase STEM opportunities. A PLTW automation and robotics teacher said the class focuses on “technology and engineering,” with scaffolded weekly challenges that require students to design, build and code. “It’s really hands on every single day,” the teacher said, describing projects that teach real-world engineering and coding practices.
Students described their projects at the meeting. One student showed a model ‘roller coaster’ and explained the build and code; another walked the board through an app that expanded the classic rock–paper–scissors game by adding new options and images. Student Luke Croft explained that his class modifies starter apps and then customizes them into original projects. Teachers said many students move from knowing little about coding to writing multi-block apps within a nine-week course.
Board members asked whether students continue work at home; a student replied they do, citing experience with Blockly and drone coding with a parent-run business. Teachers emphasized strong training and enthusiasm among staff and said the program will be introduced into the intermediate school this year and brought to elementary grades next year with LEGO-based, block-coding pathways that lead into middle-school PLTW programs.
The presentation closed with board praise for the quality of student work and a note that the district and its educational foundation have supported early rollout and teacher training. No formal action was required; the presentation served as recognition and an informational update.
The board moved on to other business after a brief question-and-answer period with the students and teachers.
