In an era defined by constant innovation and rapid technological advancement, the world is being transformed by the incredible power of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
Marco Antonio Firebaugh High School in Lynnwood recently opened a new biomedical facility that provides students with modern tools, such as phlebotomy machines, to explore topics within the school’s four-year biomedical and nursing career technical education curriculum. Did. The new lab is also shared with the community’s adult school and aligns with its community-focused mission by allowing people to use the space for evening courses.
Biomedical science teacher Melissa Beherano said medical assisting and medical terminology were brought into the school 12 years ago. Project Lead the Way, which was launched at the same high school in 2014, allows for a curriculum that combines biology and biomedicine. This allows students to learn about aspects of cells that lead to medical diagnosis.
“It has always been our goal to provide them with an authentic, real-world experience. We are finally able to provide them with an environment that feels like they are in a real clinic in a spacious classroom. , we are now able to do extensive experimental work there,” Beherano said.
To complete the biomedical pathway, students take a total of four courses throughout their four years of high school. One of hers is the capstone project, which is done during fourth grade. Students solve real-world problems by creating innovative solutions.
Crystal Vaugh, a senior at Firebaugh High School, said, “It’s an environment where our students can grow and learn, and I hope that in the future it will grow into a place where we can prepare for qualifications in various medical professions.” he said. “This is definitely a place where we can grow and get hands-on experience to get the resources to get certified.”
What STEM means to the Lynwood community.
Humanity stands on the precipice of a new era, a STEM-driven world where the limits of what is possible are constantly pushed to new frontiers. STEM fields have been a driving force for progress, shaping the way humans live, work, and interact with the environment.
But one quality that is overlooked is how STEM impacts the community.
Daria Duarte, another junior at the school, had previously dreamed of entering the medical field, but was faced with limited resources and a lack of guidance.
“When we stop and look at opportunities that weren’t presented to us before, it definitely inspires us and makes us want to pursue our goals and aspirations,” she said. “Before, I felt like I didn’t have that kind of support. ‘Oh yeah, I want to be a doctor, but I don’t have the means and I don’t know how I can become a doctor.'” It made me pursue what I wanted to do and how I could get there.
“Just spreading awareness of the medical field and providing opportunities and resources for students who want to go into this field… This is an area that takes a lot of determination… In our community, there is a lack of resources. I get it…before I went into medicine…going into the biomedical program, I didn’t have the kind of guidance that guided me to my interests,” Vaux said. “This program not only helps me but also other people find out what they want to do in the future.”
In many communities like Lynwood, paths into this field are often obscured by a lack of critical resources and guidance.
“A lot of us grew up in Latino families and said, ‘Oh, you’re going to be a doctor, you’re going to be a nurse.’ But there are so many different fields in the medical profession. We don’t know that there is,” Beherano said.
She explained that PLTW exposes students to a variety of medical fields and teaches them about topics such as anesthesiology, physical therapy and forensic medicine. In her classroom, students are encouraged to keep career journals that record information about various careers in the medical field.
Beherano was drawn to teaching because she wanted to instill compassion in future medical professionals. She started working as a nurse herself, but she noticed that the hospital lacked her compassion.
“Yes, money is necessary to thrive and survive, but you also have to have a caring side to be able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes,” she said.
Duarte and Vaux are on similar future paths. Duarte wants to pursue pediatrics and is open-minded about where she wants to go for her undergraduate degree. Vo plans to attend the University of California, Irvine and major in nursing to obtain her pediatric nurse license.
Firebaugh High School held a ribbon-cutting event on October 12 to celebrate this addition to the school district and community.
“We’ve wanted to make this a goal and we’re finally here and able to give our students what they deserve,” Beherano said.
