Implementation of a Biomedical Engineering Summer Program for High School Students

Judy L. Cezeaux; Michael J. Rust; Robert Gettens; Richard D. Beach; Jason A Criscuolo

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Conference: 2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Vancouver, BC
Publication Date: June 26, 2011
Start Date: June 26, 2011
End Date: June 29, 2011
ISSN: 2153-5965
Conference Session: Experiential Learning and Globalization in BME
Tagged Division: Biomedical
Page Count: 17
Page Numbers: 22.807.1 - 22.807.17
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--18088
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/18088
Download Count: 524

Dr. Richard D. Beach earned his Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Connecticut in 2000, Dr. Beach also has an MS Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY and B.S. Electrical Engineering from Fairfield University, Fairfield, Connecticut.

Prior to his faculty position as Visiting Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Western New England College, Dr. Beach was an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Research Associate at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Before this he was a Research Instructor and Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in the Radiology Department, Division of Nuclear Medicine, in the Medical Physics Group. Earlier Research Instructor and Postdoctoral Fellow work was also done at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT and University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington, CT, respectively.

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Jason A Criscuolo Western New England College

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Abstract

Implementation of a Biomedical Engineering Summer Program for Elite High School StudentsThe biomedical engineering program at xxxxxxxx recently hosted its first residential summerprogram for high school students. Objectives of this program were 1) to introduce students to thebreadth and depth of the field of biomedical engineering, 2) to introduce students to careerchoices available to persons obtaining an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering, and3) to introduce students to the educational opportunities available within the biomedicalengineering program at xxxxxxxx.Participants were recruited via post card or email. Post cards were sent to rising juniors andseniors who had selected biomedical engineering as their first choice of college major on eitherthe SAT or PSAT. An email was sent to rising juniors and seniors who had expressed an interestin attending xxxxxxxx for pre-medicine. Twenty seven students from sixteen states attended theprogram.Participants spent the majority of each day performing laboratory-based experiments thatspanned the breadth of the biomedical engineering field, including experiments in biomaterials,lab-on-a-chip, sports biomechanics, robotic surgery, nanotechnology, and medical imaging.Sessions on engineering design and medical ethics were held in the evenings. A trip to a localamusement park allowed participants to measure acceleration and heart rate on a variety of rides.Success in meeting the objectives of the program was measured via pre- and post-programsurveys. Results indicate that students’ knowledge of the field of biomedical engineering,awareness of career opportunities, and awareness of the educational opportunities at xxxxxxxxincreased following the program.The biomedical engineering field attracts a small number of underrepresented students and thepercentage of female students has begun to decline in recent years. Implementation of the typeof program described here for targeted audiences may help to attract more women andunderrepresented individuals into the field. Additionally, the program may serve as a model forother universities to follow when developing their own summer activities for pre-collegestudents.

Citation
Format

Cezeaux, J. L., & Rust, M. J., & Gettens, R., & Beach, R. D., & Criscuolo, J. A. (2011, June), Implementation of a Biomedical Engineering Summer Program for High School Students Paper presented at 2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Vancouver, BC. 10.18260/1-2--18088

TY  - CPAPER
AB  -          Implementation of a Biomedical Engineering Summer Program                        for Elite High School StudentsThe biomedical engineering program at xxxxxxxx recently hosted its first residential summerprogram for high school students. Objectives of this program were 1) to introduce students to thebreadth and depth of the field of biomedical engineering, 2) to introduce students to careerchoices available to persons obtaining an undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering, and3) to introduce students to the educational opportunities available within the biomedicalengineering program at xxxxxxxx.Participants were recruited via post card or email. Post cards were sent to rising juniors andseniors who had selected biomedical engineering as their first choice of college major on eitherthe SAT or PSAT. An email was sent to rising juniors and seniors who had expressed an interestin attending xxxxxxxx for pre-medicine. Twenty seven students from sixteen states attended theprogram.Participants spent the majority of each day performing laboratory-based experiments thatspanned the breadth of the biomedical engineering field, including experiments in biomaterials,lab-on-a-chip, sports biomechanics, robotic surgery, nanotechnology, and medical imaging.Sessions on engineering design and medical ethics were held in the evenings. A trip to a localamusement park allowed participants to measure acceleration and heart rate on a variety of rides.Success in meeting the objectives of the program was measured via pre- and post-programsurveys. Results indicate that students’ knowledge of the field of biomedical engineering,awareness of career opportunities, and awareness of the educational opportunities at xxxxxxxxincreased following the program.The biomedical engineering field attracts a small number of underrepresented students and thepercentage of female students has begun to decline in recent years. Implementation of the typeof program described here for targeted audiences may help to attract more women andunderrepresented individuals into the field. Additionally, the program may serve as a model forother universities to follow when developing their own summer activities for pre-collegestudents.
AU  - Judy L. Cezeaux
AU  - Michael J. Rust
AU  - Robert Gettens
AU  - Richard D. Beach
AU  - Jason A Criscuolo
CY  - Vancouver, BC
DA  - 2011/06/26
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Implementation of a Biomedical Engineering Summer Program for High School Students
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/18088
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--18088
ER  -