Chantelle McPherson, a teacher at Baldwin County High School in Bay Minette, recently attended a breakfast celebration and check presentation at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The event was organized to honor recipients of the 2023-2024 Future Shipbuilder STEM Grant awards.

McPherson was among the distinguished awardees, securing a $5,000 grant for her innovative project titled "Project Anatomy in Clay." The grant is earmarked to support the implementation of this educational initiative, which focuses on enhancing students' understanding of human anatomy.

The funds will be utilized to acquire the Anatomy in Clay learning system, a hands-on teaching strategy that incorporates life-like skeletal models and modeling clay. This system is designed to facilitate the exploration of anatomical structures and relationships within the human body.

"Project Anatomy in Clay" takes a multi-sensory approach to learning human anatomy, targeting students in grades 10-12 enrolled in Human Anatomy/Physiology courses at Baldwin County High School..

According to the Anatomy in Clay website, "The mind cannot forget what the hands have learned." This quote underscores the significance of hands-on learning experiences in fostering lasting understanding.

The grant award not only recognizes McPherson's commitment to innovative teaching methods but also highlights the importance of advancing STEM education within the community. McPherson expresses enthusiasm about the potential impact of Project Anatomy in Clay on her students' educational journey.

This initiative aligns with the broader efforts to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, providing students with valuable hands-on opportunities to explore and grasp complex concepts in human anatomy and physiology.