June 21, 2021
After competing in their event for the first time at the state conference, three Oklahoma HOSA teams are headed to the International Leadership Conference to show what they know about anatomy.
During the virtual state contest, teams of four or five were challenged to locate parts of a person’s anatomy on a virtual dissection table. Teams from Metro Technology Centers’ radiologic technology program, Tulsa Technology Center’s biomedical sciences high school extension program at Union High School and Canadian Valley Technology Center’s practical nursing program at Chickasha will compete at the virtual HOSA ILC this week.
The table, from Anatomage, allows users to see a 3D replica of a human body -- bones, muscles and organs. The structures of a body are reconstructed in 3D, the company says on its website, so users can see what they would see on a cadaver. Only three or four schools in Oklahoma have an Anatomage Table because of its expense, said Debbie Bennett, HOSA state adviser at the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education.
Stacia Bowden, Tulsa Tech biomedical sciences instructor, said the contest was the first chance her students had to use the Anatomage Table.
“As the students competed, they were learning the software and the human body, so it was great,” she said.
Using the Anatomage Table virtually rather than in person added another dimension to the competition, but the Oklahoma teams rose to the challenge. One person on each team controlled the table from a computer using the computer’s mouse, while other members helped direct the driver to find the locations, Bennett said.
Each team was given a set amount of time to find various locations on the body. Correct answers garnered 10 points, and incorrect answers subtracted one point. Teams could skip questions and return if time was left in their sessions.
Twelve secondary teams and two postsecondary teams competed in the state contest, Bennett said. Metro Tech won the postsecondary division, and Tulsa Tech’s biomedical sciences high school extension program at Union High School won the secondary division. Although it wasn’t a qualifying contest for the 2021 virtual International Leadership Conference competition, teams could decide to compete there.
CVTC practical nursing instructor Pamela Roberts said her students told her that when they started preparing for the contest, they did not think they knew very much and wouldn’t make it past the first round.
“I couldn’t be any prouder of these students for getting out of their comfort zones and trying something new,” she said. “They really stepped up to the plate and did an excellent job in this competition -- and learned a lot in the process!”
At Metro Tech, the team’s work was displayed on a smartboard so other students could follow along, said Alison Beckner, radiologic technology instructor.
“Some of our first-year students had the opportunity to watch them compete in the semifinals and are looking forward to competing next year,” she said. “I would love to see this continue to be a HOSA competitive event.”
Oklahoma HOSA is one of seven co-curricular student organizations associated with the Oklahoma CareerTech System. These organizations provide opportunities for personal growth and scholastic achievement, as well as developing skills in public speaking, planning and organizing. The other organizations are BPA, DECA, FCCLA, FFA, SkillsUSA and TSA.
About Oklahoma CareerTech
The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education provides leadership and resources and assures standards of excellence for a comprehensive statewide system of career and technology education. The system offers programs and services in 29 technology center districts operating on 59 campuses, 399 PK-12 school districts, 13 Skills Centers campuses that include three juvenile facilities and 32 adult basic education service providers.
The agency is governed by the State Board of Career and Technology Education and works closely with the State Department of Education and the State Regents for Higher Education to provide a seamless educational system for all Oklahomans.
