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What Patients Should Know About Medical Device-Associated Infections

Modern medicine is truly a marvel. Whether it’s a tiny valve keeping a heart beating in rhythm, a port making chemotherapy manageable, or a prosthetic hip restoring someone’s mobility, medical devices are life-changers. They help humans live longer, move better, and manage chronic conditions with dignity.

It’s no wonder that the global medical devices market is expected to cross $1030 billion in revenue by 2034. At the global stage, North America remained at the forefront of the medical device industry in 2025, capturing 38.1% of the global market.

However, as helpful as these tools are, they come with a small but significant risk of infections. The FDA receives over 2 million reports each year about medical device malfunctions and injuries. Don’t be alarmed, though. Most infections linked to medical devices are preventable.

Here, we’ll help you understand what these infections are, what signs to watch for, and how you can actively reduce your risk. Dive in, then! 

Common Types of Medical Devices Linked to Infections

Not all medical devices carry the same level of infection risk. Some devices, particularly those that remain in your body for extended periods or that penetrate your skin, require extra attention. 

Here are the most common types of devices associated with infections:

1. Implantable Port Catheter Devices

If you’re receiving long-term treatment like chemotherapy, your doctor might have recommended an implantable port. 

Implantable ports, such as port-a-caths, consist of a reservoir placed subcutaneously, usually in the chest. It connects directly to a large vein to spare your smaller veins from repeated needle sticks. 

Since the body treats port catheter devices as foreign material, there is a risk of serious complications. These include sepsis, blood clots, device malfunction, or catheter disconnection. Reports have revealed that infections occur in approximately 4.8% of chemoport cases. 

Devices of some brands have also faced scrutiny for structural failures. Bard is a case in point. Patients who got Bard’s PowerPort device implanted suffered from serious injuries such as bloodstream infections, deep vein thrombosis, and sepsis due to device failure. 

Not surprisingly, thousands of patients across the country have filed the Bard PowerPort lawsuit against Bard Access Systems, Inc. and its parent company, Becton, Dickinson and Company. 

According to TorHoerman Law, plaintiffs in the lawsuit assert that design and manufacturing defects in their implantable ports caused catastrophic injuries to patients. 

2. Intravenous (IV) Lines and Central Lines

Almost everyone who’s spent time in a hospital has had an IV line. These thin, flexible tubes deliver fluids, medications, and nutrients directly into your veins. 

Standard IV lines usually stay in your arm or hand for just a few days. But central lines are larger catheters that reach the bigger veins near your heart and can remain in place much longer. Therefore, they pose a higher infection risk than peripheral IVs due to their length and the fact that they sit in large veins near your heart. 

Central line-associated bloodstream infections, or CLABSIs, are one of the most serious device-related infections. Infections happen when bacteria enter during the procedure, travel down the outside of the line, or create a biofilm. This biofilm is a sticky layer of bacteria that grows inside the catheter and can be very tricky to treat.

3. Surgical Implants

Surgical implants are designed to replace or support body parts. These include artificial joints, pacemakers, and heart valves. These devices are meant to be permanent or long-term.   

From hip and knee replacements to pacemakers and spinal hardware, surgical implants have helped millions of people regain mobility, independence, and quality of life. These devices are typically made from materials that your body tolerates well, like titanium or special plastics, and they are placed during sterile surgical procedures.

Despite all precautions, infections can occasionally develop around surgical implants. Sometimes infections happen soon after surgery when bacteria enter through the incision. Other times, infections develop months or even years later if bacteria from another part of your body travel through your bloodstream and settle on the implant. 

Orthopedic implants like artificial joints are particularly vulnerable because they can’t heal and integrate into your body the way natural tissue does. If bacteria form a biofilm on the implant’s surface, they become incredibly difficult to eliminate with antibiotics alone.

Signs and Symptoms of Medical Device-Associated Infections

The sooner an infection is caught, the easier it is to treat. Keep a close eye out for these red flags:

  • Redness or warmth around the insertion site or surgical incision
  • Swelling or tenderness that’s new or getting worse
  • Drainage or pus from the site 
  • Pain that increases as time passes
  • Skin that feels hot to the touch
  • The area around the device looks different from what it did before

What Patients Can Do to Reduce Infection Risk

You’re not helpless in preventing medical device-associated infections. There are several concrete steps you can take to protect yourself. Here are a few of them:

1. Practice Good Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of germs. Germs live on hands and can easily move to a medical device. Proper handwashing removes these transient organisms.   

Follow a five-step process to wash your hands properly: wet, lather, scrub, rinse, and dry. Scrub for at least 20 seconds, making sure the backs of hands, between fingers, and under fingernails are scrubbed. 

If washing is not possible, use an alcohol-based sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Rub it over all surfaces until the hands are completely dry. This normally takes about 20 seconds. However, sanitizer does not work well on visibly dirty or greasy hands. In those instances, soap and water are mandatory. 

2. Keep the Device Area Clean and Dry 

Bacteria thrive in moist environments. This is why keeping your device site clean and dry is important.

If you have a medical device outside your body or a site in the body where a catheter enters, carefully follow your healthcare provider’s directions for cleaning. This typically includes gentle cleansing with soap and water or a special antiseptic solution, followed by thorough drying. 

Protect your device’s site during showering or bathing according to your instructions. Some devices should be covered with waterproof dressings or plastic wrap; others should not be submerged in water at all. 

Your healthcare team will provide guidance depending on your type of device. Gently pat the skin dry rather than rubbing because rubbing may irritate the skin. Pay attention to your dressings too. If a bandage or dressing becomes wet, dirty, or loose, change it right away.  

3. Follow Care Instructions at Home

Your healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions for caring for your device at home. These instructions aren’t suggestions but evidence-based practices designed specifically to keep you safe.

This might include flushing your catheter with saline or heparin at specific intervals or applying antibiotic ointment to insertion sites. Your healthcare provider might also advise taking prescribed antibiotics to prevent infection or avoiding certain activities that could contaminate or damage your device. 

Write these instructions down or ask for them in writing if they are only given verbally. Don’t be embarrassed to ask questions if something isn’t clear. Ask your nurse or doctor to show you the technique rather than just describing it. 

Many healthcare facilities offer video resources or written materials you can reference at home. Some even provide 24-hour hotlines you can call if questions come up later.

4. Attend Follow-Up Appointments

Follow-up visits are not just a formality. They are an essential part of infection surveillance. Doctors use these visits to monitor the healing process. They check for subtle signs that you might miss.

During these visits, doctors may perform several checks. They conduct physical exams of the device site. They may order blood tests to look for inflammatory markers like CRP (C-reactive protein). Follow-up appointments also help doctors identify complications such as blood clots or device shifting before they become emergencies.   

For cardiac devices, you’ll typically have an initial checkup within six weeks and follow-ups every few months. Your team will check your healing progress and use a device programmer to monitor the battery. 

If you’re an oncology patient, you’ll have to keep up with your port flushes even after your sessions are done. Keeping the port flushed ensures it stays in good working order, for whenever you might need it. 

Knowledge is Your Best Protection

Medical devices save lives and improve health every day. While infections are a potential risk, they are not inevitable, and most patients never experience serious problems. 

You can significantly reduce your risk if you stay informed and follow care instructions closely. 

Remember, you are an active partner in your care, not just a recipient of treatment. If you ever feel unsure, uncomfortable, or worried, speak up. Healthcare works best when patients and providers work together, with trust, awareness, and a shared goal of keeping you safe and well.

Why Mental Health Education Matters More Than Ever

Mental Health

Have you ever felt like mental health conversations are everywhere now—but still not fully understood? You’re not alone. Mental health affects how we think, feel, and act, yet for many years, it’s been pushed aside or talked about in whispers. Today, more people are finally recognizing how important it is to talk openly and learn about mental health from an early age. With rising stress levels, social pressures, and mental health challenges in all age groups, understanding mental wellness is no longer optional—it’s essential.

In this blog, we will share why mental health education matters more than ever and how it can change lives for the better.

Mental Health Issues Are on the Rise

More people are facing mental health problems than ever before. Children, teens, and adults are all showing higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. The COVID-19 pandemic made things even harder. It created a lot of fear, isolation, and uncertainty. Many people struggled to manage their emotions, and some didn’t know where to turn for help. This showed us how unprepared many communities are to support mental well-being.

When we teach mental health early, we give people the tools to cope with stress and emotions. It becomes easier for them to speak up when they’re feeling low or overwhelmed. Education helps people recognize warning signs in themselves and others. It’s not just about knowing mental disorders—it’s about understanding how to take care of our minds every day.

Education Builds Awareness and Reduces Stigma

For many years, people avoided talking about mental health. Some thought it was a sign of weakness or something to be ashamed of. But with the right education, we can change these harmful ideas. Learning about mental health helps people see it as a normal and important part of life. It shows that needing support isn’t something to hide.

Online CACREP counseling programs are playing a big part in shaping the next generation of counselors. These programs offer flexible, high-quality education that teaches students how to support mental well-being in all types of settings. By training more professionals through online learning, mental health care becomes more accessible. Education at every level—from schools to advanced degrees—helps break the silence and replaces shame with understanding.

It Helps Young People Develop Healthy Habits

Mental health education doesn’t just help with serious problems—it also teaches skills that protect mental wellness. Young people face all kinds of challenges, from school stress to peer pressure. Without guidance, they might develop harmful habits like bottling up emotions or ignoring their feelings. When schools include mental health in the curriculum, students learn how to talk about their emotions and build healthy ways to cope.

These lessons often include things like breathing exercises, journaling, or talking to someone when things get tough. With practice, these tools become habits. Students start to see that asking for help is a smart and brave step. The earlier they learn these skills, the more likely they are to use them throughout life. These positive routines help build stronger minds and safer communities.

It Supports Teachers and Parents, Too

Mental health education isn’t just for students. Teachers and parents play a big role in a child’s emotional life. When adults understand mental health, they’re better able to support young people. They can recognize signs that a child may be struggling. They can offer the right words and actions to help instead of making things worse without meaning to.

Workshops, online resources, and school-based programs can give adults the tools they need. They learn how to talk about tough topics, encourage open conversations, and respond with care. It’s easier for them to guide children when they understand what mental health really means. Supporting adults leads to better support for children, and the entire environment becomes healthier and safer.

Mental Health Impacts Academic and Work Performance

When someone is struggling emotionally, it affects everything—school, work, and even relationships. A student with anxiety may find it hard to focus. A worker with depression may miss days or feel disconnected from tasks. Mental health and productivity go hand in hand. If we want people to do their best, we need to support their emotional needs.

Mental health education can help identify what’s holding someone back and offer strategies to manage those issues. It encourages self-care, time management, and emotional check-ins. These habits make it easier to stay on track in school or at work. Education that includes emotional well-being leads to stronger performance, better attendance, and a deeper sense of purpose.

It Prepares People to Handle Life’s Challenges

Life is full of changes and challenges—some planned and others unexpected. Without strong mental health tools, even small setbacks can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s a tough breakup, a lost job, or moving to a new city, everyone goes through stress at some point. Mental health education teaches people how to face those hard times with strength and confidence.

When someone understands their emotions, they don’t get lost in them. They learn how to pause, think things through, and make smart choices. Education gives them a set of tools to stay steady when things get rough. These skills aren’t just useful in crisis—they’re valuable every day. Being emotionally prepared makes life smoother and more balanced.

In conclusion, mental health education is more than a trend—it’s a necessity. In today’s fast-changing world, we need to equip people with the knowledge, tools, and support to handle emotional challenges. Teaching about mental wellness helps individuals feel more in control, and it brings people together in stronger, more understanding communities. Whether it starts in a classroom, a family, or a training program, learning about mental health can change lives.

Why Students Should Consider Using KingEssays for Academic Help 

College life is tough. Really tough. Students today deal with more than just classes. They work jobs, join clubs, stress about loans, and try to have friends too. When three professors assign major papers due the same week, something’s gotta give. That’s when many turn to KingEssay.org for help.

Recent studies show this isn’t rare. About 87% of college students feel completely overwhelmed at some point during the school year, according to the American College Health Association. That’s not just a few struggling students—it’s almost everybody at some point.

Students don’t usually talk openly about using writing services. But stats don’t lie. Over 30% of undergrads have used some kind of writing help during college. KingEssay.org has become a go-to for many of them.

What Makes KingEssay Different?

KingEssay.org isn’t like other essay websites. They don’t just hire random writers. They match students with people who actually studied the subject. Need a psychology paper? You get a writer with psychology knowledge. Need help with literature? Someone who knows books will write it.

Their prices won’t break the bank. High school papers start at $11.99 per page, with higher prices for college and graduate work. That’s middle-of-the-road pricing. The benefits of using KingEssay for students go beyond just writing—they’ll edit papers you’ve written, proofread your work, or even help solve tough math problems.

What most students love is their revision policy. You get unlimited revisions for 10 days after getting your paper. Most other services give you just 1-3 revisions or make you pay extra.

How It Actually Works

The process isn’t complicated. Say you have a research paper on economic theory due next week, but you’re swamped with other assignments. You go to KingEssay.org, fill out what you need, when you need it, and what level you’re studying at. They find a writer who knows economics (often someone with an advanced degree). You can message this writer directly—sending them class notes, asking questions, or giving extra instructions.

The reasons to use KingEssay for writing become clear when you think about the stress it removes. Instead of panicking the night before, you can focus on learning the material while someone helps with the writing part. It’s kind of like having a writing tutor who specializes in your subject.

They have customer support people available 24/7, which helps when you suddenly remember important details at 2 AM. The website uses secure payment methods, and they promise to keep your information private.

A Different Way to Look at It

Here’s something most people don’t think about: these services can actually make you a better writer. Dr. Sarah Cooper, who researches education, has found that reading well-written papers in your field helps improve your own writing. It’s like learning by example.

The how KingEssay supports student learning isn’t just about finishing assignments. Their papers show you how to structure arguments, use sources correctly, and write in an academic style. Many students use the papers they receive as learning tools—studying how the writer organized ideas and connected concepts.

More Than Just Essays

KingEssay.org helps with lots of different assignments:

  1. Research papers for any class
  2. Business case studies
  3. Lab reports for science classes
  4. PowerPoint presentations
  5. College application essays
  6. Dissertations and thesis projects

This variety is one reason why choose KingEssay for academic help instead of other services. You can use them for almost any class, from freshman year all the way through grad school.

The Ethics Question

Let’s be honest about the ethics. Turning in someone else’s work as your own is considered cheating at every school. But students use these services in different ways:

  • Getting help when they’re stuck on how to start
  • Having someone edit papers they’ve already written
  • Learning how professional academic writing looks
  • Managing impossible workloads during crazy busy times

The KingEssay services for student success can be used ethically if you see them as learning tools rather than shortcuts. It’s up to each student to decide how to use the help they get.

Getting Your Money’s Worth

If you decide to try KingEssay.org, here’s how to get the best results:

  • Be super clear about what you need
  • Share your lecture notes and reading materials
  • Use the finished paper to learn better writing techniques
  • Order early—last-minute papers cost more
  • Read and understand what you get before turning it in

Being Practical

College costs are insane these days. Students pay around $35,000 per year when you add up tuition, books, housing, and everything else. Failing even one class means paying to take it again. Some students feel that paying for help makes financial sense, especially when they’re at risk of failing.

KingEssay.org offers a lifeline during those weeks when everything is due at once and you’re barely sleeping. Think of it as a tool—how you use it matters. Used smartly, it can help you through rough patches while still helping you learn and grow as a student.

How Do Teen Treatment Programs in Phoenix Compare to Other Arizona Cities?

This brief compares teen mental-health treatment options across Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, and smaller Arizona communities. Using a structured framework (levels of care, clinical approaches, access and capacity, family involvement, coordination with schools, and aftercare), it outlines where Phoenix tends to provide broader, more intensive services and where other cities may provide niche or community-integrated advantages.

Finding the right support for teens facing emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges often depends on location. Arizona provides a wide range of treatment options, but Phoenix stands out for its variety of resources, structured programs, and access to specialized care compared to other cities in the state. Families often weigh whether a program for troubled youth in Phoenix provides more advantages than options in Scottsdale, Tucson, or smaller communities. When comparing locations, consider factors such as travel distance, insurance coverage, school coordination, waitlists, and the availability of strong aftercare to support continued progress at home.

Research Question

How do teen treatment programs in Phoenix differ from those in Scottsdale, Tucson, and smaller Arizona cities across (1) level of care, (2) therapeutic models, (3) access and capacity, (4) family integration, (5) school coordination, and (6) aftercare?

Scope & Method (Approach)

  • Comparative lens: City-level program characteristics rather than individual facilities.
  • Evaluation dimensions:
    1. Level of care (IOP, PHP, residential)
    2. Therapeutic models (CBT/DBT, trauma-informed, co-occurring care)
    3. Access & capacity (program variety, wait times, insurance acceptance)
    4. Family integration (frequency/structure of family sessions)
    5. School coordination (on-site or linked academics, counselor collaboration)
    6. Aftercare (step-down plans, relapse-prevention, community supports)

Note: This is a framework comparison meant to guide family decisions; availability varies by insurer, diagnosis, and date.

Key Takeaways

Phoenix provides the widest range of levels of care and specialty tracks, which can shorten pathways into the right-fit intensity (especially for higher-acuity needs).

Scottsdale often features boutique/smaller-cohort models with strong family participation and individualized plans.

Tucson frequently integrates community and school resources, with solid outpatient and PHP options and bridges between settings.

Smaller communities may provide tight-knit, personalized support, but families often travel for higher-acuity residential or specialty services.

Best outcomes come from matching intensity to need, not from location alone.

Comparative Findings

1) Level of Care & Intensity

Phoenix: Broad continuum (IOP, PHP, multiple residential options with 24/7 supervision). Advantage for teens needing structured, round-the-clock care or quick step-ups/step-downs.

Scottsdale/Tucson: Reliable outpatient/PHP; fewer residential beds than Phoenix. Good for teens who are stable enough to benefit from community-based routines.

Smaller communities: Outpatient counseling and limited IOP; residential often requires referral to larger cities.

2) Therapeutic Models & Specialization

Phoenix: Wider menu of evidence-based modalities (CBT, DBT, trauma-informed approaches, co-occurring care; some experiential options like equine/yoga). Larger centers may provide specialty tracks (e.g., anxiety, mood disorders, substance use)

Scottsdale: Emphasis on small groups, family-systems work, and tailored plans; some programs lean toward holistic or experiential.

Tucson: Blends clinical work with community partnerships (youth programs, vocational/academic supports).

Smaller communities: Strong individual therapy; specialty tracks less common.

3) Access, Capacity & Practical Barriers

  • Programs → greater capacity and typically shorter waits for certain levels of care; broader insurance coverage and payment pathways.
  • Scottsdale/Tucson: Fewer total slots but may provide faster starts in specific tracks; personalized triage.

Smaller communities: Access can hinge on a few providers; families may face waitlists or travel for higher intensity.

4) Family Involvement

Phoenix: Standardized family therapy curricula, workshops, and weekend programming in many residential/PHP settings.

Scottsdale: Often high-touch family engagement with smaller caseloads and tailored homework/communication plans.

Tucson/Smaller communities: Consistent participation possible; depth depends on provider resources and caseload.

5) School Coordination & Academics

  • Phoenix: More programs with on-site academic support or dedicated school liaisons; easier to maintain credits during treatment.
  • Tucson: Strong tradition of school-linked supports, making it practical for PHP/IOP while staying enrolled.

Scottsdale/Smaller communities: Collaboration varies; families may need to advocate for 504/IEP or flex schedules.

6) Aftercare & Continuity

Phoenix: Larger networks ease step-down (residential → PHP → IOP → outpatient); more peer groups and relapse-prevention groups.

Scottsdale/Tucson: Effective aftercare via community clinicians and school supports; sometimes lighter group options than Phoenix.

Smaller communities: Strong one-to-one follow-up; group variety may be limited, requiring telehealth supplements.

Practical Decision Guide (Match Needs to Setting)

  • Higher acuity / safety concerns / complex co-occurring needs: Start with Phoenix for residential or robust PHP.
  • Moderate symptoms with strong family support: Scottsdale small-cohort or Tucson community-integrated programs can fit.
  • Preference to stay local with stable symptoms:Smaller communities plus telehealth groups; plan for escalation path if needed.

Limitations

  • Programs are changing (new tracks, staffing, insurance panels).
  • Wait times and access differ by season and insurer.
  • Individual outcomes depend on fit, engagement, and aftercare, not location alone.

Conclusion

Phoenix generally provides the widest continuum and capacity, which benefits teens who need structured, intensive care or smooth transitions between levels. Scottsdale and Tucson can excel for families seeking smaller groups, strong family systems work, or community-linked supports, while smaller communities provide personalized local care augmented by referrals or telehealth. The best choice is the program that matches the teen’s clinical needs and home context, pairs treatment with family and school coordination, and guarantees a clear aftercare pathway.

Teaching Science: Tips for Gifted Learners

A Science Education Curriculum That Supports High Quality Learning

Strategies and techniques are presented along with examples of how to apply each strategy in teaching gifted and talented learners in science at all grade levels.

Teaching science through a balance of content and process considerations is essential for gifted learners. This emphasis must include original student investigations, concept development, and interdisciplinary applications. This emphasis on gifted and talented learning must include laboratory-based science as a central tenet for providing high-quality learning opportunities in science education at all levels.

Collaborative teaching science opportunities work well with gifted and talented learners, and structured collaborative opportunities are needed for these learners. Teaching strategies must challenge gifted learners through problem-based learning activities that create critical thinking situations. Professionals from https://essaywriter.com/, a free AI essay writer, state that science education curriculum elements essential for high-ability learners include the following tips.

Teaching Strategies

Students learn deeper than just fundamental ideas by structuring the science curriculum to emphasize science learning designed for gifted and talented learners. Concepts such as systems, change, and scale all provide an important scaffolding of learning regarding core ideas of science.

One teaching science example involves gifted learners working on a project in the classroom.

Ask them how fast they are traveling. Suppose they are sitting on the North Pole. Now, how fast are they traveling? Answers to both questions require understanding the concepts of the Earth’s rotational speed and orbital speed. Suppose students have special suits that allow them to stand in the sun. How fast are they traveling now? Learners need to understand the rotational speed of the Milky Way.

Accommodations and Learning Styles

Teaching techniques include graphic organizers, scaffolding, extra practice, extra time, large-print, and electronic materials. Examples include:

Direct and Explicit Instruction: Ensure that students are given clear directions for tasks and explanations of what they are expected to learn from a science activity.

One example is reading the procedural steps of a science investigation, discussing expected observations, and describing how the data collected will be recorded on the laboratory report.

Hands-On Activities: Use science laboratory equipment and materials for experiments.

One example is when students follow a teacher’s directions to investigate the states of matter using various materials. Students read with their teacher about supporting resources regarding the properties of matter and perform a hands-on activity related to the states of matter.

Science Vocabulary: Use a variety of strategies and techniques for modeling vocabulary.

One example is teaching students how to create flashcards or develop concept maps to learn science vocabulary definitions.

Classroom Learning Center: The center includes reading materials, hands-on materials, and technology resources to allow students to review information about science concepts. If appropriate assistive technologies are available, they must be in the learning center to support science learning.

One example is providing access to an online interactive science activity focusing on the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere.

Science and Society

Gifted and talented learners must learn to connect science concepts to their world. They must analyze the relationship between real-world problems and implications for understanding connections between science and society. Experiments, surveys, role-playing, case studies, and debates are some of the processes gifted learners can use to address issues.

One teaching science example focuses on gifted learners studying the impact of food technology and its long-term impact on humans.

Students need to make connections between diseases caused by technological advances in growing food, the impact of food shortages worldwide, the impact of genetic alteration of foods, and the impact of fertilizers on the environment.

Problem-Based Learning

The more gifted and talented learners construct an understanding of science, the better they can solve problems by applying scientific processes in problem-based learning activities. Teacher-guided questions, collaborative dialogue and discussions, and individual exploration allow students to develop scientists’ habits of mind, which include skepticism, objectivity, and curiosity.

One teaching science example focuses on air quality from a local, national, and international perspective.

Gifted learners focus on real-world solutions for controlling carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and all the other pollutants that cause air pollution.

Science and Technology

Using technology to teach science offers exciting possibilities for connecting students to real-world opportunities. Internet access provides students with connections to real-time databases for teaching using online science projects. Also, the use of e-mail, Twitter, and Skype provides learners with the tools to communicate directly with scientists and other students around the world.

One example of a teaching strategy using technology is using a virtual chemistry lab to conduct experiments with resources that are not typically available in a gifted and talented classroom.

Science Projects

Science projects must focus on experimental design and its related processes. Typically, texts only offer canned experiments where students follow the steps to a preordained conclusion. Designing their work in science requires gifted and talented learners to read and discuss a particular topic of interest, then they must:

  • Come up with a problem to test
  • Design an experiment to test the problem
  • follow through with appropriate procedures
  • conduct further discussion
  • Reanalyze the problem
  • communicate findings to a relevant audience

One example is based on designing an experiment to test how a plant’s growth is impacted when subjected to only red, orange, yellow, green, or blue light.

Learning Assessment: Focusing on Student Achievement against Benchmarks

Using learning assessments, both formative and informal, to measure students’ understanding of science concepts provides useful information for providing direction for assisting students. Examples include:

Rubrics: Provide students with grading criteria that describe the levels of quality for each criterion, normally using a point scale.

One example describes the quality levels required to complete a mousetrap car science project. The rubric provides descriptors of excellent, adequate, partial, or poor for each grading component of the project.

Frequent Assessments: Do not rely on unit tests or exams as the only means of assessment.

One example is using a quiz to assess learning about the parts of a plant instead of including the quiz elements within a unit test on plants.

Variety of Assessments: Use a variety of assessments such as quizzes, homework, notebook grades, class participation, projects, graphic organizers, group work, written assignments, and presentations. Some of this variety capitalizes on learning students’ strengths or preferences.

One example is allowing students to select from a graphic organizer, a PowerPoint presentation, or a written paper to explain why the Earth has seasons.

Student Access to Grades: Regularly providing each student with online or offline access to updated grade reports.

One example is using a science class, which provides a list of categories in which students are assessed during a grading period and the current grade for each category. Students are provided with a password to access their grades only.

Provide Personalized Feedback: Conduct periodic one-on-one meetings or give personal feedback on class work with students. This feedback focuses on their progress in learning science concepts and achieving course or assignment objectives.

One example is writing specific comments on a science project rubric, providing additional feedback on success or how to achieve expectations.

Making Connections with Gifted and Talented Learners and Science Education

An appropriate science education curriculum that promotes high-quality learning is desirable for gifted and talented learners and all other learners. Access to such learning is mandatory for all learners demonstrating a strong desire for a challenging science curriculum in schools.

Gifted and talented learners must be challenged using teaching strategies that cause these students to use critical thinking skills, focus on resolving science problems that impact society, and use technology as a focal point to resolve science issues that require inquiry into science systems, change, and scale.