STEM Innovations Academy of the Oranges

Biomedical Innovation

Mr. Kahn, M.Ed.

Email: Kahnmojt@orange.k12.nj.us

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Medical Interventions (MI) allows students to investigate the variety of interventions involved in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease as they follow the lives of a fictitious family. A “How-To” manual for maintaining overall health and homeostasis in the body, the course will explore how to prevent and fight infection, how to screen and evaluate the code in our DNA, how to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer, and how to prevail when the organs of the body begin to fail. Through these scenarios students will be exposed to the wide range of interventions related to immunology, surgery, genetics, pharmacology, medical devices, and diagnostics. 

Each family case scenario will introduce multiple types of interventions, reinforce concepts learned in the previous two courses, and present new content. Interventions may range from simple diagnostic tests to treatment of complex diseases and disorders. These interventions will be showcased across the generations of the family and will provide a look at the past, present, and future of biomedical science. Lifestyle choices and preventive measures are emphasized throughout the course as well as the important role that scientific thinking and engineering design play in the development of interventions of the future. Students practice problem solving with structured activities and progress to open-ended projects and problems that require them to develop planning, documentation, communication, and other professional skills (PLTW, 2023).

INSTRUCTOR:

Mr. Mojtaba Kahn

M.A. in Educational Leadership  –  Montclair State University

B.S. in Biology and Teacher Education – Montclair State University

AVAILABILITY

Mr. Kahn will be available during Advisory periods and after school between 3:30 to 4 PM from Tuesday to Friday. He can also be reached through the Remind app any time before 8 pm each day.  Responses will prompt unless personal circumstances prevent it.  

COURSE OBJECTIVES

The objective of this course is to develop students’ laboratory skills and understanding of concepts related to biological and medical fields.  This will enable students to be more prepared for college and industries related to the medical and biotech fields.  Students who successfully complete the Medical Interventions curriculum will practices and exercise the following:

Science and Engineering Practices 

1. Asking Questions and Defining Problems

2. Developing and Using Models 

3. Planning and Carrying out Investigations

4. Analyzing and Interpreting Data

5. Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

6. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions 

7. Engaging in Arguments with Evidence 

8. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information 

Habits of Mind

1. Creativity

2. Critical thinking

3. Optimism

4. Persistence

5. Systems thinking

6. Conscientiousness

7. Collaboration

8. Organization

9. Empathy

SKILLS AND PROFICIENCIES

Lab Techniques

-Aseptic Technique 

-DNA Gel electrophoresis

-SDS PAGE protein electrophoresis

-Light Microscopy

-Serial Dilutions and Concentration Determinations

-DNA Marker Analysis

-Column Chromatography Protein Purification

-DNA Cycle Sequence Analysis 

-ELISA assay

-Bacterial Transformation with Engineered Plasmids

-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

-SNP analysis using PCR

-DNA Microarray Analysis

-Biofeedback therapy administration and data analysis 

-Basic Suturing Techniques

SKILLS AND PROFICIENCIES (Cont’d)

-Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Excel, Vernier probes and sensors, Logger Pro, and other lab equipment such as thermal cyclers, vortexes, and volumetric cylinders, and micropipettes.

Objective 1:  Students will be able to explain cause and effect relationships between genetics and health, such as cancer and other diseases, precision medicine, and diagnostics.

Objective 2:  Students will be able to proficiently conduct the lab techniques listed above and model or explain the theories, concepts, and principles behind their operation.  This will be aided by the development and use of visual and physical models. 

Objective 3:  Students use quantitative and qualitative reasoning to analyze and interpret data to best diagnose, treat, and prevent certain diseases. 

Objective 4:  Students obtain, evaluate, and communicate information related to curriculum content.

Objective 5: Students will be able to draw sound conclusions based on data, evidence, and reasoning.

TECHNOLOGY

Students will be expected to bring a Chromebook daily.

Google Classroom – Links to worksheets, PowerPoints, and other class materials will be posted regularly. 

Zoom: In the event of remote instruction, links to zoom along with accompanying lesson documents will be posted in Google classroom under that day’s topic.  

Genesis – Grades will be available to students and parents through the Genesis portal. Students are responsible for checking grades and being aware of their work regularly. 

A Graphing Calculator will be useful for many labs and activities.

ASSESSMENTS:

Homework (10%)

Students should expect homework every day.  As per school policy, late homework assignments will incur a 5% per school day deduction for five days.  After this point, students can earn a maximum score of 50% for late work. Students may request an extension but they have to exhaust the intervention opportunities first (advisory, office hours, lunch, before school, etc.) All assignments are given in a timely fashion, so it is expected to be completed in a timely manner. 

Homework will be collected and graded on a 10-point scale based on completeness and accuracy. 

Formative Assessments (20%)

Formative assessments may include Exit tickets, lab work, in-class assignments, quizzes, or homework -- any kind of assignment or task that assesses understanding of a skill or topic during a lesson or unit . Students who miss these assessments must make them up the following day.

Classwork (20%)

Class activities, class participation, and assignment handouts are some examples of graded classwork. Students are expected to finish and submit classwork within the class period. If a student does not complete the classwork by the end of the period due to legitimate, unforeseen circumstances, they may submit the assignment through google class by that evening (picture sent via email/online submission).

Summative Evaluation (25%)

Lab conclusion questions, lab reports, and Tests are essential for demonstrating proficiency in lab techniques, science practices, and course content.  Expect 1-2 tests every marking period. Students who miss a test due to an absence must have a note from a parent/ guardian. Make-up tests must be scheduled within a week of the test date.

Authentic Assessments (25%)

Lab activities, projects, and presentations are to be expected. Authentic assessments are graded using separate rubrics that will be reviewed at the beginning of every assessment. These rubrics will be based on content knowledge, practice of 21^st century skills, embodiment of habits of mind and/or application of science and engineering practices.

End of Course Test

All PLTW courses conclude with an end of course test.  This will count as their final exam for this class and weighted as a test grade.  

I, the undersigned student, have reviewed with my parents the expectations of the Project Lead the Way: Medical Interventions class as outlined in the syllabus and accept the terms and expectations as laid out.

I understand that my parents may be contacted if I am found to be in serious default of my expectations, solely for the purpose of correcting the problem before my grades are negatively impacted. 

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