Integrating Biomedical Informatics Training into Existing High School Curricula

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Informatics
• Environmental Health
• Educational Technology

Background:

• Increasing demand for biomedical informaticists necessitates early education.
• Biomedical informatics expertise is crucial for data analysis and health-related issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• Integrate biomedical informatics training into high school curricula.
• Educate teachers on data analysis, biomedical informatics, and mobile learning.
• Expose students to health and environmental issues using informatics.

Main Methods:

• Developed low-cost pollution sensors and interactive web applications.
• Partnered with six Philadelphia high schools for a 2019-2020 school year implementation.
• Implemented a problem-based mobile learning unit focused on air pollution and asthma.

Main Results:

• Successfully implemented a mobile learning unit using developed technologies.
• Teachers and students engaged in collecting and interpreting air pollution data.
• Demonstrated the link between air pollution data and asthma prevalence.

Conclusions:

• Biomedical informatics training can be effectively integrated into K-12 education.
• The project improved data and health literacy among students and teachers.
• Inspired student engagement by showcasing informatics' role in community problem-solving.