​AP Biology Class Collaborates with CMU

The CCHS AP Biology class immersed in cutting-edge biotechnology, thanks to a collaboration with a biomedical engineering professor at CMU, Professor Conrad Zapanta. AP instructor, Mr. Mark Krotec has served as a lead outreach educator for the field of tissue engineering over the past fifteen years, developing curricula, directing summer camps, and presenting at numerous venues such as high schools and science teaching conferences. The AP class performed a lab activity in the CMU Biomedical Engineering teaching lab involving the manipulation of adult stem cells in efforts to generate precursors to myofibers (muscle cells). A few weeks later, six AP students (Noh Donnenberg, Nate Lampenfeld, Matt Pilewski, Ryan Nguyen, Jorge Reyes-Arbujas, and Colm Parrish) then led the Oakland Catholic AP Biology class through the same investigation. Cassie Sirockman, the AP instructor at OC, was quite impressed and delighted with the performance of the CCHS students. According to Mrs. Sirockman, “They were extremely knowledgeable, helpful, patient, and able to convey complex material in appropriate means.” Central Catholic and Oakland Catholic will continue this collaboration in the second semester with more biotechnology labs to be performed in a CMU teaching laboratory.