What is Synthetic Anatomy?
Synthetic anatomy is a module that is co-organised by the Department of Anatomy in the School of Bioscience Education and the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences in the Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine.
Synthetic Anatomy is a module in two parts: the first involving learning about data sets and 3D printing, and the second about applying these skills to a project that will involve printing a series of speculative anatomies. These can range from imagined adaptations of the future human brain or skeleton to idealized joints for baseball pitchers to the developmental series of an extinct vertebrate. The goal is to explore and take risks. The philosophy of the course is failed print, frustrating team conversation, disagreement about the aims of a project are all equally valuable as “success” if a lesson are taken on board and applied….
OUR TEN YEAR TIMELINE
2017
Synthetic Anatomy established.
From its inception, Synthetic Anatomy has aimed to bridge arts and sciences, and also prepare students for future careers in anatomical design, biomedical engineering, arts and patient-specific medical technologies. This dual emphasis on creative thinking and technical skill-building positions it as a forward-looking model in STEM education.
Feedback on the module has been collected from students and tutors over the years (2019 to 2023) through online forums, focus groups and individual interviews, and comments were analysed by two independent authors using manual thematic coding (Naeem, 2023).
2021
Eportfolio assessment platform changed from the Mahara platform to Padlet in 2021.
Unlike Mahara where sections are navigated via a drop-down menu, Padlet provides a “bird’s eye” view of the portfolio’s overall structure and its components [KCL Blog].
Future
Looking ahead, the module will continue to evolve in response to student feedback and pedagogical reflection. Upcoming changes include the formal integration of assessment literacy sessions focused on rubric interpretation and review of exemplar work, helping students better understand how to align their creative outputs with learning objectives. Efforts to expand 3D printing access will also continue, with further investments in infrastructure and technical support to accommodate growing student demand.
2017
Synthetic Anatomy established.
From its inception, Synthetic Anatomy has aimed to bridge arts and sciences, and also prepare students for future careers in anatomical design, biomedical engineering, arts and patient-specific medical technologies. This dual emphasis on creative thinking and technical skill-building positions it as a forward-looking model in STEM education.
2021
Eportfolio assessment platform changed from the Mahara platform to Padlet in 2021.
Unlike Mahara where sections are navigated via a drop-down menu, Padlet provides a “bird’s eye” view of the portfolio’s overall structure and its components [KCL Blog].
Feedback on the module has been collected from students and tutors over the years (2019 to 2023) through online forums, focus groups and individual interviews, and comments were analysed by two independent authors using manual thematic coding (Naeem, 2023).
Future
Looking ahead, the module will continue to evolve in response to student feedback and pedagogical reflection. Upcoming changes include the formal integration of assessment literacy sessions focused on rubric interpretation and review of exemplar work, helping students better understand how to align their creative outputs with learning objectives. Efforts to expand 3D printing access will also continue, with further investments in infrastructure and technical support to accommodate growing student demand.
Projects
Fuerat aestu carentem habentia spectent tonitrua mutastis locavit liberioris. Sinistra possedit litora ut nabataeaque. Setucant coepyterunt perveniunt animal! Concordi aurea nabataeaque seductaque constaque cepit sublime flexi nullus.
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