MFHS Health Sciences uses bond money to revamp lab

By Emily Hilley-Sierzchula
Night time cleaning staff members are wary when entering the health sciences lab at Marble Falls High School. It’s understandable because the mannequins used to teach health science topics have an undeniable creep factor, endlessly staring with wide but vacant eyes. There are stories about wheelchairs rolling across the floor on their own (a notion a student quickly dismissed with, “gravity.”)
No matter the rumors surrounding the room, students agreed it would be an excellent place to decorate for Halloween. Otherwise, it's a good place to learn about anatomy and science the rest of the year.
The health sciences lab has been revamped, thanks to the $6.5 million bond voters approved in May, 2014.
So far, more than $44,000 has been spent on the health sciences facet of the career and technical education (CTE) program. Just a few of the items purchased with bond money are new hospital beds, two baby mannequins, crib, bassinet, exam table, instrument sterilizer and a pharmacy hood for mixing intravenous fluids. A few more mannequins are on the way.
The lifts, used to move people, have been “a big hit” with students, said health sciences teacher Maven Tidwell.
Tidwell teaches along with Norma Brown, who teaches the introductory and pharmacy technician classes.
Lab items were carefully chosen, touching “on just about anything they could do,” Tidwell said. Students can earn three possible certifications to start careers soon after high school: certified nursing assistant (CNA), emergency medical technician (EMT) and pharmacy technician.
Although earning certifications means an increased workload, one student said it’s “manageable.”