The JMU Anatomy Expo is a no-cost opportunity for high school students to spend a Saturday with JMU anatomy students, professors, and their fellow anatomy-enthused peers building community and learning together. As a participant, you will:

• Explore models, specimens, and other anatomical tools to better understand form & function and how we apply that understanding to address critical questions surrounding topics such as human health, animal behavior, and natural history.
• Learn about anatomy-related careers from JMU students who are currently navigating those paths.
• Engage in conversations with anatomy professors to learn about their research.
• With advanced registration, compete in the optional Anato-bee competition hosted at JMU (see below for details).

In addition to complementary brunch, students will receive an official "JMU Anatomy" T-shirt.

This event is hosted by the JMU Center for STEM Education & Outreach in partnership with the JMU Department of Biology faculty.

Date: Saturday January 24, 2026

Location: JMU’s East Campus

Time: 9:00 AM-12:45 PM

Registration Deadline: January 9th, 2026 or until full. 

Registration Form: https://forms.office.com/r/W6GB1TEHLq

In addition to the registration form, please complete all attached forms below in compliance with JMU's Office of Youth Safety.

Please email all completed forms to Lily Whitman, STEM Center Admin, at whitmalr@jmu.edu no later than January 22nd, 2026.

• Minor Emergency Contact/Pick-Up Authorization Form
• Media/Transportation/Liability Form
• Medical Release and Health History Form
• Participation Expectation Form
• Self-Administration Authorization of Medication Form (If Needed)

Additional open house details including the agenda, locations, parking, accessibility, and permission form access will be sent via email to registered students and their parents/guardians at least two weeks prior to the event. For questions, please contact: Dr. Kerry Cresawn, STEM Center director, cresawko@jmu.edu

Expo 9:00-12:45

 9:00-9:30 – Check-in, Bioscience Building, 2nd floor atrium 

 9:30-10:00 – Welcome and Interactive Demonstrations, Bioscience 2007 

10:30-11:00 – Keynote Speaker, Bioscience 2007 

11:00-11:30 – Catered Brunch, Bioscience 2007 

11:30-12:15 – Informal Q&A with JMU Anatomy students & faculty, Bioscience 2009 

12:15-12:45 – Departure for students who are not participating in the Anato-Bee 

Optional Anato-Bee Competition, 1:00-1:30PM 

• For students under the age of 18, parents must sign the 4 forms linked above per JMU’s Office of Youth Safety policy: emergency contact info, media release, medical form, and participation expectation form (this one also requires the student’s signature). 

• Scanned or photographed forms with hand-signatures and e-signed forms are both acceptable. 

• If possible, please sign and submit the forms electronically by Fri. Jan 23rd to Lily Whitman (whitmalr@jmu.edu). If you are not able to submit them electronically, please let Lily know via email, she will have paper copies for you to sign at check-in. 

• Students should arrive at the front entrance to the Bioscience bldg. (901 Carrier Dr.) during the check-in window (9-9:30). There, students will be greeted by one of our JMU student volunteers and directed to the check-in table. More details will be shared in the email.

• Students under the age of 18 who are not driving themselves must be signed-out by a parent, guardian, or other authorized adult (designated on the permission form).

• This year’s event is for students only; parents, guardians, and other guests are not permitted to attend the expo or competition, but are welcome to wait on campus.  We will provide suggestions of spaces to relax and explore for guests who prefer to stay on campus or in the area.

• The Anato-bee competition is an optional event we are running in tandem with the Expo.Top-placing students will move on to the regional Anato-Bee competition.  The competition will run from 1-3PM in a campus computer lab. Only competitors registered with the national Anato-Bee organization will be permitted in the computer lab during this part of the event. 

The Anato-Bee competition is a national outreach initiative led by a team of anatomy educators from the American Association of Anatomy, in which high school students learn about anatomical sciences through a nationwide competition. Registered participants will have free access to a series of virtual tutoring sessions led by current medical students, a human anatomy dissector app, and other study materials. Students first compete through a virtual platform hosted by a local college or university on January 24 at no cost; top placing students are invited to compete in their respective regional weekend competitions. More details regarding the 2026 regional competition format will be provided in the near future by the Anato-Bee national organization.

Students who want to compete in the Anato-bee must register with the national organization by January 12th. Click here to register with the national organization; please write in JMU as your local chapter to compete on January 24.

JMU-assigned participants will have the option to compete remotely or at JMU. On January 24^th (tentatively 12-2:00pm ET), on-campus participants will compete on a computer in one of our computer labs alongside other local competitors. Members of the JMU Anato-bee team will be present to supervise and provide technical support. Remote participants will use their own device at home (or another suitable location). On-campus participants will also have the opportunity to register for the in-person JMU Anatomy Expo that will take place before the competition (see above for details).  

Anato-Bee Registration 

Registration Deadline: January 12th at midnight ET

Registration Form: Register for the anato-bee competition. Note, this form is different from the anatomy expo registration form. Students interested in both the expo and anato-bee must register for each event separately.