October, 2022
By Camila Juarez and Dannarys Gutierrez, Arts & Culture Reporters
This August, Kipp Austin Collegiate added a new class that focuses on the medical side of education. “Principles of Health Science” was created to give students who are interested in science more career-driven options rather than AP courses.
Principles of Health Science is a hands-on learning class in which students do clinical activities. This class is available for all grade levels, and specifically designed for students interested in careers in the health field like nursing, medicine, dental hygiene, and even veterinary science. In this class, students practice skills that you need to know to work in healthcare. Each week they focus on different parts of the body, learn about anatomy, and do practical practice.
“This week we’re doing a lab where they are learning how to do splints for broken bones”, said Ms. Love, one of the course’s teachers. Students were also able to practice stitching on a banana. These skills are practical and the students will be able to use this in case of an emergency, but also for their future careers.
How did this class get started? Well, Mr. Ramirez, one of KAC’s Assistant Principals, realized that KAC doesn’t really have any classes that are career-driven. Therefore, he decided to add this class in order to give KAC students more opportunities that involve health care careers and allow them to get experience with on-hands learning.
Although students in Principles of Health Science have weekly projects, they do have a big final project. This project consists of students making their own resume for health careers and later having a mock interview. This gives students experience that will be needed as they grow and apply for jobs. Since this project is at the end of the year, students have the ability to learn and be attentive during class in order to prepare for the final project. They learn communication skills, professionalism, and the importance of safety.
Junior Abigail Chaverria was enthusiastic about the class. “Principles of Health Science class has great opportunities to meet new people,” she said. “We get to do assessments that include talking to people and sometimes you end up being friends with them. I’m also able to have better experiences for my future career.”
If you’re debating whether to take this class in the future, Ms. Love says, “It’s a great class. You should take it!”
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