Project Lead The Way, Ascension Urge STEM Studies
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowAscension St. Vincent Health System and Indianapolis-based Project Lead The Way have teamed up to give students the tools they need to pursue and excel in STEM education. Starting this fall, high school students who take a course in PLTW’s Biomedical Science program will design and implement a biomedical experiment or a product. The students, working as teams, will present their projects before a panel of Ascension healthcare givers, acting as judges.
“This initiative will enable students to step into the roles of medical investigators, surgeons, microbiologists and biomedical engineers to solve medical mysteries, ultimately better preparing them to explore careers that will innovate and advance the healthcare industry in our country,” said Nick Ragone, Ascension’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer.
PLTW is a nonprofit organization that helps prepare students for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. “Providing students with access to relevant career learning opportunities is absolutely critical to the future vitality of our communities and our nation,” said Dr. Vince Bertram, PLTW president and chief executive officer.
Ragone, who also serves on the PLTW board of directors, says students will be judged on criteria such as collaboration, innovation, and research quality. “We recognize the importance of preparing more students, earlier, to pursue degrees and careers in healthcare and other high-demand industries.”
Top student teams will receive scholarships awarded by Ascension.
This initiative is available not only in Indianapolis but for students in Austin, Texas and Pensacola, Florida where Ascension has health systems.