This class is like a scene straight out of a CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) show on television. Lab technicians are performing DNA tests and other tissue tests to determine cause of death, or in the case of today’s classroom project, paternity.
Katherine Herrboldt’s Principles of Biomedicine class at Apollo High School is performing the DNA tests. The scenario: a mother, who was artificially inseminated, has an ill child. That child needs a liver transplant. The mother needs to determine paternity to obtain the child’s medical history, but the files at the clinic were destroyed. The clinic has narrowed the paternity down to three possible fathers. Based on the DNA samples, the class must now determine which of the three candidates is the father.
The class is using DNA gel electrophoresis, the method of separating DNA, proteins and other fragments, based on size and charge. In other words, 150 volts of electrical current is connected to the gel wells that contain DNA samples. Positive electricity on one end and negative on the other. The fragments then start to move toward the positive electricity creating the DNA markers that we are so used to viewing on television.
Principles in Biomedicine is one of the year-long Project Lead the Way (PLTW) classes available at Apollo. PLTW classes are hands-on courses that put students in an environment that is engaging and empowering to develop the skills they need to thrive in the workforce.
There are four PLTW courses offered, and with each class, students earn college credit through St. Cloud State University while taking the course.
Herrboldt, a St. Cloud State University graduate, has been teaching this biomedicine class for a couple of years.
“The class starts at the beginning of the year with a fake dead body,” explains Herrboldt. “The whole year, the class analyzes the cause of death and [possible] medical causes. It’s about investigating the whole person.”
She further explains, “Within the first couple of weeks the students rule out murder as a cause of death based on the evidence. Then they move on to look at what diseases or other medical problems the person might have that would have caused or contributed to the death.”
Most of the students in Herrboldt’s class want to be in the biomedical field: as nurses, doctors, dental hygienists or forensic DNA analysts. As part of the class, they research all of these careers. They learn how much schooling is needed, job demands and average earnings.
Stephanie Scanlon, an Apollo senior, wants to be a dental hygienist.
“I’m interning at the Tech college [St. Cloud Technical Community College],” says Scanlon. “But, I’m also interning as a social worker, too.”
Scanlon is part of the Health Career Exploration program with District 742, a program that pairs students with internships while still in high school.
“It’s never boring in this class,” says Scanlon. “I look forward to this class.”
Herrboldt turns her attention back to the entire class.
“Take a look at your gels. Do you see bubbles? That’s how you know it’s running,” says Herrboldt. “It’s like a jacuzzi.”
Students are getting a small taste of what a CSI show on television can be like–with one catch.
“Watching CSI, someone in the show says they need to have the DNA test right away,” laughs Herrboldt. “And it’s done in less than an hour. That’s not realistic. The actual process is much longer.”
The process takes a minimum of a few days. Just preparing the gel for electrophoresis can take seven to eight hours.
And, just like the process of electrophoresis takes time, so does choosing a career.
Herrboldt says, “Explore all the different careers. Do you want to be a doctor or nurse? Well, there are so many other careers they could go into that they may enjoy.”
These students are learning the process of elimination through science as well as in life.