Frequently Asked Questions


  • What is the LSA?
    • The Life Science Academy (LSA) is a dual-credit, accelerated, bio-medical program dedicated to high school students in the Owensboro Region.
    • We were envisioned in 2010 by a panel of community leaders as a means to meet the educational and professional needs of our students.
    • We provide a world-class, hands-on, science-based education and increased access to the growing healthcare industry.
  • Where is the LSA?
    • All four LSA courses are taught at the OCTC main campus in the science building
  • Who teaches at the LSA
    • Ben Morris, BS Science
    • Chad Wilkerson, PhD, Research Scientist
  • What courses are offered?
    • Principles of Biomedical Science (freshmen)
    • Human Body Systems (sophomores)
    • Medical Intervention (juniors)
    • Biomedical Innovation (senior capstone)
  • What is the curriculum like?
    • Our base curriculum comes from Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a national leader in STEM education.
    • It is problem and project-based, rooted in real world investigation and problem solving.
    • The PLTW curriculum is our “backbone” but as our faculty all work in the research or human health fields, they are able to offer additional advanced learning experiences throughout the year, including service learning and lab internships.
    • Common student products include scientific manuscripts, scientific posters and presentations made to expert panels.
FAQS Re: COLLEGE
  • Where are LSA students enrolled?
    • Area high school freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors
    • Our students are also enrolled as college students at Owensboro Community & Technical College. They have OCTC student ID numbers, emails and transcripts.
  • What type of credit do students receive?
    • Students get 4 credits for each year-long course
    • 16 total after the full 4-year program
    • The credits are electives and transfer as electives by law to all KY public universities.
    • Out-of-state and private school reciprocation agreements are arrange by case and with full support of the LSA and OCTC.
  • How much is the college tuition?
    • Our students’ tuition is paid to OCTC directly from the Kentucky Department of Education through Post-Secondary SEEK Funds.
FAQS Re: ENROLLMENT & APPLICATION
  • Who is currently enrolled?
    • We have students from Owensboro, Daviess County, Apollo, Owensboro Catholic and Hancock County High Schools.
    • Our average enrollment is 100 students.
  • What type of student enrolls?
    • Students interested in science or research
    • Students interested in careers in biomedical or health-related fields
    • Common career goals include doctors, researchers, nurses, phycologists, biologists, nurse practitioners, veterinarians, various types of therapist…etc.
  • How do they apply?
    • There is a 3 step process to apply
      • Complete the LSA online application
      • Complete the OCTC online application
      • Test (ACT)
  • What scores are required?
    • Our students are required to meet college-ready benchmarks
      • ACT = 18 Composite (no writing section)
  • Why must LSA students be college-ready?
    • Our classes are taught at the college-level, by faculty with years of experience teaching college classes, and require advanced math, comprehension and problem-solving skills.
  • When can student apply?
    • We recruit from the 8th grade advanced math classes at all area middle schools in January for the coming year.
    • Students enter as freshman.
    • For highly motivated students we will consider enrollment as a sophomore into our sophomore course
  • Can students with draw if they are unhappy
    • The LSA is an elective. Yes, students may withdraw.
    • We strongly recommend every student complete their current year with us, but for special case it is possible to withdraw during the first semester. In those cases students will not receive college credit for the course.
FAQs re: High Schools
  • Where are student grades posted?
    • Our grades do not appear in Infinite Campus
    • All LSA grades are posted to our Learning Management System, called Canvas, through Project Lead the Way.
    • Students are encouraged to share their passwords with their parents so they can view their progress.
    • All students and parents participate in Teacher Conferences in the first semester of each year.
  • How does the LSA affect my high school schedule?
    • The LSA is used as an elective.
    • Some high schools also offer credit for other types of courses if students are enrolled in the LSA, but this is variable.
    • All students should receive 1 credit for each semester they participate in the LSA, providing 2 total each year.
    • Some of our students take advantage of summer and online courses through their high schools to meet high school requirements or just to take additional classes in which they have interest.
  • How does the LSA affect my high school participation?
    • We want all our students to be as involved in their high school extra-curricular programs as possible.
    • We work with each student on an individual basis to leave early or arrive late when necessitated by participation in other activities.
    • For example: sport practices, away games, academic team practices, student council meetings, band competitions, etc.
  • How does the LSA affect my high school grades?
    • Your LSA grade goes on your college transcript at OCTC as one year-long grade for each course.
    • Your LSA grade also appears on your high school transcript at the end of each semester.
    • Progress reports are also sent throughout the year as requested by your high school.