Bridging Classrooms to Careers: The Impact of the PLTW and ASA Partnership on Students

A collaboration between Project Lead The Way (PLTW) and The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), along with The California Society of Anesthesiologists and Texas Society of Anesthesiologists, has significantly shaped the educational journey of biomedical science students.  

In the fall of 2023, 11 PLTW high schools in Texas and California had the chance to interact directly with residents from local anesthesiology programs. These interactions allowed students to glean invaluable insights into the roles and responsibilities of anesthesiologists through discussions and activities.   

Hands-on activities such as intubation and laryngoscope demonstrations have given students a tangible understanding of the technical aspects of anesthesiology. These activities not only reinforce theoretical learning but also ignite a sense of curiosity and passion among students. The immersive nature of these activities and the discussions they had with anesthesiologists have been pivotal in piquing students' interest in the field of medicine. 

One PLTW Biomedical Science student shared:  

“The positive and insightful experience with the anesthesiologist allowed me to understand the different experiences that anesthesiologist had with becoming a doctor and allowed me to have hands-on experiences with intubating. It was interesting to be able to get insight into what they do and to handle their tools. My experience will help me in my career path because I was able to listen to the different ways the anesthesiologists became doctors, giving me insight into what my journey to becoming a doctor may include. I also became more interested in becoming an anesthesiologist after watching what they did.”  

“Project Lead The Way’s partnership with the California Society of Anesthesiologists provides opportunities that I alone could not provide,” said Jay Cochon, a PLTW Biomedical Science teacher from Pleasant Grove High School in Elk Grove, California. Interaction with the anesthesiologists guides students on their career journey and shapes perspectives on how to achieve their goals. The warmth and personability of the anesthesiologists inspires hope and that this career is attainable with a lot of hard work. The CSA partnership validates my teaching on how to prepare students for their future.”

Through this partnership, students are able to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world applications by engaging in a series of immersive experiences. In the spring, students will visit hospitals to better understand the work environment of anesthesiologists.  

The collaboration between ASA and PLTW aims to expand further, including other state associations, with the goal of creating a diverse talent pipeline in anesthesiology and related fields. This partnership continues to inspire students, bridging the gap between classroom learning and fulfilling careers in anesthesiology. 

To learn more about how Project Lead The Way can support your STEM goals, explore our curriculum today.