By Brandi Miller for the FCT

Students playing with clay is something one would expect to see in an elementary classroom. Dr. Kay Hargett, however, believes using clay for hands-on learning is just what her high school students need.

Hargett’s health science classes are known around the Red Bay High School campus for their hands-on activities. She said she believes in not only explaining the content but making sure the students can actually perform the task.

Currently, the Health Science students are learning about various systems of the human body. To help the students learn the different systems of the human body, Hargett’s class is using clay modeling. Students use the clay to model various aspects of the circulatory system, as well as various organs of the body. Hargett said the students are able to remember the concept more soundly through hands-on learning.

“The mind cannot forget what the hands have learned,” said Hargett.

Besides the circulatory system, students also modeled the kidneys. While the students were working on the models and learning the various parts of the kidneys, Hargett lectured on the diseases impacting the kidneys such as hypertension. While the students were studying kidneys and hypertension, they also learned how to take blood pressure and interpret the blood pressure reading.

Students also learned about the placement of veins and arteries while they were completing their circulatory study. Hargett demonstrated how to start intravenous infusions and IO sticks. The students were not only introduced to various aspects of the human body in regards to anatomy, but also diseases and disorders that impact the human body as well as healthcare procedures that are utilized to address these anomalies.

Students said not only did they learn a great deal about the anatomy and systems of the human body, but they had fun while doing it. This in turn will make the information stick with them long after the class is over.