CLAREMORE — “This has been the most fun I have had teaching” — so says Julie Stewart, Claremore High School Bio-Med instructor.

Her genuine love for the students she teaches, coupled with her excitement for the curriculum has made her class a student favorite.

The bio-med (short for biomedical) program is designed to help students decide if they want to pursue a healthcare career.

“This gives them a jump start,” Stewart said.

The curriculum is “fabulous,” she said— students utilize a laptop and are self-paced. It introduces lab skills students wouldn’t normally get.

“By the time students enter college, they are not intimidated by the labs — they’ve already been exposed to them in high school, and are empowered to jump in as college freshmen.”

Stewart herself had planned a healthcare career after graduation, set with degrees from NSU in biology and secondary education. She was considering a career as an optometrist but decided to teach “for a while” first.

“I fell in love with teaching and have never regretted my career choice,” Stewart said.

The bio-med program is a “Project Lead the Way” initiative. Project Lead the Way (PLTW) was created to address the United States’ need for more leaders in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Project Lead the Way’s Biomedical Sciences program is a four year series of courses, designed to bring students closer to the possibilities of a medical based field. The courses are integrated into the students’ core curriculum and designed to expand upon the college preparatory math and science programs.

PLTW partners with high schools to provide a rigorous, relevant STEM education. Through an engaging, hands-on curriculum, PLTW encourages the development of problem-solving skills, critical thinking, creative and innovative reasoning, and a love of learning.

CHS Principal Todd Steidley noted that STEM education is at the heart of today’s high-tech, high-skill global economy.

“These classes help spark the ingenuity, creativity, and innovation within all of our students,” Steidley said.

Next year there will be four classes offered in the Bio-Med program. An additional class will “wrap up” all that the students have learned throughout the curriculum, making them the first group — a total of 15 students — to complete the four-year program.

“The interesting fact is the bio-med program classes are all considered electives. The work is strenuous. Students must have performed well in Biology I as a prerequisite to the course study,” Stewart said.

Nearly every student who participates in the program plans to go into the medical field.

In addition to classroom work, students are encouraged to participate in clubs related to the curriculum.

One of the clubs offered to the students is Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA). They meet monthly and are active in community health initiatives, including volunteering at a juvenile Diabetes run, and making visits to local nursing homes. In addition to the volunteer activities, HOSA students participate in a spring competition which includes medical reading, medical vocabulary, problem solving, emergency preparedness and medical debate. Additionally, there is a fall conference for the HOSA officers.

Just like in the medical field, students earn their “stripes” — in the third year they are able to wear scrubs, and the fourth year they get their lab coat.

“When I took over the program my goal was to grow it. I plan to establish an advisory committee of healthcare professionals in the community.

Stewart’s passion for the curriculum, as well as her excitement for her student’s accomplishments are expressed in the broad smile that never leaves her face.

Principal Steidley agrees, “Julie Stewart is one of the most energetic and positive teachers that I have ever seen. She is always upbeat and happy. It is evident that she truly cares about our students. We are very fortunate that Julie Stewart teaches at Claremore High school.”

As for Stewart, she acknowledges that every day is an adventure, and that she has learned right along with her students.  Each year she attends training to learn the latest offerings in the Bio-Med curriculum.

“The kids love it,” Stewart said. “And once you’ve taught it, you’re hooked.”

(Audrey Webber is the Public Information Officer for Claremore Public Schools.)