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Science faculty describe hands-on labs, PLTW courses and anatomy sequence to trustees
Summary
Dean Moore presented the life-science and chemistry course pathway, described lab-based instruction (microbiology, anatomy & physiology, sheep heart dissection, 'leaf-pack' stream ecology) and explained how Project Lead The Way integrates with state biology standards and teacher training requirements.
Trustees heard a presentation from Dean Moore on the science department’s curriculum and lab program, including how the Project Lead The Way (PLTW) biomedical sequence fits into grades 10–12 and how biology, microbiology and anatomy courses are sequenced.
Moore outlined the staffing and program structure, naming Jared Schubert (biology) and Austin Savoy (chemistry) as part of the life-science and chemistry team, and noted that chemistry is typically scheduled in senior year. He explained that the PLTW biomedical-sciences sequence is project-based and covers Massachusetts biology standards through a storyline-project curriculum; he described intensive PLTW teacher training he completed that included a two-week residency where trainers ran every lesson in the kit.
Examples and pedagogy: Moore described hands-on lab projects — a stream ecology 'leaf-pack' experiment that brought macroinvertebrates and salamanders into the classroom, sheep-heart dissections and senior projects that let students research career-related topics. He emphasized lab assessments and practicals as part of student evaluations and said the department uses honors sections to differentiate instruction.
Why it matters: The presentation showcased Smith’s vocational-academic integration—how students’ shop placements (animal science, health technology, culinary, criminal justice, etc.) inform whether they begin in biology or physics, which trustees discussed as part of enrollment and capacity planning.
