THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 44, NO. 8 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2022
CSI: MIEGE
New program helps students find their path toward future careers
By Jill Ragar Esfeld Special to The Leaven
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OELAND PARK — There is a murder to be solved at Bishop Miege High School here. And it’s up to Mary Beth Summers’ biomedical science students to determine the culprit. “We have someone who’s died,” explained Summers. “And then we have some unknown samples from the crime scene.” On the day of The Leaven’s visit, students were analyzing which samples are blood and what blood types are present. That should help them narrow down their list of suspects. “And then,” said Summers, “they’re developing an experiment to try to test blood splatter.” That will determine the cause of death. Not to worry, this murder is simulated; but the lessons learned are not. As these young sleuths engage in the science behind crime-scene investigation, they will discover far more than the culprit in this whodunit. They’ll find out if they have an interest in forensic science, phlebotomy or any number of professions in the biomedical science field. On the way to that important discovery, they’re having some fun. This class is a hands-on teenage dream of blood sampling, fingerprinting and learning how maggots and flies can help determine time of death. Welcome to the newest path in the Bishop Miege Project Lead the Way (PLTW) program — biomedical science joins the already successful paths of computer science and engineering. Forensic science techniques is the first unit on this path. The second is clinical care in which students will learn more about the professions of physicians and nurses. The third unit is called “outbreak.” “It has to do with a bacterial outbreak that occurs in the hospital,” explained Summers. “Students have to figure out how patients are being moved through the hospital and where a patient might have been exposed. “So, they’re going to see a little more of the research side.” Next year, a course in human body systems will be added. Bishop Miege is seeing a surge in student interest and involvement with these experiential lessons in science. “We love Project Lead the Way because it’s so hands-on,” said principal Maureen Engen. This new path was added based on student interest. “We did a survey,” said Engen. “Thirty percent of the students that completed it were interested in health science and medicine.” PLTW courses provide a rigorous, >> See “MIEGE” on page 5
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JILL RAGAR ESFELD
Participating in the Forensic Techniques unit of Bishop Miege’s biomedical science pathway, Kaiya Key (left) and Jack Elder are preparing their simulated blood samples to determine blood type.