New Health Science & Careers Elective at BHS

BHS students who think they might be interested in a health science career have a new opportunity this year: Health Science & Careers, a year long science elective. The course, which is co-taught by the dynamic duo Lisa Vlicky and Nicole Sweeney, will provide students the opportunity to explore various healthcare careers, as they learn an overview of anatomy, physiology, and basic medical terminology.  Health Science and career students will also engage in hands-on experiences for skill development.

 

Vlicky, a science teacher, and Sweeney, a PE teacher and physical trainer, bring their own special training and expertise to the classroom. 

 

“We like to make things engaging as students learn,” said Vlicky.

 

Today’s Game of the Day is meant to teach students about the musculoskeletal system: Post-It Parts

 

“In small groups, try to identify as many muscle groups as possible. With over 600 it will be impossible to get them all,” said Sweeney.

 

Without using Google, students got to work identifying muscles, labeling and sticking post-its onto a classmate volunteer.

 

“Remember, body movements are accomplished by muscles moving our skeleton,” said Vlicky.

 

As students discussed and identified muscles, they wrote down the common names, and Vlicky and Sweeney, walking from group to group, explained the scientific name and function of each: jaw (masseter muscle–responsible for closing the jaw and chewing food); calf (gastrocnemius and soleus–run from the back of the knee to the foot and responsible for walking and jumping); fingers (Flexor Digitorum Profundus–flexes all the finger joints); shoulder (deltoid-made up of three components); arms (triceps and biceps brachii–responsible for a wide range of movements, including flexion, extension, and supination). When students slowed down on identifying major muscles, Sweeney and Vlicky let them use Google.

 

The students were clearly engaged. The activity was hands-on and of special interest. For the most part, students in the class have a passion for the subject matter.

 

“I want to be a nurse,” said Rebecca Anderson.

 

“I want to be an ultrasound technician,” said Adriana Milazzo, “I feel like this class will give me a better understanding.”

 

“I want to work in nursing,” said Danella Howell. “My mom works in a hospital field–I talk to her every day after class about what we are learning.”

 

“My guidance counselor suggested this course because I am interested in this field in general,” said Deni Hulaj.

 

“I know I am interested in the health care field, I am just not sure what,” said Taylor Shkreli.

 

“I do think taking the Health Science & Careers class benefits interested students, by giving them opportunities to learn about clinical, administrative, and public health roles, while they are still in high school,” said Vlicky.

 

At the end, four student volunteers-Mia Espinoza, Rebecca Lacayo, Adrianna Milazzo, Maddie Regan and Finn Garcia–stood at the front of the room covered from head to toe in Post-It Notes. The students are ready for their next assignment: taping volunteers’ muscles and tendons for ankle injuries as would-be athletic trainers.