Kristian Coerper

Kristian Coerper (Ms. C) teaches Anatomy & Physiology, and three Project Lead the Way Biomedical Sciences courses: Medical Interventions, Human Body Systems, and Principles of Biomedical Sciences at Kenwood Academy on the South Side of Chicago. Ms. C received a Masters of Arts in Teaching from the Urban Teacher Education Program at The University of Chicago, and received a B.A. in Biology and Psychology also from The University of Chicago. Ms. C believes education empowers individuals, allowing them to pursue their goals. In Ms. C's curriculum, students will be challenged to learn how the nervous system works and how lesioning affects cognition. In addition, students will think critically, collaborate with their peers, and utilize engineering design principles to create a therapeutic strategy to promote motor recovery in stroke patients.

Kristian Coerper's Curriculum:
The Nervous System
In order to survive the human body must evaluate and adapt to its environment, and this is primarily achieved by the nervous system. Sensory information is obtained and communicated throughout the body via the nervous system. The nervous system is the master controlling and communicating system of the body. Students are very interested in knowing why they think the way they do and this is the opportunity to have that discussion. Students will learn the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system, with an emphasis on the brain anatomy and physiology. After learning how the brain works normally, students learn how strokes can have devastating cognitive and motor deficits. The unit ends with students utilizing engineering design principles to create a therapy for stroke patients recovering from motor deficits. If possible I suggest a semi-flipped classroom where the students review the Ppt before class for homework and take notes, and class time can be used to clarify the notes and add additional examples and/or discussion.