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| Students are creating styrofoam models of the head to learn about facial muscles. |
By Maya Quale
At the Dayton Regional STEM School, Ms. Campbell’s Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) students hit the ground running, continuing to work on their muscular unit, by creating Styrofoam head models of the head muscles. Currently, the A&P students are learning the anatomy of the muscles and have already taken the physiology portion of the muscular unit test.
Because DRSS focuses on project-based learning, the students have created Styrofoam head models, using various craft supplies: paint, pipe cleaners, clay, markers, etc. Students have split off into groups of no more than three and have created the models with at least 15 of the facial muscles, along with a key identifying the muscles and the actions they perform.
The models are creative and intricate and showcase the student’s improved comprehension of the facial muscles. Learning about the human body at DRSS is not only about memorization, it is also about fostering a creative mind, which creates an enjoyable learning environment.
When asked “How has creating the Styrofoam head models helped your understanding of the facial muscles?” 11th grade student Anjali Phadke says, “While Ms. Campbell’s class is very structured, projects and creative assignments like these are an immense help to my memorization and understanding of the muscles.”
With the first semester flying by so quickly, students will have to put the time and effort into learning the next seven chapters in the coming months, filled with projects similar to the Styrofoam head models.
