Optional Lesson: Career Exploration - Biomedical Engineering
Grade Level: K-6
Suggested Time: 60 minutes
Overview
Students will begin by exploring the field of biomedical engineering, investigating the various branches to determine what interests them the most. Then, they will learn directly from a professional who works in the field.
Vocabulary
- Biomedical engineering
- Biomechanics
- Tissue engineering
- Genetic engineering
- Neural engineering
- Pharmaceutical engineering
- Medical devices
- Medical imaging
- Clinical engineering
Objectives
- Students will learn the definition of biomedical engineering and explore its specializations.
Required Project Materials
- Computer laboratory or individual computers
- Large poster board and markers
Multimedia Resources
Optional Multimedia Resources
- Human Body: How it Works series
Before the Lesson/ Background Information
- Locate a guest speaker or two in the field. Request that the speaker(s) bring a prop or physical project to engage the students—such as an innovative medical device.
The Lesson
Part 1: Biomedical Engineering (30 mins)
- Ask students to definite biomedical engineering. Respond to ideas and definitions and discuss the main sections of the field using the vocabulary words above.
- Using the computer lab, students will explore the discipline, beginning with the links on the Dept. of Labor website and BMES. Instruct them to explore what the college program is like at Columbia University, clicking on the “Careers” tab and learning about their summer program for high school students. They can explore other programs and universities as well.
- Instruct the students to write down main points as they explore the websites.
- Assign a subdiscipline (e.g., tissue engineering) to each student, or allow them to pick their favorite. Each student will then perform their own research and share a brief summary with the whole class.
- As a class, brainstorm the skills and knowledge needed to go into biomedical engineering. Write down the ideas on a large poster paper and hang it in class.
- Instruct the students to write down a few questions for the guest speaker.
Part 2: Guest Speaker (30 mins) *
- Introduce the guest speaker(s).
- Reserve at least 15 minutes for the students to ask the speaker questions.
*If you cannot find guest speakers, arrange a suitable field trip. Active engagement with a speaker or interesting site is a great way to boost student interest at the beginning of the course. If this is not possible, have each student select a specific job title to play-act. Have them come up with skits and perform them as examples of how people with different jobs in the field may work together.
Accommodations
- Provide a visual and short definition of biomedical engineering.
- Have the student work with a partner when writing down main points.
- This partner could also be a designated writer to write down the main points the student shares.
Modifications
- Can use a pass-fail grading system when assessing the students growth.