Learning about the human body is a lot of knowledge to swallow.
At this year's Medical Science Academy, area high school students learned from LECOM medical students and professors about the digestive system. On June 15, student groups attended "labs" where they would get clues to help solve a medical case and learn terms, diseases and functions of digestion.
LECOM had 48 students enrolled this year.
"Students want to see the relationship of what they're learning in school to what they may study," said Dr. Kersten Schroeder.
Schroeder, Dr. Paul Danahy and Dr. Kim Fabre organize the camp each year.
Michael Koski teaches students about x-rays.
Hannah Reynolds of Lakewood Ranch High School tries to diagnose the fecal specimen in the "toilet."
Sammi Zeitt of Lakewood Ranch High School tries to identify the vitamin deficiency of the pirate Barbie.
McKensie Murray of Booker High School brought her spine pen to the academy with her. She wants to study either pediatrics or cardiology.
"I like blood. It's the driving force keeping us alive," she said.
Sidney Oake and Caitlin Sollazzo, both of Lakewood Ranch High School, try to guess the right answer in Gastrointestinal Jeopardy.
Arianna Murdocca of Venice High School, Alondra Hernandez of Manatee High School and Mayada Elshiek of Booker High School try to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy.
Kara Delaney of Pine View High School brings up poignant questions during the body odor lab. Most of the students' questions were about flatulence.
Jennifer Contreras of Braden River High School watches Erica Estep, a LECOM student, show the digestion train. Her lab showed how nutrients travel through the digestive system.
Heather Hall of the Manatee School of the Arts watches intently as Thomas Andre Waters tries to eat five Saltines in 60 seconds at the saliva lab.
