Students in Mrs. Peacock’s Medical Terms and Medical Theory classes at Ponder High School put a creative twist on their studies this October with the annual Pumpkin-ology Project.
In Medical Terms, students were tasked with choosing a disease or condition and showcasing it through a decorated pumpkin. The pumpkins were then voted on for creativity and accuracy. Freshman Lilly Tellez took home top honors for “Hyperemesis,” a condition that can affect some women during the first trimester of pregnancy. “Doing this project definitely sparked an interest in health sciences for me and something to explore in the future,” Lilly shared.
Other students, including Charlee Webb (freshman), Paisley McShan (sophomore), and Kinley Peacock (freshman), reflected on how much they enjoyed collaborating with their peers, learning from one another, and seeing the unique talents displayed in each pumpkin. The project not only showcased student creativity but also connected directly to CCMR (College, Career, and Military Readiness) by encouraging exploration of future health science careers.
As an extension, students in Mrs. Peacock’s Medical Theory class took the challenge one step further. Instead of labeling their pumpkins, they assigned each a “disease” and then created medical charts with symptoms, vitals, and patient histories. During “medical rounds,” students rotated through each case, practicing diagnostic skills as they worked to determine what condition each pumpkin patient might have.
This fun, hands-on project is a perfect example of how Ponder High School students are engaging in interactive learning experiences that connect classroom knowledge to real-world applications in health science.
