Before graduating, three Westlake High School students in the school’s Project Lead the Way (PLTW) — Biomedical Innovations program developed presentations for their capstone projects. Capstone projects allow students to delve deeper into an issue they are interested in.
“The students were allowed to choose a topic that they felt passionate about and work on it throughout the school year,” Nicole Pringle, a PLTW instructor at Westlake, said. “With support, they were given autonomy to pursue whatever aspect of their approved topic that they saw fit.”
Gabriela Alcantara’s project focused on a method of monitoring the blood pressure of those with a history of high blood pressure. Alcantara’s device would periodically measure a person’s blood pressure internally and then send the readings to a medical professional. Alcantara is planning to attend Arizona State University in the fall.
Josie Christensen’s project would support first responders. Paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMT) would access the program that aims to reduce overcrowding at hospitals. The program would use GPS data to guide first responders to hospitals with the capacity to accept new patients. Her project received the highest evaluation from scorers among the Westlake students who took part. Christensen will attend Howard University in August.
Anari McCurdy-Garrett’s project sought to raise awareness of Type-1 diabetes. As McCurdy-Garrett manages Type-1 diabetes herself, her project was personal and included information about symptoms, diagnosis and management of the chronic condition. McCurdy-Garrett interviewed medical professionals and compiled research for the project. She will attend the College of Southern Maryland in the fall.
“I’m happy to say that the scholars developed significant confidence in their ability to produce innovative and relevant solutions to issues that they feel passionate about,” Pringle said.
Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) boosts Project Lead the Way career and technical education (CTE) pathways in each high school. To learn more about CTE, visit https://www.ccboe.com/departments/career-and-technical-education.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,598 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 37 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Kathy Kiessling, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).