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Biomedical Sciences Institute

About the Biomedical Sciences Institute (BSI)

Mount Dora Christian Academy (MDCA) in conjunction with Project Lead The Way (PLTW) has launched a Biomedical Sciences Institute (BSI).   The BSI program started with its first 9th-grade intake in the 2018-2019 school year.  The program has been designed for high school students starting in their freshman year. The exciting BSI curriculum will allow students to delve into the medical field through their work in the classroom, the lab, and from real-world experiences.   BSI was created to promote greater interest in healthcare careers and to provide students with the opportunity to gain more in-depth knowledge as well as to meet the rising demand for healthcare professionals projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2.4 million jobs by 2026).

Benefits

In addition to the knowledge and career preparation that the BSI program will provide, students will also be eligible for additional academic recognition. During junior year, students will participate in a White Coat Ceremony. During senior year, students will receive the following:

  • BSI Diploma Gold Certificate Seal
  • BSI graduation medallion

Seniors will be given the Biotechnician Assistant Credentialing Exam (BACE) which is an industry-recognized exam designed to assess core skills and knowledge sets identified by industry, and represented within the academic and performance standards of biotechnology programs. This exam is available through the University of Florida e-learning program. Students are guaranteed to receive 3 college credit hours for any college in the state of Florida if they pass the BACE. 

Our Educational Partner

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is a curriculum developed by leaders in business, education, and healthcare and is the nation’s leading provider for K-12 STEM programs. PLTW has created a cutting-edge curriculum for students and rigorous training for teachers, as well as state of the art equipment for both teachers and students. One of the most exciting aspects of PLTW is that partner schools are required to create an advisory board comprised of local doctors, dentists, and other healthcare professionals. These professionals will help oversee the curriculum, serve as guest teachers, provide job shadowing, internships, and networking opportunities, as well as other support.

We have local partnerships with Adventhealth, Adventist UniversityLake Tech, Utilities Lab at Tavares, and the Biotility program at the University of Florida.  

Contact

Laura Barker

Secondary Science Teacher, Head of BSI