Anatomy Students Explore Human Systems at Northeastern

On November 7, nearly 70 Westwood

High School students from our Anatomy and Physiology classes took part in an extraordinary field trip to Northeastern University’s Bouvé College of Health Sciences. Traveling by train from Islington to Ruggles, students began their visit in the auditorium, where they were welcomed by Dr. Eric Folmar, who provided an overview of the day. From there, students rotated through two hands-on learning experiences: the digital Anatomage Lab and Northeastern’s Human Anatomy Lab. Using high-resolution digital cadavers and iPads, students explored body systems and real medical anomalies such as bone malformations and pyloric cancer.

In the adjacent human anatomy lab, students examined five real cadavers. They also explored a wide range of plastinated and preserved specimens, including human hearts, brains, lungs, and more. In addition, they viewed surgical implants such as metal knee replacements and pacemakers. The pacemakers included visible leads that connected to the heart’s right atrium, helping restore function when the SA node is not working properly. With guidance from Northeastern graduate physical therapy students, WHS students had the chance to identify organs and structures like the sciatic nerve, compare tendons and nerves, and see firsthand how anatomy can be altered by injury, age, or medical intervention.

After lunch at the Curry Student Center, where students observed campus life and student activities, they returned to the Behrakis Health Sciences Center for diagnostic sessions led by physical therapy students. In these small-group workshops, WHS students first acted as patients, learning about joint testing, muscle strength, and movement patterns. They then switched roles to become the physical therapists themselves, conducting reflex tests, locating bones and muscles, and practicing physical assessment techniques. These engaging sessions gave students not only anatomical insight but also a window into the educational path and career possibilities in physical therapy.

A highlight of the day was seeing three Westwood High School alumni in action, two of whom were graduate physical therapy students now pursuing their careers in health sciences. The third alum, a current Northeastern junior, shared her perspective as someone just a few years ahead on the same journey and who attended our first field trip to Northeastern a few years ago. The trip concluded with a brief walking tour of campus, including a stop at Northeastern’s new Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex, where students admired a staircase designed to resemble a DNA double helix and took in the makerspace.

From start to finish, the day offered students a powerful and immersive learning experience that brought classroom content to life while offering a glimpse into future educational and career paths. The feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive, and it is safe to say this will be a field trip they will not forget!