Community project funding/congressionally directed spending - construction - this funding will support the development of arcadia university's anatomy resource center (aarc)

Through aarc, we will provide hundreds of students - at graduate, undergraduate and high school levels - with access to cutting-edge anatomy education that allows for hands-on experiences in a safe setting. The aarc initiative will serve students (300+) in our nationally ranked programs in physical therapy (PT) and physician assistant (PA) studies; many of whom go on to practice in the commonwealth. Moreover, the skills of our students are demonstrated during their educational experience by working in our campus' interdisciplinary pro-bono physical therapy clinic. The clinic serves nearly 150 pennsylvanians per year. Importantly, this aarc initiative will also deepen and expand connections with our undergraduate programming and with regional high schools to provide stem learning opportunities at scale. We will offer select undergraduate (50-60 annually) and high school students (30-60 annually) rare access to study human specimens. Arcadia undergraduates who will have access to the aarc will include biology and other science students, as well as scientific illustration majors and select students in art. This type of opportunity is uncommon at the undergraduate level, and arcadia looks forward to bolstering students' preparation for stem and steam careers. We will specifically seek to expand partnerships with high schools in the area. For example, cheltenham school district (CSD) continues to be a vital partner for the university, and the aarc will allow US to welcome cheltenham high school students for field trips for applied experiences. CSD is an extremely diverse district, with 55% of the students being african american and 27% of students qualifying for free or reduced price of lunch. This access would be a unique experience for CSD students and will serve children in traditionally underserved groups. Arcadia is also involved with 13 high schools in philadelphia and montgomery county through dual enrollment programs. High school students earning arcadia credit through those programs who are interested in anatomy and careers in stem would also benefit from the opportunity to access the aarc. Finally, we have an emerging collaboration with the montgomery county intermediate unit that serves all public and private k-12 schools in the county and will allow for sharing of access to aarc events and opportunities. Aarc will be housed at 125 royal avenue, formerly the bishop mcdevitt high school. The program will occupy 8,400 square feet on the third and fourth floors and include laboratories, classrooms, collaboration and reflection spaces, and faculty planning and preparation areas. Investing in aarc will contribute to a stronger and healthier future as arcadia leverages the funding to prepare exceptionally well-trained medical professionals to serve throughout the commonwealth. In addition, aarc is based on the belief that university-led outreach programs in the anatomical sciences will encourage high school students' interest in stem disciplines and health care careers that will meaningfully contribute to the wellness of others in their communities.