Pathway Programs

Bright Spot on BioMed

October 18, 2019

By Tyler Watkins, Biomedical Pathway Instructor

The Biomedical Pathway program at Tustin High School had the opportunity to present at the TUSD Board Meeting on September 9, 2019.  Three current 12th grade students in the Biomedical Pathway shared the unique learning experiences they have had in the program. Elizabeth Lambaren (left), Sky Salguero (left center), and Tanner Cline (center), are currently taking Biomedical Innovations as the capstone course to complete their four-year journey.  Mr. Thomas Day (right center) and Mr. Tyler Watkins (right) shared how courses taken in the Biomedical Pathway can fulfill students’ A-G requirements and align to the Next Generation Science Standards. Mr. Day, Mr. Watkins, and Mrs. Kranz, along with support from countless others in the district including Dr. Grant Litfin, Chris Matos, and Kris Posavec, are proud to see this first group of Biomedical Pathway students graduate and look forward to continued success and growth of the program. 

What is the Biomed Club at Tustin High School?

The Biomed club is an opportunity for students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare and medical technology to experience hands on learning and gain real-world insight from industry professionals.

Tustin High School will host its 27th annual Model United Nations (MUN) Conference on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 23 and 24. Over 1,200 students from more than 30 high schools throughout the state are participating in the event, which will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., on Sunday.

Through debate and collaboration, MUN students will discuss a variety of international topics and current events.

This annual student-run conference serves as a vital fundraiser for the Model United Nations program and is the largest MUN conferences in California.

Individual and group awards will be presented to students in several categories, including Best Research, Commendation, Outstanding Delegate and Best Delegate awards, along with large and small school delegation awards.

MUN is an a-g approved academic program that offers an opportunity for students to simulate the activities of the United Nations organization. Students learn skills in researching, writing, negotiating, speaking and debating.

The program was started at Tustin High in 1991 as an extracurricular activity and has evolved into a four-year academic leadership academy curriculum with over 140 participating students, ranging from top honors to special needs students. Students compete at local, state, national and international levels.

The team will compete internationally at the PRAMUN Model United Nations Conference in Prague, Czech Republic in January.

For more information about the program or get involved as a student or a parent, call (714) 730-7414, ext. 87710, visit join.thsmun.org , or email thsmunrecruitment@gmail.com. To learn more about the annual conference, please visit thsmun.org .

THS MUN 2019/20 Conference Schedule

* Optional travel competition - additional cost incurred

** Classes with priority are given the opportunity to sign up first. Any remaining spots will be opened to the other classes with the agreement of the advisors.

***Grade levels in (parentheses) may apply to these conferences as make-up opportunities if space permits.

All dates subject to change. Changes will be announced in class and on Haiku.

Students are required to attend four local conferences (including Tustin) unless other arrangements are approved by their advisor.

The Model United Nations Program is a rigorous four-year course of graded electives that complement required social studies classes. Model United Nations is a program that combines the aforementioned subject matter with an authentic simulation of United Nations Committees. During these simulations students are catapulted into the world of diplomacy and negotiations. They prepare draft resolutions, plot strategy, negotiate with supporters and adversaries, resolve conflicts and navigate the U.N.’s rules of procedure – all in the interest of mobilizing “international cooperation” to resolve problems that affect almost every country on earth.

Lessons in Model UN courses will be designed to promote an understanding of modern world problems through the use of a Model United Nations format. Knowledge will be reinforced through research, debates, critical thinking, speech, and actual Model United Nations competition.

In addition to the courses listed below, MUN students must attend a minimum of four conferences each year. These conferences are usually held on Saturdays. Optional travel conferences range from 3 to 12 days, and from San Diego to Europe.

Suggested Sample Course Sequence for 4-year MUN students:

*An honors track program is recommended but not required for Model United Nations. MUN is open to all students.

NOTES:

• September Training Camp is encouraged for all students.
• Students who complete at least 3 years in the class and complete a Capstone project, receive an MUN Honor Cord for graduation.

T-Tech to MIT!

T-Tech Academy of Technology & Engineering is going to MIT! A team of 11 Tustin High School students was awarded a $9,000 Grant from the Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams Program.

InvenTeams are teams of high school students, teachers and mentors that receive grants up to $10,000 each to invent technological solutions to real-world problems. This initiative of the Lemelson-MIT Program aims to inspire a new generation of inventors.

“The InvenTeams program represents the future,” said Leigh Estabrooks, invention education officer from the Lemelson-MIT Program. “We place an emphasis on STEM-focused projects to develop interest in these fields among youth. With InvenTeams, our primary goal is to foster high school students’ passion for invention, in turn inspiring them to consider careers in science, technology, engineering or math.”

T-Tech Advisor, Ed Hernandez, initiated the InvenTeam application process in April of 2015, and attended training at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in June of 2016 to help prepare the final proposal. A prestigious panel of judges composed of educators, researchers, staff and alumni from MIT, as well as representatives from the industry and former Lemelson-MIT Award winners, selected the Tillers as one of this year’s InvenTeam grantees.

The funds will be used for the complete development and fabrication of a student-created invention over the next seven months. Tustin’s challenge is to develop a machine to quickly and efficiently remove unsightly chewing gum from concrete floors, walkways and sidewalks. Chewing gum litter is the number two litter problem in the world, second only to cigarette butts.

The program will culminate with a trip to EurekaFest in June 2017 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts (MIT) to present their invention.

The Tustin High School InvenTeam, selected after an exhaustive 2-year application process, will be one of only 15 high school InvenTeams from across the United States to participate in this prestigious event.

Sticker design competition to help Femineers Club sponsored by Sticker You. See link below.

Custom Stickers

Read an article HERE from the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) about how the Femineers empower our Tillers into STEM!