Name
A Multidisciplinary Open Educational Resource on Female Reproductive Organs and Women's Health: An Innovative Model for Integrating Science, Humanities, and Technology
Date & Time
Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 10:19 AM - 10:34 AM
Authors

Samar Hegazy, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Carle Illinois College of Medicine
Judith Thorn, Knox College
Wessam Ibrahim, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Carle Illinois College of Medicine
Margaret Burnette, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Carle Illinois College of Medicine
Janet Sinn-Hanlon, University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine
Jose Beltran, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Carle Illinois College of Medicine
Imanni Sheppard, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Sol Roberts-Lieb, University of Maryland School of Graduate StudiesĀ 
Nama Naseem, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Carle Illinois College of Medicine
Michael Joseph, Knox College
Ann Frederiksen, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Applied Health Sciences
Valerie Jennings, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Carle Illinois College of Medicine
Sara Benson, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Scholarly Communication and Publishing University Library

Presentation Topic(s)
Curriculum
Description

Purpose
Current educational resources in basic, clinical, and medical humanities sciences are fragmented, focusing on each discipline in isolation. This creates a need for integrated learning materials to bridge STEM and medical curricular gaps. 3D-printed models offer an engaging, hands-on learning experience that traditional textbooks alone cannot provide. To address these needs, we developed an Open Educational Resource (OER) that integrates anatomy, pathology, embryology, and medical humanities, supported by 3D-printed anatomical, embryological, and pathological models. The aim is to provide a comprehensive, adaptable, and cost-effective resource that enhances understanding of female reproductive health while accommodating diverse learning preferences and educational contexts.

Methods
Faculty experts from Carle Illinois College of Medicine (CIMED) and Knox College developed an electronic textbook with modular content covering the biomedical disciplines. The resource suits diverse learning styles, featuring text, diagrams, interactive assessments, subtitled videos, and 3D-printed models. These models were developed using polygonal meshes to simulate real organs and printed in different colors/materials using Bambu-Lab-X1C 3D-Printers. The OER was piloted in integrated teaching activities within CIMED's Women's Health and Knox College's Biology Courses. Educators and students provided feedback to ensure the adaptability of the resource for medical and STEM curricula.

Results
Initial use of the models in teaching demonstrated increased student engagement, enhanced understanding of complex concepts, and improved hands-on learning experiences. Educators reported the resource's versatility in medical courses, residency training, and undergraduate STEM programs. Its modular design allows for customized content delivery, reducing reliance on costly textbooks and improving accessibility for learners. Additionally, the project provides opportunities for scholarly contributions from faculty and students.

Conclusion
This OER exemplifies an innovative, multidisciplinary approach to educational resource development that transforms teaching and learning about female reproductive health across diverse educational settings. It provides a scalable and versatile model for curricular integration that can be translatable to other organ systems.