Integrating Health Careersinto the Science Curriculum

Nevin Katz, Ed. M.

Objectives To introduce methods that

integrate health career topics into the classroom

To share my experiences in helping students connect science with health career topics

Work in Education High School Science Teacher Author & Illustrator of Dr. Birdley Resource book

series CSI (Camp Science Investigators) at Hampshire

College Workshop at HGSE (Summer 2007) on using art in the

science classroom

Benefits to Health CareerTie-ins in Science Courses

Familiarizes students with real-world professions

Answers the “when are we going to use this in real life??” question for some

Encourages deductive problem solving and inquiry-based learning

Central Tools

1. Career tie-ins within a given unit2. Real-life applications of a given

topic3. Medical case studies4. Simulations of “real world”

problems5. Career research opportunities6. Building dialogue within the school

community

Biology-Career Connections

The table that is included matches a given unit of biology with relevant health careers. They can be used as a basis for:

Lesson Topics Assignments Research Projects

Chemistry Applications

You can work “real life” applications of elements compounds, and chemical reactions into the material.

How are these compounds used? Why are they used? Who uses them?

Surgery

The CO2

Laser emitsa visible beamthat cutslike ascalpel.

CO2 laser use during bone surgery (osteotamy)

CO2 laser diagram: what gases are in the tube?

Pharmacology

“Close-ups” on molecules like caffeine that affect the nervous system

Caffeine binding to a nerve cell receptor

Medical Case Studies

Starts with a realistic (and usually fictitious) situation.

Students look at various documents to piece together what is going on

Patient background form Memos from doctors Laboratory Data

Case Study Procedure

1. Case Study is read aloud2. Students develop hypotheses3. Individual research in teams4. Teams share their research5. Hypotheses are revised6. Conclusions are developed7. Presentation8. Teacher’s feedback (the answer?)

Typical Materials

Source Material (web documents, patient data, lab test results, website, computer program)

Data Tables / Worksheets for Notes

“Final Diagnosis” Sheets

Encouraging deductive logic

1. Just a few clues2. Student Presentations3. Group sharing sessions4. Collaboration over

competition

Simulation: Modeling the Spread of an Infection

Each student has three different colored cards. He / she only has one out at a time.

infected

recovering

immune

Modeling the Spread of an Infection: Day 1

Student A starts out as “infected” and holds up the orange card.

He/she taps the desk of student B next to him, giving him the pathogen.

Modelling the Spread of an Infection: Day 2

Student B is infected

Student A is recovering

Student B taps the desk of student C.

Modeling the Spread of an Infection: Day 3

Student C is infected

student B is recovering.

Student A is immune.

Data Analysis On each “day,” the teacher and

students can collect data on how many are infected and immune.

Graph is available in online packet

Students can then plot this data on a graph and analyze the trends.

Students-Teacher Dialogue

Talk to students in between classes about their goals.

Include beginning of year questions on student info forms.

If a profession shows up in a lesson, probe for student interest

Network with Guidance Counselors and student Liaisons

Health Career Research

Students research a career in health care of their choice. They write and describe:

What this job involves Required education / degrees Salary trajectory / career stages Challenges on the job Required strengths, skills, and

abilities A day in the life of

In Summary

It is possible to integrate health sciences into the curriculum through the following:

Career Tie-ins & ApplicationsCase-Based MethodsSimulation ActivitiesStudent ResearchConversations with Students