Monroe High School                                Project Lead The Way  Principles of Biomedical Science 2019-2020  Course Syllabus

Ms. Boxell, Certified PLTW Instructor     Email: natalie.boxell@ucps.k12.nc.us 

1. Course Description:

“This course provides an introduction to biomedical sciences through exciting hands-on projects and problems. Students investigate the human body systems and various health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, sickle-cell disease, hypercholesterolemia, and infectious diseases. They determine the factors that led to the death of a fictional person, and investigate lifestyle choices and medical treatments that might have prolonged the person’s life. The activities and projects introduce students to human physiology, medicine, research processes and bioinformatics. Key biological concepts including homeostasis, metabolism, inheritance of traits, and defense against disease are embedded in the curriculum. Engineering principles including the design process, feedback loops, and the relationship of structure to function are also incorporated. This course is designed to provide an overview of all the courses in the Biomedical Sciences program and lay the scientific foundation for subsequent courses.”

The curriculum for this course will be accessed using the secure UCPS canvas and the PLTW web site.   Each student will be instructed on gaining access to the site, and will be given code for the site.  Access codes may not be shared with other students.  This course is copyrighted, and we have permission to use this information.  Students are not to upload any of the information from this course to any other website, or to the internet.    This includes answers to conclusion questions or results of activities.  Students are cautioned about using information that has been published to the internet by former students or instructors regarding the PBS curriculum, as this information may not be accurate. 

 

1. Course Standards/Objectives:
   1. The Mystery
   2. Diabetes
   3. Sickle Cell Disease
   4. Heart Disease
   5. Infectious Disease
   6. Post Mortem

• Must Have Supplies
  
  1. 1 - 2 inch binder, (devoted solely to PLTW)
  2. Notebook paper, (regular or college ruled)
  3. Pen, Pencil, Colored Pencils/markers—students will use these on a daily basis and there is not a classroom set.
  4. 6-8 dividing tabs (style does not matter)
  5. Ear buds/Head phones- throughout the course, students will access videos, and virtual labs to supplement the learning process. Students will listen to this information individually. Some students find it easier to concentrate on the material if they are wearing headphones or earbuds.  Students are only allowed to use headphones or earbuds during these learning experiences. 

 

1. Professional Dress

We will perform several experiments throughout the semester that will require closed toed shoes.    Our experiments also require goggles and/or lab coats.  We have goggles that will be sterilized between uses, however if you prefer to have your own pair, please feel free to purchase those.  Home Depot or Lowes is an excellent place to purchase reasonably priced goggles.  We also have a classroom set of lab coats.    Students will be participating in dissections requiring the use of scalpels, forceps, as well as working with chemicals and glass during experimentation.  It is important, especially during these activities that students behave in a professional, mature, responsible manner.   Students may NOT participate in these activities until the safety contract is signed (syllabus) and submitted and have passed the safety quiz at the beginning of the year. 

1. Behavior Expectations:

The PLTW classroom operates in an entirely different manner that most students are accustomed.  The main difference is that in PLTW, students facilitate learning.  Students do not sit at a desk and let the teacher “lecture,” them for the entire class period.  Students are giving directions, and then expected to go and seek out information.  Students will visit various web sites, perform experiments, and other various activities to facilitate the learning process.  It is imperative that students precisely follow the directions and participate in the activities in order to learn the material.  Students must take notes on the material and ask questions on the material, just as if the teacher was leading a lecture. 

 

PLTW is a high paced, highly engaging curriculum.  Students are not permitted to work on other classwork while in PBS.  Meaning, students may not work on math, foreign language, English, or any other curriculum during PBS class time.  As a general rule, students will need all allotted time to properly complete an activity, and to learn the information.  The first time, a student is discovered working on another classes work during PBS class time, the student will receive a “zero,” as a daily grade for that day, and the work will be taken, and turned in to the assigning teacher.  If there is a second occurrence, the student will receive a “zero” for the daily grade, the work will be taken and the student will be assigned ASD and the parent/guardian will be called.  Any further occurrences will result in a parent conference. Majority of PBS classwork is due at the end of the class period.  If a student is working on another class assignment, and does not turn in their work on time, the assignment is considered late, and the grade will reflect a 10% late assignment grade.   

 

It is expected that all student behave in a considerate and responsible manner in order to have the best learning experiences possible.  Healthcare is a serious business and anyone that is even entertaining the idea of a career in which human lives are at stake should learn how to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner early on. 

1. Students are expected to follow all school and district rules as outlined in both the rules and responsibilities handbook, and the MHS student handbook.
2. Students will participate in all classroom activities.

• Students will not talk when the teacher or another student is talking.

1. All back packs, and personal belongings, except for those needed for class, will be placed on a designated area in the back of the class.
2. Students are to be seated when the tardy bell rings. Students are to remain seated, except when an activity or lab dictates otherwise.  Students will remain seated until the instructor dismisses them.  Students will not stand up “ready,” for the bell.  Students will be dismissed by the instructor. 
3. Cell phones are to be on silent or off and out of sight unless instructed otherwise by the teacher and headphones should not be worn in class unless instructed by the teacher. This is a non-negotiable expectation.

• Students are expected to adhere to the MHS and district computer use policy. Students are expected to use the chrome book. I should be charged and ready for class. A chrome book will be assigned to the student at the beginning of the semester. Students should not venture to sites that are not related to the daily activity.  UCPS does monitor computer activity within the firewall, and a student can lose internet privileges, which will make successful completion of any PLTW course almost impossible. 

1. Should the student miss class, it is their responsibility to request missed assignments, test, quizzes or other class activities. The student will make up any missing work, as outlined in the student handbook. It is important students are not absent from class. If students are frequently absent it will reflect in their grade.
2. Progress reports will be available for viewing on Power School. Parents/guardians and students are encouraged to periodically monitor power school for grade updates. 
3. Students are not to use the teacher computer or the classroom phone.

• Due to the nature of the activities in PLTW, students may not eat or drink in the PLTW classroom. (Please see me for any extenuating circumstances.) 
• Students are encouraged to use the bathroom and get water between classes. If students have a medical condition/other reason and need more frequent access to the restroom this accommodation can be made with a doctor note and school nurse.
• Students are expected to treat others as they want to be treated.

1. Students are expected to remain quiet during any “over the intercom,” or closed circuit announcements.

• To decrease distractions in the classroom students may be required to place their cellphones in the appropriate designated cellphone holding location. If the student is present in class and refuses to place their cellphone in the appropriate location, the student will be marked absent and administration will be notified.

 

1. Assignment Expectations:

All work should be turned in the first time the teacher collects the assignment. Homework is due at the beginning of the class, prior to the tardy bell, and will be considered late if not turned in when requested.    Students are given a warm up activity for each class.  This assignment is posted on the Smart Board as the students enter the classroom.  This is to be completed within the first 7-10 minutes of class, following the tardy bell.  If the work is not submitted it will receive a “0” in PowerSchool.  Some warm ups will count as a daily grade, while others will be graded for accuracy or participation and count as a formal grade.  This work will not be accepted if turned in late.  If work is turned in late, students will be penalized.  If an assignment is due the following day, the following late penalty will be assigned.   

                      Assignments received more than 5 days late will not receive a grade higher than a 39%. 

 

Most assignments will be uploaded to the CMS canvas site. Assignments are accepted via UCPS on non-school days, therefore this is included in the day’s late count.   It is the student’s responsibility to check to see that the assignment has been submitted.   Should a student encounter a problem at home trying to upload an assignment to the UCPS canvas, the student is to email or message the teacher via Remind that evening with the explanation, then upload the assignment prior to the beginning of class the following day.  Students may come to class before school during tutoring time to accomplish this task.  

 

 

• Extra Help:

Students can receive extra help and/or tutoring before and after school.   The student must email the instructor indicating their plan to attend a session, and sign up for knight time in advance.  The student is expected to bring specific questions and concerns to the session.  There is no “extra credit,” in PLTW. The student is always encouraged to check Power School frequently and to bring all concerns to the teacher.  Students will receive the grade that they earn. 

• Assessments, Practices, and Grading Procedures:

Written test will be given to assess the student’s knowledge of the material learned in each unit.  Test may be multiple choice, fill in the blank, true or false, or essay questions.  Students will complete laboratory experiments and various classroom projects and assignments, which are designed to enhance the class room instruction and guide the student in learning how to comprehend written information.  Students will work independently, with small groups, and with the whole class.

1. Grades-point scale:       

Remember the final exam counts as 25% of the final grade, and can greatly impact a student’s overall course grade.                  

1. Discipline:

Attempts will be made to correct behavior in the classroom by the teacher. If a student does not follow these expectations while in class the following action will be taken; verbal warning, phone call home, write-up and/or sent to administration.

Safety Contract:

1. Conduct yourself in a responsible manner at all times in the laboratory. If in doubt about anything, ask.
2. Follow all written and verbal instructions carefully. If you do not understand a direction or part of a procedure, ask before proceeding.
3. Never work alone. No student may work in the laboratory without an instructor present.
4. When first entering a science room, do not touch any equipment, chemicals, or other materials in the laboratory area until you are instructed to do so.
5. Do not eat food, drink beverages, or chew gum in the laboratory.
6. Perform only those experiments authorized by the instructor.
7. Never fool around in the laboratory. Horseplay, practical jokes, and pranks are dangerous and prohibited.
8. Observe good housekeeping practices. Work areas should be kept clean and tidy at all times.
9. Keep aisles clear. Push your chair under the desk when not in use.
10. Know the locations and operating procedures of all safety equipment including the first aid kit, eyewash station, fire extinguisher, and fire blanket. Know where the fire alarm and the exits are located.
11. Dispose of all chemical waste properly. Never mix chemicals in sink drains. Sinks are to be used only for water and those solutions designated by the instructor. Solid chemicals, metals, matches, filter paper, and all other insoluble materials are to be disposed of in the proper waste containers, not in the sink.
12. Keep hands away from face, eyes, mouth and body while using chemicals or preserved specimens. Wash your hands with soap and water after performing all experiments. Clean (with detergent), rinse, and wipe dry all work surfaces (including the sink) and apparatus at the end of the experiment. Return all equipment clean and in working order to the proper storage area.
13. Experiments must be personally monitored at all times. You will be assigned a laboratory station at which to work. Do not wander around the room, distract other students, or interfere with the laboratory experiments of others.
14. Any time chemicals, heat, or glassware are used, students will wear laboratory goggles. There will be no exceptions to this rule!
15. Dress properly during a laboratory activity. Long hair, dangling jewelry, and loose or baggy clothing are a hazard in the laboratory. Long hair must be tied back and dangling jewelry and loose or baggy clothing must be secured. Shoes must completely cover the foot.
16. Report any accident (spill, breakage, etc.) or injury (cut, burn, etc.) to the instructor immediately, no matter how trivial it may appear. Never handle broken glass with your bare hands.
17. If a chemical should splash in your eye(s) or on your skin, immediately flush with running water from the eyewash station or safety shower for at least 20 minutes. Notify the instructor immediately.
18. All chemicals in the laboratory are to be considered dangerous. Do not touch, taste, or smell any chemicals unless specifically instructed to do so. The proper technique for smelling chemical fumes will be demonstrated to you .Never remove chemicals or other materials from the laboratory area.
19. When removing an electrical plug from its socket, grasp the plug, not the electrical cord. Hands must be completely dry before touching an electrical switch, plug, or outlet.
20. Examine glassware before each use. Never use chipped or cracked glassware. Never use dirty glassware. Do not immerse hot glassware in cold water; it may shatter.
21. Exercise extreme caution when using a gas burner. Take care that hair, clothing and hands are a safe distance from the flame at all times. Do not put any substance into the flame unless specifically instructed to do so. Never reach over an exposed flame. Never leave a lit burner unattended. Never leave anything that is being heated or is visibly reacting unattended. Always turn the burner or hot plate off when not in use.

 

Please do not hesitate to email me with any questions or concerns.  Please return the signed sheet  by both a parent/guardian and the student indicating that both have read the above information. Student will not be allowed to participate in labs until this is turned in.

 Thank you, I look forward to a great semester.

Ms. Boxell