Palm Beach Gardens Students Get an Inside Look into Health and Science

BTE Student Stories

In Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, the BTE program continues to give students real exposure to the world of health and science through hands-on learning as well as mentorship from our dedicated Johnson & Johnson employee volunteers.

So far this year, students worked directly with Johnson & Johnson Orthopedics products, including the Velys Knee Surgery Robot, PureVue Arthroscopic Tower, and Kincise 2 tools for knee implants. Through these experiences, students got an inside look into the wide range of roles in orthopedics—from research and manufacturing to operations and procurement.

Thanks to these hands-on activities, students feel confident enough to connect with their mentors, ask questions and talk about future opportunities. They have also been reflecting on what they valued most from their time with BTE, noting the impact of the guidance and effort that mentors, volunteers, and organizers dedicate to the program.

This quarter’s activities blended STEM2D learning, career exploration, and college preparation with interactive field trips and weekly sessions. Students participated in hands-on labs where they used laparoscopic tools to remove seeds from watermelons, explored robotic knee surgery technology, and worked with orthopedic power tools used in hip replacements. These activities helped connect what students learn in class to real-world applications in health and science.

To give students a break from their usual routines and academic pressures, one session was set aside for a creative challenge where students used flexible LED tubes to design their own fashion looks. It was a simple but effective way for students to connect with each other in a more casual environment.

The Palm Beach Gardens team has also focused heavily on college preparation, demystifying the application process and helping students with resumes, essays, and planning. With support from mentors and a variety of learning experiences, students feel more prepared and confident about their post-secondary education journeys!