Seniors in Campo Verde High School’s biomedical sciences program organized and led a recent Project Lead the Way showcase, highlighting student projects and the skills they developed through the four-year curriculum.

The event featured exhibits, demonstrations and a student panel where participants discussed their experiences in the program and how it prepared them for college and careers in science and medicine.

Project Lead the Way is a national program that offers hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering and math.

Campo Verde’s biomedical sciences track includes four years of coursework and a senior capstone project focused on researching real-world medical problems. Students often work with professionals in the field during their research.

“We felt that seniors would be best to showcase the program, so we took ownership of it,” said Audrey Yabut, a senior at Campo Verde.

Students said the program gives them experience similar to college-level work.

“We do a lot of research in different databases, so we learn to dissect complicated medical research papers,” said Riley Swezey, president of the school’s BioMed Club. “It also helps us connect with real professionals who can support us and be our mentors.”

Some students already work as lab assistants.

“I feel really well-prepared in that regard,” senior Addison Musa said.

The showcase also served as an opportunity to encourage incoming freshmen to join the program.

“If you’re interested in it, join the program and see what it’s about,” senior Madison Sanders said. “A lot of the skills we learn can be applied in different places.”

Students at Desert Ridge Junior, Greenfield Junior and South Valley Junior High can begin STEM pathways through Project Lead the Way Gateway courses, which include design, modeling and robotics. South Valley offers a medical detectives course that connects directly to Campo Verde’s biomedical sciences curriculum.