Course Description: 

Students explore biomedical engineering through hands-on projects and labs that

require the students to utilize the engineering design process. Students will investigate

biomedical engineering careers, Onshape, hear from biomedical professionals, and explore biomedical engineering's influence on specific cases then strategize to design and construct actual prototype solutions. 

 

Instructional Philosophy: 

The Biomedical Engineering course focuses on making math and science relevant for

students. The approach used is called APPB-learning (activities, projects, and problem-

based learning). By engaging in hands-on, real-world projects, students understand how

the material covered in class can be applied in their everyday lives. Learning activities

will include teacher-led instruction, cooperative learning, and project-based learning. All

students are expected to participate in all activities and projects. Technology will be

used to enhance student learning, and provide real-world applications.

 

Course Goals and Standards: 

Before you dive into the first assignment, it is important to recognize the main objectives of the Biomedical Engineering course. After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the different career opportunities available to biomedical engineers 

• Provide examples of how biomedical engineers contribute to the health and wellness of individuals and society.

• Understand and implement the engineering design process. 

• Identify different biomedical engineering tools and their functions within different human body systems 

• Build biomedical engineering prototypes to be unitized in class

 

As your teacher, count on me to:

• communicate and demonstrate high expectations for you as WMAA students and to celebrate when our expectations are met.

• Provide the appropriate accountability and support with open and constructive feedback when those expectations are not being met.  

• be your biggest cheerleader as you strive to meet the challenges of the course.  

• listen and accept student feedback with an open mind with the goal of improving my teaching and the student experience.  

• be empathetic to the stresses of high school and be supportive and flexible with you in times of need.

• partner with you to create an atmosphere of emotional and psychological safety, and high classroom trust among so that we can discuss and explore an array of difficult topics together.  

• be available for extra academic support before or after school in order to look after your unique needs.  

• make mistakes and model how to respond to those mistakes in a positive and productive manner.

• be self-reflective about my teaching in order to best support my students.  

• meet you where you are as a learner and work to provide appropriate support so you can meet my high standards. 

• have fun and bring a smile every day!

 

As my student, I’ll count on you to:

• demonstrate the high expectations of the students of WMAA and accept feedback when those actions are not met.  

• understand that good grades are not always synonymous with academic difficulty or academic excellence.   

• bring your very best every day and seek to bring that out in my classmates.

• be open-minded and curious when new and at times strange opinions and perspectives are brought up or shared.

• partner with Mrs. Peterson to create a classroom culture where honest dialogue, collaboration, a focus on learning, and valuing differences is embraced by all and continually maintained.  

• be resilient in the face of difficulty.

• respond in a positive and productive manner when I make a mistake.  

• ask for help when I need it and be a good advocate for myself when I’m having academic or personal problems.  

• be self-reflective about what behaviors and strategies are working for you in this class and what areas might need to be improved.  

• have fun and bring a smile every day!

 

Supplies: 

Each student is expected to be prepared daily in the following ways:  

1. Each student must come to every class with their own charged personal chromebook

2. Each student must come to every class with a pencil, pen  and an engineering notebook.

3. Much of what we do will be through the Internet so it is vital that each student have reliable Internet access at home. 

 

Absences: 

Students who know ahead of time that they will be absent should make sure to excuse the absence properly through the office and collect their work from me before they leave. If you are sick or unexpectedly absent make sure to excuse the absence through the office and contact me the day you return to make sure work is made up in a timely fashion. It is the student’s responsibility to check in with me upon returning to class. I may have notes and handouts from class and will help students schedule a time to make up tests and quizzes. Excused make-up work will be due after the same number of school days have passed that the student was absent. For example, if a student is absent on Monday and Tuesday, all missed work is due on Friday. 

 

Late work: 

Assignments that are one day late will be accepted with a 10% grade reduction penalty. Assignments that are submitted more than a day late will be graded with a 50% reduction. If you are unable to be on campus or in class that day be sure to make arrangements to get them in.  

 

Availability:  

Email is the best way to contact me. I am available before and after school most days. However, It is best to schedule an appointment in advance. If a student feels the need for more help please contact me and we will work together toward a plan for success. I want each student to do well in my class.  

 

Technology: 

Students are only to use their laptops when directed by the teacher. Students are to only be on websites as directed by their teacher. No one is allowed to use the teacher’s computer. No one is allowed in the room without a teacher EVER!! Technology is to be used only for school purposes. Cell phones are prohibited.  

 

Safety: 

Safety rules will be followed at all times. Horseplay is NOT tolerated in the lab. 

Infractions:

1st Safety Infraction – Warning and documentation (parents contacted)

2nd Safety Infraction – Must complete safety project before re-admittance (parents contacted and referral to office)

3rd Safety Infraction – Student may be dropped from class  (parents contacted and referral to office)

 

Grades:

Each semester will have grades weighted as follows:

Classwork, Notebook 30%

Projects and Labs 50%

Citizenship/Participation 20%

 

Citizenship: 

Citizenship standards have been set in place to help students attain success in reaching the expectations in WMAA’s mission, vision and values. Rewards and redirections will be used in class to encourage behaviors for success. Please refer to the parent/student handbook for school wide expectations. All students are expected to complete and turn in their own work. Work that has been plagiarized will receive no credit. These five guidelines summarize the behaviors for success we will be working on.  

 

1.Come to class on time and prepared. 

2.Be respectful of people and property. 

3.Be safe at all times. 

4.Follow directions the first time they are given. 

5.Stay on task during all work times. 

 

I am so excited to have the opportunity to get to know and teach each of you. I know 

we will all learn and grown in amazing ways this year! 

 

 

Sincerely,  

Kaitlin Peterson

​

​

​