PLTW Biomedical Innovation (BI)

Mr. Whitaker

Whitaker.m@deptfordschools.org

Course Description - In the fourth and final course of the PLTW Biomedical Science sequence, students build on the knowledge and skills gained from previous courses to design innovative solutions for the most pressing health challenges of the 21st century. Students address topics ranging from public health and biomedical engineering to clinical medicine and physiology. Students demonstrate their knowledge throughout the course by completing activities, projects, and problems using a variety of assessment tools, such as performance rubrics and reflective questioning, to deepen and expand their knowledge and skills.

Students should be seniors who have successfully completed the first three years of the biomedical sequence here at DHS or are taking advantage of the Biomedical Engineering option. This is a yearlong course that you are committing to complete. If you should decide this class is not for you please request to drop the course within the first two weeks of school. You will not be able to drop this class after that and may receive withdraw/fail on your transcript for both semesters.

This course was developed by Project Lead the Way, Inc. and all materials and information originated from their curriculum development. NO materials from this course may legally be posted or shared online.

Course Outline – The overall scope of the course includes the following:

• Problem 1 – Design of an Effective Emergency Room
• Problem 2 – Exploring Human Physiology
• Problem 3 – Design of a Medical Innovation
• Problem 4 – Investigating Environmental Health
• Problem 5 – Combating a Public Health Issue
• Problem 6 – Molecular Biology in Action
• Problem 7 – Forensic Autopsy
• Problem 8 – Independent Project

BI was designed to allow flexibility in timing and topics.  So I reserve the right to complete or not complete any of the 8 Problems as I determine is most beneficial to the class.

Grading of the Course - Assignments will be categorized into the one of three categories.

            Tests/Major assignments/Projects   50%

            Quizzes / Major Labs                                 30%

            Homework/Classwork/Minilabs        20%

Letter grades will assigned using the following scale: Note that this has changed from last year!

A = 90 – 100     B = 80 - 89      C = 70 - 79     D = 60 - 69     F = 0 – 59

Your final grade for the class will be calculated counting each Marking Period grade at 22.5% and a cumulative final exam at 10%.

The following supplies will be needed for this class:

• 1” or 1 ½“ three ring binder
• Loose leaf paper
• Pencils/pens
• Highlighters
• PLTW Biomedical Notebook
• 1 box of nitrile examination gloves (may need to be replenished as the year progresses)

I may occasionally ask you to bring in various supplies for labs due to cuts in the Science and Academy budgets.  This may include, items such as: bleach, poster board, string, glue, tape, colored pencils, ziploc baggies, rubber bands, etc. Thank you for your understanding in this area.

Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) - This course will be taught entirely through the Canvas LMS.  I will not have a Google Classroom or Remind account for this class.  I encourage you to download the free Canvas App for students.  This will allow you to take photos of assignments and easily submit them. Important announcements and due dates will be pushed out to you through Canvas also.

Extra Credit – I do not give any extra credit assignments for this class.  This class is weighted as an advanced track class at 10%.  This is your extra credit for enrolling in the course.

Academic Honesty - Any student found guilty of academic dishonesty (i.e. cheating, plagiarism) will receive a grade of zero for any work that is tainted.  Additionally, the instructor reserves the right to report a major infraction to the Principal’s Office for further discipline if necessary.

Assignments - Almost all assignments will be submitted electronically to the instructor through the Canvas LMS.  Annotated grades will be available in Canvas and they will be entered into Genesis Parent Access by the instructor. 

Work will be accepted up to two days late with a 20% deduction for each late day.  Time stamps in Canvas will be used to determine when an assignment is turned in and assignments will be closed after two days. They will not be accepted after that without prior explicit approval by me. I have multiple classes I am instructing and have hundreds of assignments being handed into me on a weekly basis.  I realistically do not have the ability to manage assignments handed in past their due date.  Please don't fall behind!

Long term projects or reports (assigned ten school days or more in advance) that are not submitted on Canvas or handed in before the final due date will be considered late. The grade will be dropped 20 percentage points after the class period and for each day not submitted as assigned.  If a student is absent on the due date, and a hard copy is required, it must be submitted to the main office by 2:30 pm not to be counted as late.  Medical/legal documentation must accompany the assignment not to be considered late.

Textbook – There is no textbook.  Students will be utilizing PLTW’s online curriculum to access readings and assignments. 

Electronic Devices – I utilize the school district’s Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy.  You may bring your own laptop to class to use instead of a classroom one.  Phones are permitted out in class only when approved by me and should be silenced/turned off and left in backpacks otherwise.  Phones are never to be charged in class without permission by me.  You will have your phone confiscated by the instructor if you are found violating any of the above.

Headphones – Headphones are not allowed to be out in the building at any time.  This includes wireless ones.  Please do not enter the class with them on or out or they will be confiscated and you'll be written up.

Make up Work– I understand that occasionally circumstances outside your control make it necessary for you to be absent from class. However, this does not excuse you from assignments.  You should check Canvas every day you are out.  It is your responsibility to get missed work from either myself or a classmate.  This should not be done during class time.  Being absent does not excuse you from handing in assignments on their posted due dates.  If a hard copy of an assignment or a presentation is due on a day that you are absent, you will be expected to hand it in or to present it the first day that you are back.

If a quiz or test is missed, it will be made up the next school day you are present.  Do not come in the next day planning on discussing your makeup schedule! It is your responsibility to remember makeup assessments, not my responsibility to remember to remind you.

Lab Protocols - This is a lab class and uses both living organisms and chemicals.  We also share this classroom with other biomedical, engineering, and biological sciences classes.  There will be times during the year where microorganisms are being cultured or dissections are taking place either in our class or one of the others. When this is the case, food and drink are prohibited.  This is for your safety, not to inconvenience you. Additionally, on days where lab work is being performed, be aware of your dress. Open-toed shoes and shorts/skirts should not be worn.  Long hair must be tied back.  These are standard protocols in every college laboratory class.  You will not be allowed to participate in lab activities if the instructor determines your dress could result in a safety hazard.  This could also result in a grade of zero for the lab in question.

Class Attendance – Being present in class has a strong correlation to achieving higher grades.  Please do not confuse your daily attendance for school with your class attendance!  Having an unexcused tardy to school or getting signed out early may mean missing this class and accruing an absence for it and result in the following:

• Excused absences will never accrue any penalty.  I will determine whether an absence is excused by looking at your daily attendance record kept up to date by the attendance office.
• Accruing two unexcused absences will result in me contacting your parent/guardian to insure they are aware that you are missing class and to discuss a solution.
• Having three or more unexcused absences from class in any one marking period may result in me putting in a request with the main office that you not be allowed to miss my class for extracurricular reasons for the remainder of the marking period and possibly the next.  This would include field trips and activities with other classes/clubs and participation in sporting events. 
• Attendance will be counted as a test grade for each marking period.  Each unexcused absence will result in a 10% deduction:  For example, two (2) unexcused absences would equate to a grade of 80%.
• Accruing 21 days or more unexcused absences for this class over the course of the school year will result in me requesting with the main office and guidance that you not receive credit for this course. 

Many of you are enrolled in classes at RCGC or have a job through the high school’s CO-OP program.  You are not permitted to leave class prior to its scheduled end time for classes or work.  Please keep this in mind when registering  for classes.

All I ask is that you come to class prepared with a willingness to push yourself.  This means that you make an effort to hand things in on time, respect each other, and stay organized.  I commit to returning items to you in a timely manner, respecting you, and being available to help you when you need assistance.