Students in health science classes work on projects

by Brandi Miller for the FCT

Ask any student in school and they will most likely tell you the material that sticks with them, the material they remember the most, is the material they are able to actually do.  It’s not the material that they read in a textbook, but rather when they can actually perform whatever they are reading about.  Sometimes, that isn’t possible, but when it is, most teachers will agree that doing an activity is much more beneficial than just reading about an activity.

In the last few weeks, students in the Health Science Classes in Franklin County have been studying about the anatomy and function of the human body.

“In health care, it is important to be able to apply knowledge when performing health care procedures, “ said Health Science teacher Dr. Kay Hargett. “After studying about various procedures, students had the opportunity to learn the application of the human body by learning how to perform interosseous sticks to obtain intravenous access.  Students were able to stick chicken legs not only to learn the anatomy involved in the process, but how it actually feels to stick a bone to obtain interosseous access.”

The health science students were able to gain knowledge through application, which is one of the trademarks and key components of the class.  Research has shown that combining activities that require movement, talking, and listening, immediately activates multiple areas of the brain.

“As educators, it is extremely important to get students to be able to think outside the box,” said Hargett. “When students are encouraged to be creative, this lets the student know there are various ways to learn and have fun in doing so as well.”

The sophomore, junior and senior health science classes utilized play dough to construct various organs of the human body as well.  This was also an opportunity for students to become actively engaged in the learning process.

Junior Jamal Anderson shows his play dough model

“Making something is much more interesting than just reading about it,” said sophomore, Andrew Ray.  “I remembered it so much more and I had fun.”

Between sticking chicken legs and creating human organs with play dough, the health science class is a popular one on campuses for a good reason.  Dr. Hargett always goes above and beyond to make sure the students who leave her class are prepared in both knowledge, and hands-on experience.  This is a class that students leave and are still talking about later in the day.