WVHS + BCHS = Stronger Together

Summer 2020, Charis Regan, BCHS Science Teacher, spearheaded a group of Bradley Central High School and Walker Valley High School teachers to design project-based experiences for their students to research, problem-solve, and create usable products for the local Bradley County and Cleveland, Tennessee community. This collaboration involved cross-curricular planning in Biology, Integrated Math, CTE Health Science, CTE Engineering and CTE Advanced Manufacturing/Mechatronics. One of the hands-on projects involves (Biology, Integrated Math and CTE Health Science) students constructing gene sequences to simulate and monitor genetic expression to better understand how an epidemic-causing virus will spread. In other projects, students will use drafting software and Dremel 3D printers to design original products to keep oxygen tubes off the floor of hospitals and nursing homes. Another project will engage the students to design original devices to hold CPR kits needed during CPR application. Teachers were inspired to enable their students to embrace a helping and serving philosophy through creative problem solving. Innovation at this level requires materials and equipment outside the normal school budget. Charis and the team were undaunted and wrote a grant to BCPEF requesting funding. Fifteen generous donors committed to fund this project and to enable aspiring students and dedicated teachers to take instruction to a higher level. ‘Innovation=Integration STRONGER TOGETHER’ is the first project funded by the Friends of BCPEF Innovation Award.