Bay Shore schools install three Anatomage tables to expand anatomy curriculum

Bay Shore Union Free School District installed three Anatomage virtual dissection tables, funded entirely by grant money and delivered Oct. 11, to expand hands-on anatomy and physiology instruction and support a planned college-credit partnership with LIU Post, district staff and teachers said.

Miss Blaze, a Bay Shore Union Free School District staff member, told the board the district secured the three tables with help from Ellen Herrick and the district’s Office of Information Services and that “we were able to fund all three of these tables entirely for grant funding.”

The tables allow students to explore layered, three-dimensional human anatomy, instructors said. “This is really a transformative learning experience,” said Mr. Fee, a Bay Shore science teacher, describing the equipment as more than “a virtual 3-D dissection tool” and noting that the machines include five fully integrated digital cadavers and about 1,500 anonymized CT and MRI scans.

Teachers described several classroom uses already underway. Mr. Pete, identified in the presentation as a science teacher who teaches biology, anatomy and physiology and medical careers, said teachers use the tables in living environment biology, anatomy and physiology and forensic modules and that advanced-placement and International Baccalaureate students have used them after school to prepare for tests. The district will offer an anatomy and physiology course for college credit through LIU Post beginning this September, Miss Blaze said.

Students who demonstrated the technology told the board they find the tools helpful for visualizing systems and clinical concepts. Nabila Khan, an AP Chemistry student and founder of the MCAT study group, said, “As a student planning to enter the health care professions, this tool gave me a head start.” Demonstrators showed the board a preloaded digital cadaver named “Hans,” a measuring tool that returned about 161.94 millimeters in one example, and a cardiology module that can isolate chambers, valves and electrical conduction.

Teachers also described a student-run study group that formed around the equipment. Mr. Pete said the informal group has attracted “at least 20 or 30 kids” from ninth through 12th grade who come after school to use the tables; staff said they hope to formalize it into a club. Mr. Fee suggested the district could pursue partnerships with the large hospitals on the South Shore to expand career-readiness opportunities.

District staff and teachers noted features they view as useful beyond anatomy instruction: an online sharing platform called Anatomage Share where teachers can exchange lessons, histology and microscope modules for cellular study, and the ability to upload and share teacher-created content. Presenters said the equipment supports cross-curricular work, linking biology, AP Psychology and medical-career coursework.

There were no motions or votes attached to the presentation. The board viewed demonstrations from students and teachers and discussed plans to increase curricular use and after-school programming.

School staff and teachers said the hardware and content were delivered and are operational; additional training support is available from an Anatomage representative who lives locally and can provide on-site assistance if needed. Funding beyond the initial grant, including costs for maintenance, upgrades or further software, was not specified during the presentation.