ELKHART — They're the doctors, surgeons and scientists of the future. About 130 Elkhart Central students are taking an honors course to learn more about jobs in the medical field.

Elkhart Central is one of just two schools in the area to offer the program, called Project Lead the Way. The curriculum was actually developed in New York.

It's not your typical high school biology class, and the ECHS freshman in the Biomedical Sciences course aren't like other students.

"I wanted something that was more of a challenge," said freshman Ryan Gingrich.

His classmate Destiny Smith said she's just excited about learning.

The four-year honors curriculum involves the study of life and how the body acts, and how medicine can improve life, said Biomedical Sciences teacher Jolynn Shull.

"Hopefully these kids will go into the community with a better science knowledge and better able to help in the medical field," said ECHS Science Department head Eric Jantzen.

Student Destiny Smith told WSBT she signed up for the course because she wants to be a pedatric surgeon. She knows she will have more classes and more work than her peers.

"I'm excited about being in the lab," she said.

Another thing that makes the Biomedical Sciences class different from others — there aren't any textbooks. Instead, most work will be hands-on in the classroom or on the computer.

"Everything is based on using the equipment [and] the methods they're gonig to use in the medical field when they go into the work place," explained Eric Jantzen.

Not all of the students know what they want to do after high school or college, but they are willing to lead the way toward a better future for themselves and their community.

"If they don't necessarily know how lucky they are, I think they're excited," said teacher Jolynn Shull.

The school's top students were given the option to sign up for the course. They don't have to stay in the biomedical sciences program the whole four years if they don't want to.

The students will have more homework and more responsibilities throughout their high school career. They're also keeping a career journal all four years. It's supposed to help them decide what they want to do after graduation.