Skeleton Model Available for Student Use

Sometimes what students need in order to optimize learning isn’t something that can be found in a book. Sometimes they might need something a little different, like a life-size replica of a human skeleton. Luckily, one now resides in the course reserves area of Western Libraries. 

Jewel Curtis, a former Graduate Teaching Assistant who has since graduated with an MA in Anthropology, had the idea of asking the Western Libraries to purchase a skeletal replica that students could access via course reserves.  

After Curtis’ suggestion, Anthropology Professor Marianne Brasil connected with librarian Emily Spracklin to ask about the feasibility of the idea, noting the need for students to have access to such a model during hours beyond what was available in the Anthropology Department’s Osteology Lab. 

Brasil explained how there are usually six open lab hours each week, but those times don't always work for everyone – especially students who work, commute, or have caretaking responsibilities. The hope was that by offering an additional option via the library, students would have more opportunities to access the skeleton model during the hours when the library buildings are open.  

“I'm always looking for ways to expand student access to these kinds of hands-on resources,” explained Brasil, adding that broadening access to hands-on resources is something that is very important to her as an educator. She explained how hands-on learning has been linked to improved learning outcomes, particularly in the anatomical sciences.  

The Human Osteology & Forensic Anthropology class Brasil teaches relies heavily on skeletal replicas for learning, but Brasil also mentioned there might be students in other classes or disciplines who could also benefit from having access to the skeleton.  

“Hands-on access is essential for our students, especially students who will go on to pursue careers in the health sciences, cultural resource management, and forensic fields, among others,” Brasil added. “I hope that this resource will help students across a range of classes and backgrounds beyond Anthropology - including Anatomy & Physiology and Kinesiology, for example.” 

After Brasil and Spracklin connected, they helped prepare a proposal for purchasing the skeleton, and the library was subsequently able to acquire the replica. It arrived partially assembled and Brasil worked together with Spracklin and three Anthropology MA students to finish assembling it. The model itself is a fully articulated skeletal replica, with soft tissue attachment sites indicated and some flexible ligaments included. 

Spracklin said she hopes faculty at Western will always feel welcome to connect with their library subject teams  about acquiring resources to support their teaching and learning. She said she was very pleased with the results of this recent collaboration and explained how she also benefited from this experience.  

“It was a joy working with Marianne and her grad students to put the skeleton together,” Spracklin explained. “I learned first-hand how skeletons can be used as an information source, communicating important information about who a person was and the life they may have lived,” said Spracklin. 

The skeleton model can now be found in a corner of the course reserves area in Haggard 2, adjacent to the circulation services desk and clearly visible to the right after entering the reserves area.  

WWU students can use the skeleton model in the reserves area and are also able to use it at one of the study tables. Students may also check out and borrow the skeleton for a 3-hour period for use in one of the library's study rooms. In the short time it has been in the library, it has already been getting a fair amount of use, and the hope is that this will increase as more students become aware of this resource.  

 “My students in Human Osteology were excited to hear about this new library resource, and I hope that students across campus will benefit from it for years to come,” said Brasil.  

[Photo caption information:The assembly team with the new Western Libraries skeleton model. From left to right: Marianne Brasil (Assistant Prof. of Anthropology), Emily Spracklin (Western Libraries Librarian and Coordinator), and three current Anthropology MA students: Kyra Freeman, Maggie Humphrey, and Addy Thornberg]