BRHS & Project Lead the Way

Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is a non-profit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for students and teachers across the country. Through project-based instruction, students develop in-demand, transportable skills, such as:

  • Problem solving
  • Creative & critical thinking
  • Collaboration
  • Communication

  • AP Biology (824)
  • AP Chemistry (835)
  • Physics H (843) *Dual College Credit with St. Mary’s College Winona, MN
  • IT Essentials (248)
  • Code HS (266)
  • AP Calculus A/B (244)
  • AP Calculus B/C (245)
  • Introduction to Engineering Design (PLTW 881)
  • Principles of Engineering (PLTW 882)
  • Aerospace Engineering (PLTW 883)
  • Business Entrepreneurship (954)

Engineering Course Descriptions

An elective course for seniors, Capstone Senior Design promotes critical thinking and problem-solving. Students will independently design or refine a problem or project that helps solve a real-world issue.

Students dig deep into the engineering design process, applying math, science, and engineering standards to hands-on projects. They work both individually and in teams to design solutions to a variety of problems using 3-D modeling software, and an engineering notebook to document their work. (pltw.org)

Through problems that engage and challenge, students explore a broad range of engineering topics, including mechanisms, the strength of structures and materials, and automation. Students develop skills in problem-solving, research, and design while learning strategies for design process documentation, collaboration, and presentation. (pltw.org)

Robotics Club

  • Winner of the Shedd Midwest Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Regional Championship 3 years in a row!

  • Top 10 overall in 2018 MATE International Underwater Robotics Competition out of 400 teams from 20 different countries worldwide.

  • Qualified for the MATE International Competition 3 years running.

  • Underwater Robotics Partnership with Shedd Aquarium

  • Helping Hands Project – An advocacy program dedicated to creating prosthetic devices for children in need.

  • VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) VEX Competitions, presented by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, tasks student teams with designing and building a robot to play against other teams in a game-based engineering challenge.

  • Aquarius Project – Students in the Robotics Club are working with the Shedd Aquarium Field Museum, and Adler Planetarium to search for meteorite fragments in the depths of Lake Michigan.

STEM Diploma

Brother Rice now offers a STEM diploma for students who achieve the following requirements; students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 after the 7th semester.

  • 3 credits in Engineering (PLTW)

  • 4 credits Science

  • 4 credits Math

  • 4 credits English

  • 3 credits Social Studies

  • 4 credits Theology

  • 2 credits Physical Ed/Microsoft Office

  • 4 credits World Language or 2 credits World Language and 1 credit in Computer Science (IT Essentials, Web Design or Coding)

  • Active participation that meets the club requires in at least one service organization: Edmund Rice Camp, Helping Hands, Advocacy Club, Student Council or National Honors Society.