For Lexington High School students, a single school year can barely feel like enough time to explore everything within a subject, particularly in the sciences. Biology, for instance, covers a wide range of topics, from microorganisms to ecology to biochemistry, leaving little opportunity to focus in depth on any one area.
That is where LHS’s science electives come in, allowing students to delve deeper into specific topics. One notable class is Anatomy and Physiology, a new one-semester course taught at the CP1 level that meets twice per cycle.
“We asked students what they were interested in, and Anatomy and Physiology came up as one of the top ones. It’s different in that we get to extend beyond what we do in Biology for Anatomy and Physiology, and we’re allowed to do more things because we’re not bound to any standards,” Lisa Olaharski, an Anatomy and Physiology teacher, said.
As with most science classes, laboratory work and hands-on activities are a major component of Anatomy and Physiology and are a major attraction for students.
“We are going to be dissecting rats and mice, doing experiments with touch receptors using ice and hot water baths. There’s tons and tons of labs and hands-on stuff. We are also trying to get guest speakers to come in,” Olaharski said.
Anatomy and Physiology is new to the 2025-2026 school year, so finding the right balance between curriculum and accommodating student interests has been a challenge.
“This class is actually taught at the CP1 level, so I think some students get a little frustrated because they want to know more about things and be more detailed. We only have two classes out of the six [that AP science courses have], so it’s always a compromise between what we can do and what we can’t do,” Olaharski told The Musket.
Despite this, many students appreciate the course’s approachable pace and interactive environment.
“I think it’s a very collaborative class, and it never feels like we are by ourselves learning about something. It feels like we’re doing it as a class,” Anusha Malhotra, a junior taking Anatomy and Physiology, said.
The focus on the human body systems is also a major appeal of the Anatomy and Physiology course.
“We learn about so many different things about our body that I feel like I’m more aware of all the different processes and systems, and how they’re working together to keep us functioning every day. And it’s so cool to see how many things happen every day to keep us functioning,” Malhotra said.
The combination of hands-on labs, a human-centered curriculum, and an accommodating pace has made Anatomy and Physiology an engaging course for students interested in exploring the science behind the human body.
“Personally, I’ve had really good experiences with the class, and if anyone is interested in any science, this would be a way to expand their knowledge,” Malhotra said.
