Students Immersed in “Doing” Science at Biomed Research Academy
“Effective teachers seek out non-traditional, innovative approaches to teaching. They are open-minded, student-centered, and have the ability to incorporate more than just content into what they are teaching.”
Roger Rabold, Biomedical Research Academy, Dublin City Schools
Mr. Rabold explains the workings of the circulatory system with the help of a model of the heart to students at Dublin’s Biomed Research Academy. Academy students are interested in a wide gamut of medical careers from physicians to nurses to physical therapists, athletic trainers, and researchers.
By Roger Rabold
Recipient, 2019 Arthur S. Holden Teacher Award for Excellence in Science Education
The Cardiovascular Health Immersive Research Project that was initially funded by the Jennings Award is alive and strong in Dublin City Schools' Biomedical Research Academy in 2020. We just finished our second year with students designing, conducting, and presenting mini-research projects on the cardiovascular or respiratory systems. We also recently hosted our second annual blood drive exceeding our goal of 60 units of blood.... coming mostly from our own students acting as first time donors. The problem based learning model used throughout the program promotes students learning to "do science", instead of just learning about what others have learned previously. Additionally, the processes and skills involved in this type of learning are transferable to all subjects and to all walks of life. Thanks to the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation for making this vision come to life!
“There is a lot of ownership put on students to take over their learning and seek help when they need it. At the beginning of the year, kids aren’t used to that. Seeing them develop and own their own learning is really rewarding because you know that is going to benefit them for years to come.”
Biomed Academy students learn about empathy in medicine through a partnership with Ohio University medical school.
Models designed and created by students at Biomed Research Academy
The Biomedical Research Academy attracts students from all three Dublin high schools who are interested in careers in the health science field. Funds from the Jennings award allowed Mr. Rabold to enhance instruction within the academy about the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems.