STEAM
Middle School STEAM
Every middle school scholar will deepen their learning with semester courses focused on the STEAM pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science. Students will be challenged to test their limits and connect what they learn in the classroom to making a real-world impact. These courses illuminates the range of paths and possibilities students can look forward to in high school and beyond. Here’s a look at what our grade 6-8 scholars will be experiencing:
Sixth Grade Scholars will:
- Apply the engineering design process to solve problems and create virtual images of their innovative solutions to everyday problems.
- Study mechanical systems and use the VEX Robotics platform to design, build, and program real-world objects such as traffic lights, toll booths, and robotic arms.
Seventh Grade Scholars will:
- Investigate energy and the environment to design alternative energy sources for reducing consumption.
- Discover computer science principles as they create their own basic apps using MIT App Inventor.
Eighth Grade Scholars will:
- Explore genetic testing and solve a medical mystery by investigating DNA evidence found at a crime scene.
- Study and apply concepts of physics, chemistry, and nanotechnology to make ice cream and clean up an oil spill.
High School STEAM
Every high school scholar will participate in Biomedical specialization. Working with the same tools used by professionals in hospitals and labs, students will step into the roles of medical investigators, surgeons, microbiologists, geneticists, and biomedical engineers. They will explore realistic situations like investigating the death of a fictional person and analyzing prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease in full-year courses.
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Biomedical Science inspires students to make an impact on the lives of those around them. Here’s a look at what our grade 9-12 scholars will be doing:
Ninth Grade Scholars will:
- Study and apply concepts of biology and medicine to the death of a fictional person by investigating medical history, examining autopsy reports and exploring medical treatments that may have prolonged the person’s life.
Tenth Grade Scholars will:
- Study human body systems to build organs and tissues on a skeletal Maniken™ and then take on the roles of biomedical professionals to solve real-world cases using data acquisition software to monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflexes and respiration.
Eleventh Grade Scholars will:
- Follow the life of a fictitious family as they investigate how to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Students explore how to detect and fight infection, screen and evaluate the code in human DNA, and evaluate cancer treatment options. Learning includes study of a range of interventions related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices, and diagnostics.
Twelfth Grade Scholars will:
- Build on previous knowledge and skills gained to design innovative solutions for the most pressing health challenges of the 21st century. Topics addressed range from public health and biomedical engineering to clinical medicine and physiology. During this capstone course, they have the opportunity to work on an independent project with a mentor or advisor from a university, medical facility, or research institution.