Expert Guest Speakers in Science Class by Ms. Lerenman

In science class, it is of the utmost importance that students are provided opportunities to interact with experts in the field of science. A knowledgeable teachers is sometimes not enough when kids want to get really in-depth with a topic.

The above pictures display the following expert guest speakers:

• Ms. Diane Yabut, biomedical engineer and patent examiner for heart defect devices. Ms. Yabut helped teach the the class about the heart deffect Atrial Septal Defect, or ASD. Students had the opportunity to learn about the causes and effects of cardiovascular dysfunctions such as ASD. They also got to build model clamshell occluders, the devices that Ms. Yabut helps to examine at her job. Students now know how doctors treat such problems with a virtually non-invasive, non-open heart surgery.

• Mr. George Hughes-Strange, a medical student and former Teach For America corps member, came to our 7th grade class to teach students about the endocrine system dysfunction, diabetes. He modeled the disease by explaining the human body in terms of a hotel and had students physically demonstrate the process of insulin production or lack there of.