State money may allow Bel Air High School another chance to offer medical science classes, after some parents opposed a medical magnet school.
“It?s not like we?re specifically training students to become nurses,” said Sue Garrett, supervisor of career programs.
“We?re trying to combine science, math and technology in a medical science way.”
Harford County Schools will receive a $25,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Education allowing them to test the “Project Lead the Way” program, which would prepare students for a career or college education in medicine, Garrett said.
Maryland is one of six states that helps fund this program.
“Somebody else is developing thecurriculum, … we?re just field-testing it,” she said.
The grant ? one of 10 distributed statewide ? would pay for the initial investment in teacher training and instructional materials. Four courses over four years will guide 30 to 60 students through an introduction to medical science, human body systems, medical intervention and scientific research.
The plan follows the School Board?s approval of a medical science magnet program, initially proposed for Bel Air High. The School Board has not decided where the magnet program will be established.
Some parents said the magnet school would bring more students to the already crowded Bel Air High.
But Superintendent Jacqueline Haas said the medical career program could be taught at other schools.
Though specifications for a replacement Bel Air High could have included a medical science magnet school or career program, the current plans are for generic labs that can change to meet the classes? needs, said schools spokesman Don Morrison.
The School Board did not vote on the program Monday but will discuss it at future meetings.
