Empowering Tomorrow's Biomedical Science Professionals

Stop by a classroom in the Buckman Science building any day of the week and you will witness students working collaboratively to understand and design solutions to the most pressing health challenges of today and the future.  Our innovative Project Lead the Way Biomedical Program blends content and lab skills helping develop our students to become independent learners.

“This program allows our girls to thrive due to the hands-on engagement,” says David Tran, PLTW instructor. “It allows our students to step into the shoes of professionals and solve problems using tools and techniques they would see in the field. I love the program for its focus on laboratory skills, clinical skills and real-world applications of the tools.”  

Recently students in the Junior level PLTW course, Honors Medical Interventions, completed a project developing a plan to stop the outbreak of an unknown disease. The girls used a program called Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) to uncover this unknown illness. By inputting a provided DNA sequence, students were able to confirm that the mysterious infection was bacterial meningitis. Now the students are learning about resistance in bacterial infections and how to combat them.

Through real-world cases, students are exposed to a range of techniques related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices, and diagnostics. Alexandra McLaren (SA’23), a current student in the Honors Medical Intervention class, explained why she believes this curriculum is vital for our students, “This biomedical program provides us with a foundation in Medicine and teaches us important skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, and how to work efficiently in a collaborative environment.”

Between junior and senior year, students have the opportunity to work on an independent project with a mentor or advisor from a university, medical facility, or research institution. After completing a combination of Advanced Placement (AP) and PLTW courses, students earn special recognition, a qualification that demonstrates to colleges and employers that the student is ready for advanced coursework and is interested in pursuing careers in the Biomedical field.

 “As students progress through the course track, they are pushed to develop ethical reasoning and critical thinking skills,” said Mr. Tran. “They explore the larger ethical, moral, and legal issues related to scientific research, product development, and use in society. Our students will take from the courses in-demand knowledge and skills they will use in high school and for the rest of their lives, on any career path they take.”

According to SAA alum Kristian Connolly, RN, BSN (SA’16), ”The Biomedical Program at St. Agnes really helped me to figure out that I wanted to be in the medical field. It helped me get a head start on my career as a nurse, and I was able to be ahead when entering college. It was also so fun! Now I am working as a nurse at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”

Tara Brady, mother of Addie Brady (SA’23) and alum Hazel Brady (SA’20), shared her experience with the curriculum: “The PLTW biomedical program at Saint Agnes is second to none. Not only does it keep the girls engaged through hands-on practice, but it also educates them on current real-world scenarios. My two daughters have gone through the program, and I am always impressed at their ability to apply what they have learned to everyday life.”