During two reveal events March 8, one at West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC), and one at Paducah Tilghman High School (PTHS), faculty, staff, students and guests observed demonstrations of realistic, sophisticated, synthetic models that will transform learning experiences for students at both schools.
In 2022, WKCTC and PTHS entered the inaugural computer-generated contest with SynDaver Education, a Tampa, Florida, based company founded in 2004, and featured on the television show Shark Tank in 2015. The college and the high school were each randomly selected for a giveaway, two of eight education institutions from across the country to win a SynDaver model product this year.
“I was just completely blown away that WKCTC and Paducah Tilghman won a SynDaver product. I was there when each school was drawn by the computer, and everyone was just amazed,” said Deborah Sumner, SynDaver Education territory sales manager. Sumner, who works out of Bowling Green, is a native of Crittenden County. “To have two institutions win from near my hometown was a big bonus for me.”
WKCTC President Anton Reece greeted and welcomed more than 25 faculty, staff and guests to the reveal event at the college. “What a momentous occasion of revealing this state-of-the-art technology. Talking about life imitating art, just takes on a whole new meaning,” said Reece.
WKCTC won the G2 SynTissue Anatomy Model with a total value of $75,634.00. The model is an extraordinarily-realistic synthetic representation of the human anatomy that will be used primarily as an instruction tool in WKCTC’s Surgical Technology program.
Paducah Tilghman High School won a SynDaver CopyCat Feline Anatomy Model and 30 SynFrog Dissection Models for instruction in anatomy classes. The CopyCat is a hybrid, full-body replica of the feline anatomy with synthetic muscles, tendons and bones. The SynFrog Model is a highly realistic and expertly-detailed frog body with removable, anatomically-correct organs. The high school’s total value of the models is $9,277.50.
PTHS Anatomy teacher Nancy Broyles and students from Tilghman's Anatomy class attended the March 8 reveal event at PTHS to learn more about how the models the school won will provide their students with a one-of-a-kind learning opportunity.
“On behalf of our school and our students, I wanted to express our deepest gratitude to Syndaver for the generous donation of the dissection models for our students. This contribution will enable many students to participate in a unique and valuable learning experience that will enhance their understanding of biology and anatomy,” said Karlye Loy, PTHS Science Department chair. “This will provide our students with a well-rounded education and will help us to create a meaningful and educational experience.”