High school students in the Finger Lakes region are getting an early start on their college education through a new collaboration with Northeast College of Health Sciences. The college has launched the Principles of Human Anatomy and Physiology course, designed specifically for high school students to earn college credits while experiencing advanced healthcare education.
The program, developed in partnership with local K-12 school districts, offers students hands-on exposure to human anatomy at Northeast College’s Seneca Falls campus. Mynderse Academy senior Makayla Williams is among 12 students participating in the inaugural class, with aspirations of becoming a neuroscientist.
The students travel monthly to Northeast’s state-of-the-art Anatomy Center, where they learn about cadaveric dissection—the gold standard for studying human anatomy. They also engage with cutting-edge digital anatomy tools, such as the Anatomage virtual dissection tables, which provide 3D visualization of human cadavers.
Associate Professor Dr. Ilija Arar, who leads the laboratory sessions, is excited about the students’ progress. “You are doing a bang-up job on the labs,” he told them during a recent session. “I hope this experience will ignite a spark to create a new generation of science-literate individuals and future healthcare providers from our region.”
The course’s lecture portion is taught daily at Mynderse Academy by biology teacher Scott Redding, who emphasizes that it not only provides a foundation for careers in health sciences but also prepares students for the independence and responsibility of college learning. Many of the students already have ambitious career goals—some hope to become doctors, an anesthesiologist, a forensic psychologist, and a physical education teacher.
With access to Northeast College’s advanced laboratory resources, students will complete a full academic year of studies, earning four college credits by June 2025. The program is set to expand, with future high school anatomy courses being offered at the college’s Seneca Falls and Long Island campuses.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].