A Human Anatomy Short-Course for High School Students at Northern Illinois University

This spring 142 junior and senior high school students came to the anatomy lab at Northern Illinois University for a short-course in human gross anatomy funded by an Outreach grant from the American Association of Anatomists. When they arrived some were excited others were not so sure but they left with a profound sense of accomplishment and a renewed enthusiasm for learning.

Between March and May five separate groups of students (15 to 50 per class) spent 9 - 12 hrs. per day over a one to two day period studying gross anatomy in our cadaver laboratory. Teachers from each school met with our staff several weeks prior to the course to discuss the organization of the study material and view the facilities. Upon arrival, the students took a 20 question pre-test covering all regions of the body. They then broke into study groups and spent between 40 - 80 min. at one of five work stations. The groups then rotated through the work stations over the course of the day. Work stations included prosected cadaver study, cadaver dissection, model study and independent study and break time. Cadavers were manned by faculty members who either demonstrated the relevant structures or supervised the dissection of a particular body region. Each student had a syllabus listing structures to be identified on the cadavers and models. As they rotated from one station to the next the student was responsible for acquiring the information outlined in the syllabus. Thus, they gained information through active participation rather than by passively listening to a lecture. At the end of the short-course the students filled out a 20 question post-test, a course evaluation and took a 25 question practical examination over the material that they had covered. The practical results were incorporated into their grade back at school.

The evaluation results showed an overwhelmingly positive response from the students (mean evaluation score was 4.57 + 0.5 with 5 being the best). The real bonus in this exercise was that the students actually learned something. The post-test mean (11.4 + 0.3 ) was statistically greater than the pre-test (9.0 + 0.2 , p < 0.001). All teachers agreed that the program was a success and the all plan to return next year in addition to other groups that have applied to come. Some teachers who brought students last year have reported a 100% increase in the number of students wishing to enter their fall classes. The truly heartening lesson from this exercise is that when provided with a true and worthwhile challenge, high school students will rise to the occasion and do their best. We plan to continue our program and provide them with that opportunity.