Design Projects in Human Anatomy & Physiology

• Published in: The American biology teacher Vol. 70; no. 4; pp. 230 - 234
• Main Authors: Polizzotto, Kristin, Ortiz, Mary T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Reston National Association of Biology Teachers 01.04.2008; University of California Press; University of California Press Books Division
• Subjects: Anatomy; Anatomy & physiology; Biology; Biomedical research; Cells; College Science; College Students; Colleges & universities; Community Colleges; Course Content; Creative activities (Education); Creative activities and seat work; Creative Thinking; Curricula; Design; Endocrine system; Freezing; Freezing point; Human anatomy; Human Body; Human organs; Inquiry & Investigations; Joints; Learning; Lesson planning; Lesson plans; Methods; Metric System; Molecular Structure; Occupational therapy; Organelles; Physical therapy; Physiology; Science education; Science Instruction; Science teachers; Sciences education; Study and teaching; Teacher organizations; Thinking Skills; Urban Schools; Writing Assignments; United States
• ISSN: 0002-7685; 1938-4211
• DOI: 10.1662/0002-7685%282008%2970%5B230%3ADPIHAP%5D2.0.CO%3B2

Very often, some type of writing assignment is required in college entry-level Human Anatomy and Physiology courses. This assignment can be anything from an essay to a research paper on the literature, focusing on a faculty-approved topic of interest to the student. As educators who teach Human Anatomy and Physiology at an urban community college, the authors believe it is important to provide students with an assignment that challenges not only their knowledge of the subject, but also their imaginations. To achieve this goal, they assign Design Projects in Human Anatomy and Physiology. In this article, the authors describe these design projects, which not only capture students' interest, but also challenge them to use creative thinking skills. They conclude by discussing the benefits of these projects to the students.