Museum of Human Disease Excursion

Recently Year 12 HSC and IB Biology students took their learning beyond the classroom via a visit to the Museum of Human Disease at UNSW. While there, they learnt about and saw the effects of a range of infectious and non-infectious diseases, as well as different technologies available to assist those experiencing disorders. While at times a little confronting, the experience was invaluable for situating their understanding of disease in a real-world context.

Here’s what the students had to say about the experience:

The excursion absolutely shook my world! It was everything I expected and more, all the case studies and the presenter explaining helped a lot with my understanding on the topic!!! Truly a valuable experience which I cannot recommend more!

This experience was so valuable since it provided me with further knowledge about the causes and effects of infectious diseases and non-infectious diseases.

I loved being able to walk around the museum and look at the effect of the different diseases on the body. It was very informative and helped us with case studies, such as tuberculosis. 

This excursion was so unique as we were able to see the effect of disease on human body systems in person. This was so insightful and it has provided clarity on the class work while being so fun and interesting too!

The Museum of Human Disease was an eye-opening experience. Seeing real specimens up close made me appreciate the impact of different diseases and how important it is to take care of our health. It was a fascinating and valuable learning experience.

The museum was very helpful and was an amazing experience. It was very interesting and fun to do, walking around and looking at real human specimens to learn more about the disease. Would love to go again! 

Although learning about the many diseases was confronting at times, it really made me appreciate the beauty that comes with the complexity of the human body. I left the museum eager to learn more and ready to change my own habits that can put my body at risk of disease. 

I found the excursion brought a whole new light on disease and sickness to me, seeing the donations of different diseased organs, with each telling a story of the donor made me feel grief as well as respect for the donors and their families. Their donations to science have not only benefited the learning of future students of medicine and health, but will also, with the increased understanding of these diseases, pave the way to help with studying these illnesses.

Natasha Kempers
Head of Science