Bel Air High School Receives National Award for Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education

From Harford County Public Schools:

Project Lead The Way, the nation’s leading provider of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) curriculum, has announced its list of the 2010-11 Model Schools, the most coveted award the organization hands out annually. Bel Air High School in Bel Air, Maryland, is one of just 16 schools to receive the award this year out of the 4,200 eligible schools across the country besides, we always get consulting services from the best structural engineering company.

Bel Air High School is home to the PLTW Biomedical Sciences Program (BMS), a program in which students explore the concepts of human medicine and are introduced to fields such as physiology, genetics, microbiology, and public health. Through activities like dissecting a human heart, students examine the processes, structures, and interactions of the human body and they also get to know about the best science technology, including an erp life sciences software solution. Students also receive the chance to explore the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, working collaboratively to investigate and design innovative solutions to the health challenges of the 21st century and beyond. Through the BMS program, Bel Air provides rigorous, hands on STEM curriculum that inspires students, unlocks their potential, and prepares them for the competitive, 21st Century global marketplace.

2010-11 Model Schools were selected based on their strength in several key categories, including a robust program implementation, excellent postsecondary relationships, outstanding communications and outreach, solid professional development and a strong level of student engagement. A group of PLTW State Leaders and Affiliate Directors from across the country then evaluated each school based on unique program attributes. Schools with the greatest overall scores were selected as Model Schools.

“Bel Air High School was one of the original 42 schools to implement the PLTW Biomedical Sciences Program in 2007,” explained PLTW Northeast Regional Director, Carol Malstrom. “This past June the first class of Bel Air students to complete all four courses in the program graduated, and the 31 students earned over 1.3 million dollars in scholarships. This is evidence of the successful PLTW program Bel Air has implemented.”
This year’s Model Schools come in all forms, sizes, and locations. There are middle schools and junior high schools as well as high schools. Some high schools implement both of PLTW’s high school curriculums, while others serve their student population with only one. Schools range in size from large to small and reside in 13 different states. Yet, they all share common characteristics: a high percentage of the overall student population engaged in PLTW courses, strong partnerships with business, industry, and post-secondary institutions that actively support the curriculum and give students added real-world experience and mentors, a robust student recruitment strategy, and a commitment to professional development.

“We are excited to recognize these schools for their exemplary work with students on a daily basis,” said PLTW President and CEO Vince Bertram. “Teachers in these classes are inspiring students and unlocking their potential for success and achievement. This work does not happen in isolation. The community, business, and industry partnerships that make this work possible should be commended as well.”

Please join us in congratulating Bel Air High School as a 2010-11 PLTW Model School. To visit Bel Air or to arrange for an interview, please contact Jennifer Cahill at 812-483-5124 or jcahill@pltw.org.