(6/2/2025) Having knowledge and ability to effectively communicate information was on display by Biomedical Sciences and Engineering students at Coon Rapids High School (CRHS) at a senior recognition and capstone presentation night held Wednesday, May 29.
Why it matters: Anoka-Hennepin Schools aims to “prepare students for life.” Capstone projects require students to apply accumulated knowledge and skills to a real-world problem or a complex research question. This is an extended project completed in collaboration with a team of other students and in some instances, a professional industry mentor. The capstone presentation is the final step.
Go deeper: Wade Demmer, Vice President, Research and Development of Cardiac Pacing Therapies at Medtronic was a key supporter of the programs at CRHS when they were first developed in 2015. Upon completion of the seven student presentations, Demmer was called to the stage to provide perspective stating that students “have become scientists and engineers,” defining the CRHS programs as “a college-level experience in a public high school.”
Real-world approach: Medtronic has been a key industry partner with CRHS along with Agressive Hydraulics, Corteva, an Iowa-based agriscience company, and graduate students from the University of Minnesota’s biostatistics program, amongst other partners and at Aggressive Hydraulics, numerous volunteer industry mentors.
Leading the way: Known as the Center for Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, CRHS utilizes an industry-leading curriculum from Project Lead the Way and is one of two Minnesota high schools to earn distinguished school status from that organization, along with neighboring Blaine High School. Lana Rice serves as curriculum integration coordinator along with a teaching team that includes Biomedical teachers Kelly Beulke, Ann Gliddon and Luke Gliddon, as well as engineering teachers Scott Storrick, Laura Marx and Christian Klein.
View the event program and project information
View the Center for Biomedical Sciences and Engineering website for more information and information on how to enroll. Coon Rapids High School is part of the Northwest Suburban Integration District which provides transportation for students who reside outside the established attendance area.
