Wilson's Biomed Pathway
"The Science of Curing, One Cell at a Time" #BiomedForLife
2020-2021 Biomed Newsletter - End of Semester 1
Welcome to the Start of Second Semester!
Our first semester was filled with challenges from COVID-19 and the implementation of learning Canvas and Zoom but, despite those challenges, our students, staff, and families did everything they could to persevere during this time. Over the course of the First Semester, we have had many accomplishments that make us proud. For example, our 12th-grade students are receiving acceptances to colleges such as Dartmouth, Mt. Saint Mary's, and Tulane University. Our pathway ambassadors are working to establish our first advisory board. The average attendance rate for our students is 95%. Our Biomed Pathway Center is accessible to all students in Canvas and students are sharing their feedback in focus groups in order for staff to improve the learning experience for our Biomed Bruins. As we move into the new semester, we are committed to creating rigorous learning experiences that are relevant and connect to our pathway’s industry as well as supporting our students with technology, academic, and social-emotional needs.
This newsletter will share information about the following:
- Updates from our technical core classes on what students have learned during Quarter 2
- “Words of Encouragement” from our teachers
- Our Student Ambassadors leading an Advisory Board Interest Meeting for prospective industry, post-secondary, and parent partners
- The Inauguration reading of the poem, “The Hill We Climb,” by National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman
Our pathway community is very special and we value the relationships between students, staff, families, and our industry/community partners. Please continue to reach out to us if you need support or have feedback to make the pathway experience even better.
The Second Semester is a fresh start with new opportunities. Let’s continue striving to do our best and be our best.
Edward Steinhauser
Assistant Principal – School of Medicine and Biotechnology
Twitter: @MrSteinhauser
#biomedforlife #scienceofcuring
#GDTBAB
Our Pathway's Mission and Vision
Mission: The Wilson School of Medicine and Biotechnology fosters knowledge, skills, and values to develop informed members of society who are on the cutting edge of medicine, research, and technological solutions.
Vision: Serving and innovating ethically, analytically, and responsibly.
Happy New Year!
Our Technical Core Classes
Principles of Biomedical Science
In the second quarter, we continued on with our Anna Garcia case and are finally coming to a conclusion to solve the mystery of her death. The final scene evidence we learned to analyze was DNA before we moved on to learning about an autopsy and how information can be gathered from the decedent’s body to help determine how and when she died. Key portions of this section were on post-mortem changes in the body, using forensic toxicology to determine what was recently ingested by the decedent, and examination of the cardiovascular and nervous systems to see if there were any abnormalities that could have contributed to her death.
And the conclusion is….
Manner of death was accidental
The cause of death was a head-on collision she had in soccer practice with a teammate the day before.
The mechanism of death was a traumatic brain injury.
Case closed! Good job this semester with accomplishing your medical investigations.
Human Body Systems
We are still busy in HBS!
The second quarter brought our Identity unit to an end. We completed the DNA Detective Lab, which allowed the students to experience virtual gel electrophoresis and put their skills to use in concretely identifying the missing person from the Bone Detective Lab in quarter one. We finished the unit with Biometrics, which gave the students the opportunity to further explore our human identity.
Unit 2 is focusing on communication. The students are studying the nervous system structures, functions, and the role it plays in communicating with all the body systems. The students learned about the various structures of the brain and what those structures are responsible for. Currently, we are focusing on the nerve cell or neuron which is the cell that carries the messages around the body. Students are learning how the cells create an action potential and communicate with other neurons and effectors!
Medical Interventions
To pick up where we left off from the 1st quarter, Wilson MI students continued to follow daughter Sue Smith from the fictitious family known as The Smith Family. As a result of an outbreak at Sue’s college, we were able to quickly diagnose Sue with bacterial meningitis and treat her with the proper antibiotics. Even though she appeared to be fully recovered, we learned the incidence of hearing loss in patients who have recovered from meningitis is very high. Therefore, our next unit in Medical Interventions began a deep dive into “Hearing Loss."
MI students were introduced to the physics of sound, the anatomy and physiology of the ear, the sense of hearing, and the types and causes of hearing loss. Students investigated the relationship between sound waves and human hearing. Students also explored how differences in sound waves are translated into different perceptions of sound. Students investigated various case studies distinguishing sensorineural or conductive hearing loss in one or both ears. Then, students investigated four simple hearing tests used to diagnose hearing loss, as well as research two audiology careers—audiologist and otolaryngologist. Lastly, students learned that cochlear implants pose many potential benefits to patients with hearing loss but also pose many potential risks. Students investigated and analyzed both positions in the cochlear implant debate.
The next unit for MI students focused on how vaccines interact with the immune system. In the aftermath of the bacterial meningitis cases at Sue’s school, we were reminded how vaccination is a valuable first line of defense against a debilitating infection and can be the difference between a few isolated cases and a full-blown outbreak. Students began by exploring the historical effect vaccination has had on public health and disease prevention in the past century. Students then researched the various methods used to produce vaccines as well as simulate the use of recombinant DNA techniques to produce these powerful interventions. Moreover, students researched the field of epidemiology and investigated how to analyze disease data.
Biomedical Innovation
For Biomedical Innovations, our Biomed Seniors completed a unit focused on designing a medical innovation. Students spent time in class exploring different medical innovations and identifying inefficiencies present in the current design. The medical innovations explored ranged anywhere from a toothbrush to chemotherapy. Students discussed and collaborated with each other to identify potential solutions to these inefficiencies. For the final project, and to connect the sequence of lessons, students developed their own design for a "new and improved" innovation. Our students took on the role of a marketing team who had to pitch their idea to a group of investors and defend their claim that their design was superior.
Words of Encouragement from Our Teachers
Sr. Herrera
Mrs. Harcharic
Mr. Oh
Mrs. D'Sa
Ms. Biacan
Ms. Richardson
Sra. Dominguez
Mrs. Varalyai
Mrs. Foss
"Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right."
Henry Ford
Sra. Ta
En la vida triunfa el que persevera, el que se esmera, el que persiste, el que sabe que no es fácil, pero continúa insistiendo, y si se cansa descansa y continúa por eso es que jamás me rendí jamás me rindo jamás me rendiré – autor desconocido
In other words, those who persevere, work extra hard when things get difficult, push past their limits. When they get tired, they take a break and then keep going. You will persevere. I believe in all of you. It is not easy, but I know you won’t give up not now, not ever!
Mr. Evans
Ms. Weaver
“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” - MLK Jr.
Mr. Barnes
Mrs. Lawrence
Mr. Estrada
Our Pathway's Advisory Board
"The Hill We Climb" - By National Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman
Need tutoring?
How to Become an Observer on Canvas
Click here for written directions on how to become an observer on canvas or watch the video below.
Biomed Students Have a Growth Mindset
Meet Your Pathway Leadership Team!
Mr. Steinhauser
Stephanie Bilvado
Julie Lawrence
Upcoming Events
Feb 1 - Site-Based Decision-Making Committee - 3pm via Zoom
Feb 8 - Lincoln's Birthday Holiday - No School
Feb 15 - President's Day Holiday - No School
March 8 - School Site Council - 3pm via Zoom
March 8 - Site-Based Decision-Making Committee - 3pm via Zoom
March 8 - PTSA Meeting - 6pm via Zoom
March 24 - SAT Test Day for 11th Grade (TENTATIVE)
April 2-11 - Spring Break
April 13 - End of Quarter 3
April 23 - Report Cards released
Purchase Bruin Spirit Wear From the PTSA Bear Store!
About Our Pathway
Out Pathway's Leadership Team:
Lead Teacher: Mrs. Lawrence
Counselor: Ms. Bilvado
Administrator: Mr. Steinhauser
Are you following us on Social Media?
Pathway's Instagram: @whs_schoolofbiomed
Wilson's Instagram: @LBWilsonHigh
Mr. Steinhauser's Twitter: @MrSteinhauser
Website: lbwilson.schoolloop.com
Location: 4400 East 10th Street, Long Beach, CA, USA
Phone: (562) 433-0481
Twitter: @LBWilsonHigh