Studies Database

Ducceschi LJ, Hart LA, Storm WA, Wood MW. Teaching human biology and health in pre-college [abstract]. ALTEX. 2011;28(Special Issue):234. Abstract 435.

Continuing a historic tradition and following national and state standards for teaching human and animal biology and body systems, elementary and high school science teachers employ anatomical specimens and models in laboratory activities. Students explore the anatomical models or specimens and gain a perspective on their own bodies that can include a growing understanding of health maintenance. These high school classes offer most students their last formal opportunity to consolidate knowledge about their own bodies and health care. High motivation accompanies these activities that include or simulate dissection and even physiological processes. Students gain an opportunity to integrate knowledge concerning the basic biology of the human body and how that relates to specific experiences of family members with various medical conditions.

We provide a convenient guide to free teaching resources on human and animal anatomy that have been peer-reviewed by science teachers for use in intermediate and secondary schools. Point-and-click access leads to free, refereed web-based resources for teaching about human body systems. Sites were selected from focus group reviews by teachers. A related webquest presents activities and teacher guides that make use of the websites, all available at: http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/Animal_Alternatives/goanatomy.html

Complementary to these web resources are models of human and body systems and organs available free from The Science Bank at Animalearn through an easy-to-use loan program. The models and manikins, plus additional CD-ROMS and software, are rated for educational level and are loaned at no cost by Animalearn.

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