A new class is expanding Windsor Central High School’s Health Science pathway. Students interested in a career in the medical field can now take PTLW Human Body Systems.
The course explores how the systems of the body work together to keep us well. Students design experiments, investigate the structures and functions of the human body, and use data acquisition software to monitor body functions such as muscle movement, reflex and voluntary action, and respiration.
“Part of the class is them researching different careers. Today, for example, we are talking about forensic anthropologists. Many of the activities they do, they’re learning real-world skills. They’re collecting data, drawing conclusions, working in teams. The course highlights all of the 21-century learning skills,” said teacher Laurie Hulbert.
According to Project Lead the Way (PLTW), students practice problem solving with structured activities and progress to open-ended projects and problems that require them to develop planning, documentation, communication, and other professional skills.
“I want to go into kinesiology, but not sure what after that. This course will let me know if I really want that. It will get me familiar with how body moves and works. This course helps me with what I want to do,” said WCHS senior Ava Sacco.
“I’m open. I’m looking at exercise science. In this class, I get to see everything. I actually enjoy this stuff. It’s grown my interest because I find the human body so interesting, to see how everything is. Mrs. Hulbert was saying there’s a whole different kind of language for just the body,” said WCHS senior Darby Morgan.
The class has drawn a mix of students.
“A lot of the kids are interested in health careers, a lot like science and hands-on science courses, and, for some, it just sounded like something that was interesting to them,” said Mrs. Hulbert.
Morgan is considering the University at Buffalo and SUNY Cortland because of their Exercise Science programs. Sacco is doing the same for Louisiana State University because of its Kinesiology program. The Human Body Systems course should have them well-prepared to begin their study in college.
“It’s a unique course. I don’t know what other schools offer this,” said Sacco.
“Just the terminology, having that background info when they see it in a college course, they’ll be one up over people who have never seen those terms,” said Mrs. Hulbert.