CITY OF INDUSTRY – Glen A. Wilson High School shared its success in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) pathways and highlighted its biomedical science program to more than 20 schools and districts nationwide during the 2022 Project Lead the Way (PLTW) National Showcase, held virtually on Nov. 9.

In celebration of National STEM Week, PLTW chose one partnering high school to lead the annual showcase, during which Wilson High teachers shared success stories about fostering career readiness skills in students, discussed transformative professional development tips for educators and showcased their fourth-year course curriculum.

“Our growth and success can be attributed to Project Lead the Way’s industry-aligned curriculum, our highly skilled, trained and committed STEM teachers and Hacienda La Puente Unified for valuing and promoting STEM learning,” Principal Dr. Danielle Kenfield said. “The product of this triangulated partnership is our students who have developed into creative problem solvers, innovative designers and persistent inquirers ready for college and career upon high school graduation.”

Wilson began its partnership with PLTW in 2014 with the launch of introductory biomedical science and engineering classes. Today, the school offers four-year career technical education (CTE) STEM pathways in biomedical science, computer science and engineering.

Students begin their journey with an introductory course, familiarizing them with human physiology, basic biology, medicine and research processes. By the second year, students take on the roles of biomedical professionals by building organs and tissues on a lifelike skeletal model and solving real-world medical cases.

In year three, students investigate the variety of interventions involved in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease as they follow the lives of a fictious family. The pathway concludes with a capstone course, providing students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to solve problems related to biomedical science.

“My parents heard great things about the biomedical pathway before I started high school and I knew that joining would help me achieve my career goals,” 10th-grade student Vaspar Gasparyan said. “This year, we get to apply a lot of the coursework we learned in the first year and have a lot of fun with hands-on group activities. If I could speak to incoming high school students, I would tell them that the biomedical pathway at Wilson not only prepares you for the future through real-world learning experiences but is a great way to meet friends and explore your passions.”

Before graduation, students also have the opportunity to work on an independent project with a mentor or professional advisor from a university, hospital, physician’s office or industry.

In addition to the showcase, the school held a Wilson Quad STEM Night on Nov. 16, which featured biomedical science, engineering and computer science learning at all K-12 schools in the Wilson community. During the event, students and staff shared club details, interactive demonstrations, student testimonials and much more.

“It’s been an immense honor to watch our Wilson students thrive in the biomedical science pathway, winning various state and nationwide competitions and applying their skills and knowledge after graduation through various college and career opportunities,” Superintendent Dr. Alfonso Jiménez said. “Hacienda La Puente Unified is also proud to introduce medical science to several middle schools with an introductory medical core class, where students will deepen their knowledge of body systems, medical terminology and bio-safety.”

PHOTO CAPTION:

HLPUSD_STEMLEARNING: Biomedical science students at Wilson High School examine the human body systems in groups during an interactive classroom activity on Oct.14.