Step into Charles Library and you might not realize that just upstairs, Barnett College of Public Health students are examining the human body in ways a textbook could never recreate.

In the library’s VR/Visualization Studio, SBS1106: Human Sexuality comes to life through immersive virtual reality. The class, taught by Ryan W. McKee, introduces students to tools that move beyond flat diagrams and into interactive, three-dimensional models.

“Things you can see here are things you couldn’t see in a traditional anatomy class,” McKee said.

Using the Organon Anatomy VR program, students can examine anatomical structures from multiple angles, scale and rotate models, and interact with systems in ways that mirror real-world clinical perspectives. McKee believes the technology opens new doors for students.

“This software is really amazing if you want a career in reproductive health,” he said.

McKee began incorporating the technology after learning about resources available through the library, including the VR studio and the Makerspace. Through a Makerspace grant, his students can also create their own 3D-printed anatomical models at no cost, turning a traditional lecture topic into a hands-on project.

“Teaching anatomy, I always had to show the same slides over and over again,” McKee said. “But this gives students the opportunity to visualize things in a way they haven’t been able to before.”

As the technology continues to evolve, McKee sees even more possibilities ahead.

“One day, we can do a whole anatomy VR class,” he said.