Anatomy and Physiology Macro is easily one of the best electives offered at John Jay High School. Taught by Mrs. Weldon, Anatomy and Physiology Macro is a hands-on class filled with labs, dissections, and case studies. This intriguing course guides you through the major systems of the human body.

A typical day in Anatomy and Physiology Macro begins with Mrs. Weldon teaching you a little about a specific body system. Some examples of this could be the digestive system, the cardiovascular system, and the respiratory system. I found the labs to be the most interesting part of the class. Labs test your knowledge of a subject through hands-on activities. In these activities, you get to perform the same tests a physician might use to determine how to treat a specific disease.  An example of a lab activity is determining your lung capacity through a spirometer. A spirometer is a machine you blow into and it gives you a number on a scale which indicates your lung capacity. These types of activities allow students to learn about the body rather than reading about it in a textbook. Labs do count for most of the grade in this class which I think is quite unique. I feel you gain a real understanding of the subject matter with the interactive approach Mrs. Weldon provides.  If you get confused do not despair, you always have enough time to ask Mrs. Weldon any questions you may have.

There are a few quizzes in this class but Mrs. Weldon definitely makes sure you can fully understand the material. A case study is another way students are tested. A case study describes a situation based off of a real patient. You research a specific topic and answer questions to diagnose the patient. This is a great way to introduce students to the medical field and what a doctor might do on a daily basis.

Students will also perform dissections. In this class, students will be asked to dissect a fetal pig.  This activity allows one to learn about the internal structures of animals. It is fair to say this is something most students never get to experience.  After each dissection, there is usually a lab practical.  During the lab practical, you will need to identify organs and their respective functions.

If you want to pursue a career in medicine or biology, you should strongly consider taking this class. I took this class because I want to go into medicine, and I have definitely learned skills that could be useful in that field.