This course is designed around a MANIKEN® on which each body system is created out of clay. The systems and their respective organs are labelled with tape flags. Concept maps of the mechanisms utilized in the systems are then created using Inspiration software on classroom notebooks. Scenarios of patients with symptoms are provided to the students, so that they can analyze the symptoms and diagnose the fictitious patients. Students take on the role of forensic anthropologists, neurologists, ophthalmologists, biometric engineers—for a total of eleven careers. All projects are real-world authentic assessments as they provide students with the opportunity to experience firsthand the challenges faced by these professionals each day in their communities. At the end of the year students have the option to take an online assessment administered by pltw.org that may offer them college/university equivalency credit if they score a six or above on a scale of 1-10.

PLTW-HBS, through its rigorous yet engaging curriculum, introduces students to state-of the-art equipment and technology, such as Vernier Logger Pro Graphing Analysis Software, Inspiration software, micropipettes, Fetal Dopplers, etc. Through the use of this equipment, students gain self-esteem and acquire the skills they will need to become successful in institutions of higher education and in the global economy.