Project Lead The Way®
Biomedical Sciences Program™
Students interested in math, science, and the human body find the Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Biomedical Sciences Program a great introduction to the numerous medical fields, as well as learn how the skills they learn are used in the biomedical sciences.
Participation in PLTW, originally known for its pre-engineering curriculum, has been growing in Missouri schools since 2002. Students interested in engineering, biomechanics, aeronautics and other applied math and science arenas discover PLTW is an exciting portal into these industries. The design of PLTW pushes students and teachers into high level teaching and learning. The curriculum emphaizes critical thinking, creativity, innovation, hands-on experience and real-world problem-solving.
PLTW began the Biomedical Sciences program in response to an expected critical shortage of qualified science and health professionals in the United States. PLTW Biomedical Sciences augments existing high school science and math college preparatory programs to establish a solid background in biomedical science. The PLTW Biomedical Sciences Program is an integrated high school program divided into four sections, each section building upon the previous.
Blue Springs School District biomedical students were invited as one of twenty five schools from across the nation to showcase a project at the Innovation Summit in Washington D.C., Oct. 20-24, 2010. The trip was funded by Project Lead the Way. From left to right: Taylor Casey, Miranda Pratt, Reid Hansen and Kayla Reid.
PLTW Biomedical Sciences began in Missouri in 2007-08 with five pilot schools. As of the 2009-10 school year, there are 13 Biomedical Sciences programs running in Missouri high schools.
- News Release (11/10/2009):
New Biomedical Program Flourishing in 13 Missouri High Schools
School District / School / |
Year Program Implemented |
Blue Springs R IV School District
|
2008, 2009, 2009 |
Carthage R9 School District
|
2007 |
Fort Osage R1 School District
|
2008 |
Hazelwood School District
|
2007 |
Lee's Summit School District
|
2007 |
Liberty Public Schools No. 53
|
2008 |
North Kansas City School District
|
2008 |
St. Joseph School District
|
2008 |
School District of Clayton
|
2009 |
"They look forward to the class each time because they know they are going to be challenged and active. High school students get to work with top-level equipment that they normally would not get to use until they were in a university class. It is often mentioned during class how quickly the time flies during the period."
—Chris Adams, PLTW instructor, Carthage High School
"It [PLTW-Biomedical] is growing! We went from approximately 40 students last year to 110 this year in the first class. The parents love PLTW. They are very supportive serving on our partnership team, volunteering for speaking, etc."
—Norma Anderson, Director of Secondary Education, Blue Springs R-IV
"Kids are excited to be in class, excited about what they are learning. They love looking professional with their lab coats and goggles, as well as using the state-of-the-art equipment."
—Jincy Trotter, PLTW instructor, LaFayette High School
"Students that have gone on to college have called to say how well they are doing because of the exposure to labs they received in the activities."
—Jean Hammer, PLTW instructor, Hazelwood East High School