This article presents an innovative cardiology-focused case study integrated into a high school anatomy and physiology class aimed at addressing the issues of equity and inclusivity in STEM education. Despite efforts to bridge gender and minority gaps in STEM, disparities persist, particularly in specialized fields such as cardiology. These disparities include inequities in patient care, underrepresentation of minority groups and women within the cardiology workforce, and the broader issue of gender and minority imbalances in STEM fields. The curriculum, developed in collaboration with a cardiologist, uses the fictional case of “Grandpa Charles” to engage students in a real-world medical scenario, emphasizing environmental factors affecting community health. By incorporating case-based learning and multimedia resources, the exemplar lesson seeks to deepen student engagement, enhance critical thinking, and foster a comprehensive understanding of scientific concepts within the context of students’ lived experiences. This approach demonstrates the impact of community-relevant, professionally informed case studies on elevating academic success and empowering students to apply scientific knowledge to complex societal issues in science education.
Engaging High School Students in Science Through Case-Based Teaching and Learning: Bridging Health Disparities with Environmental Context Available to Purchase
SUN YOUNG JEONG is a cardiology fellow at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles, renowned for her academic excellence, clinical expertise, and mentorship. Her academic journey includes prestigious honors such as the Max Planck Institute Research Award, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Biology Fellowship from UC Berkeley, and the Jeff Black Fellowship at Columbia, reflecting her commitment to advancing medicine and public health. At the Medical College of Wisconsin, she was honored with the Alpha Omega Alpha Research Award and inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. During her residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, she received the Harvard Medicine Grand Round Research Award. As a cardiology fellow at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles, Dr. Jeong has distinguished herself in electrophysiology research and was appointed Chief Fellow in recognition of her leadership in education and mentorship.
KELSEA GRAY is a secondary biology and anatomy teacher in the Columbus City School District. She holds a degree in secondary science education with a focus on life sciences from The Ohio State University. Kelsea is dedicated to creating curricula that reflect the individual interests of her students, particularly through the lens of health science. She provides students with opportunities to engage with their communities and tackle school- and community-wide challenges. Kelsea played a key role in developing a curriculum that brings prospective educators into the classroom, allowing them to observe and apply the teaching methods and skills they are studying in real-time. Passionate about fostering scientific literacy, Kelsea is committed to helping all learners develop skills that will benefit them both inside and outside the classroom.
SOPHIA JEONG is an Assistant Professor of Science Education in the Department of Teaching and Learning at The Ohio State University. Her research explores ontological complexities of subjectivities and socio-material relationships in science classrooms, drawing on theories of new materialisms. Dr. Jeong is a prolific writer, publishing extensively on equity issues in science education, and investigating classroom interactions through rhizomatic, nonlinear analysis. As a science teacher educator, she is dedicated to fostering creativity, encouraging curiosity, and cultivating socio-political consciousness through science education.
Sun Young Jeong, Kelsea Gray, Sophia Jeong; Engaging High School Students in Science Through Case-Based Teaching and Learning: Bridging Health Disparities with Environmental Context. The American Biology Teacher 1 March 2025; 87 (3): 180–184. doi: https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2025.87.3.180
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