New this year at High School East and West is the PLTW (Project Lead The Way) science course, Medical Interventions.
In this course students study how medicine contributes to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease.
Currently students are learning about the genetic basis for cancer. This week they’re looking at the results of a simulated DNA microarray. A DNA microarray is a tool used to measure the extent to which cells are using specific genes.
Based on observed color changes on the chip, students will be able to identify which of the genes they are studying are expressed differently in cancer cells than in healthy cells. These genes would be of interest for scientists to study further.
The PLTW courses are taught by High School East science teacher Kimberly Christian and High School West science teacher Alyssa Marron.
The PLTW: Biomedical Science program offers an incredible opportunity for students considering a future in biomedical sciences or health care to explore a rich curriculum in the context of realistic problem-based scenarios. Students engage in research, collaboration, and problem-solving while developing practical science knowledge and skills.
The PLTW Biomedical Science program is expanding with the addition of the "PLTW Biomedical Innovation" course next year.
