Anatomage Table: Technology Beyond Compare

After attending a summer training day on how the Anatomage table works, I was excited to use the technology in my semester of student teaching. The table is one of the most high-tech 3D anatomy visualization system of its kind. Most schools use the technology for anatomy, physiology, biomedical science, health, and other human biology classes. At Oley Valley, we are one of the first schools to use the table in our agriculture program. Check out how my natural resource management classes used one of the images of the worm on the Anatomage table to learn about soil aeration.

Just days before the start of Penn State's fall semester, I attended a training event at Oley Valley High School on their new Anatomage table. Biology, health, anatomy, agriculture, and other teachers were excited to learn just how this piece of equipment could be used. For this specific day, teachers were instructed how to manipulate the table to their advantage. With the day of training, it proved quite the impressive piece of technology.

After practicing by myself in the Anatomage classroom for a few hours, I was ready to bring my students to learn about the capabilities of this new piece of equipment. Once students entered the classroom, they were blown away by the technology. At the end of the class period, I gave students time to explore the table's case files. Students thought the different animals available for viewing was impressive. My favorite scan is a two-headed calf!

When I was planning my lessons for student teaching, I knew I had to include the Anatomage table in my instruction. In my natural resource management course, I was able to bring up images of the earthworm to discuss prior to our classroom dissection. When looking at the table, students could see the parts of the worm on a much larger scale. Once we cut the worms up on the dissection trays, students had a better understanding of where the anatomical parts of the worm were.

For the "pick one" assignment, I was brainstorming of possibilities. The Anatomage table seemed like the perfect choice. This piece of equipment provides students with such a unique learning opportunity. I am excited to see where this technology takes students in the future!