Introduction to Biomedical Engineering

Students do not need to have any prior knowledge or have attended previous sessions to participate in a session.

Week of June 15: Human Body Systems
 - Essential Questions: What is biomedical engineering? What are the major human body systems?
 - Learning Goals: Define biomedical engineering and name some examples (e.g., tissue engineering, genetic engineering, medical devices, etc.). Identify the major organs of at least one human body system and explain how the health of that body system is essential to overall health.
 - Activity Types: Reading, Drawing, and Discussion

Week of June 22: Challenges in Designing Medical Technology
 - Essential Question: What are some considerations that need to be taken into account when designing medical technology?
 - Learning Goals: Explain how environmental and/or consumer considerations affect product design. Identify the historical impact of at least one medical technology.
 - Activity Types: Reading, Video, Hands-On, and Discussion

Week of June 29: Medical Imaging Technologies
 - Essential Question: What technologies do doctors use to diagnose medical conditions?
 - Learning Goal: Identify multiple types of medical imaging technologies and explain how at least one of those technologies work. 
 - Activity Types: Presentation and Hands-On Activities

Week of July 6: Diabetes Technologies
 - Essential Question: How is medical technology used to help people with chronic conditions such as diabetes?
 - Learning Goals: Identify three molecules cells need and how they get from food/air to the cells. Identify two or more technologies used to manage diabetes.
 - Activity Types: Reading, Hands-On, and Discussion

Week of July 13: Kidney Dialysis Technology
 - Essential Question: How can medical science help people who have malfunctioning organs?
 - Learning Goal: Model and explain the function and purpose of  kidney dialysis.
 - Activity Types: Presentation, Hands-On, and Discussion

Week of July 20: Pacemakers
 - Essential Question: How can medical science help people who have malfunctioning organs?
 - Learning Goals: Model and explain the function and purpose of pacemakers.
 - Activity Types: Reading, Hands-On, and Discussion

Week of July 27: Artificial Hearts
 - Essential Question: How can medical science help people who need replacement internal organs?
 - Learning Goals: Describe the general size, location and function of the heart, and compare that to artificial heart models.
 - Activity Types: Discussion and Drawing

Week of August 3: Prosthetics
 - Essential Questions: How can medical science help people who have lost external organs and/or limbs? How does a patient’s functional and aesthetic goals influence the design of a prosthetic? What considerations and trade-offs need to be made?
 - Learning Goal: Design a prosthetic for a particular purpose.
 - Activity Types: Discussion and Drawing