VCOM View Magazine Vol. 13 | No. 1

Anato-Bee Competition: Empowering Future Scientists Through Anatomical Sciences competitions concluded with

Mary Piscura, PhD, a faculty member in Anatomy in Biomedical Affairs and Research, and Kristie Floyd, the administrative assistant for anatomy faculty and assistant anatomy lab director, were co-hosts of the Southern Regional Anato-Bee. They were also excited to see several Anato-Bee alumni return to VCOM Auburn for Auburn University’s Brain Camp in July. The dedication of students participating in these extracurricular STEM outreach programs is inspiring, as they choose to invest their time in learning the complexities of the human body and its systems, largely at a level that exceeds high school standards. The Anato-Bee co-founders are excited to continue their progress in creating collaborations and opportunities for learning in STEM nationwide.

T he Anato-Bee is a free high school competition for the anatomical sciences that aims to increase the accessibility of science education nationwide. In the inaugural year of the Anato-Bee, funded by the American Association for Anatomy, nearly 700 students registered and participated in free online tutoring sessions taught by second-year medical students at VCOM-Auburn and Drexel University. Participants also utilized free anatomical dissection software provided by Toltech and atlases composed by medical students at Drexel University and Thomas Jefferson University. As a result, 156 students from 26 different states qualified in their local competitions, held in collaboration with more than 60 universities across the United States. The 2024 Anato-Bee

regional events in April 2024, with the Southern Regional competition taking place at VCOM-Auburn. Here, students navigated a human donor practical, a multiple-choice question exam, standardized patient encounters and diagnoses with assistance from our SIM center, and an oral final exam. With the help of 41 VCOM-Auburn student volunteers, this first-of-its-kind in person event was a transformative experience for all. Anato-Bee provided stipends to four competitors who were considered underrepresented in STEM to offset costs associated with attending their regional competition. The eight regional winners and runners-up were awarded $3,000 and $1,500, respectively, to attend a summer STEM experience of their choosing.

More information can be found on their website: www.anatobee.org

fall 2024 | VCOM V iew M agazine 43