PhysioSim: Innovative Physiology Simulation Education Kits for Pre-College Students and Teachers

Project Summary/Abstract The proposed project will create an innovative interactive physiology simulation product for use by pre-college students to expose students to the health-science field and promote health-science-related careers. Significance: The majority of the fastest-growing occupations are in health-related fields, and it is vital for the US to train a workforce to meet those needs. There are many products and afterschool programs that support STEM learning for high school students in the fields of robotics and engineering, but few that focus on health, healthcare, and human biology. Finding avenues for students to experience the clinical relevance of physiology “in action” may help student engagement, enthusiasm, and learning of physiology as well as help guide biomedical career choices. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that adapting medical simulation technologies into learning tools appropriate and cost-effective for use within precollege classes would be met with high enthusiasm, overcoming both the cost and access barriers of traditional medical simulation products. Specific Aims: In this Direct to Phase II project IDL and its team will: 1) Create a production-ready and student-friendly system; 2) Develop a comprehensive curriculum and series of classroom activities; and 3) Evaluate the system with a study of end-users.