Possible topics for research paper:

What an autopsy is
History of autopsies
Autopsies today
How they benefit students
Why autopsies are important for students

My project has come to an abrupt halt. Apparently, I won't be allowed to view an autopsy because I'm not 18. Since I can't do any more with my project, Shtino offered me the opportunity to write a research paper on autopsies instead. That will count as my final grade for this class, and I won't have to present anything at the end of the year; I was getting really nervous about that anyway. The bad part is that this essay will determine whether or not I graduate. I'm really bummed that the autopsy trip didnt' work out, but at least with the essay I'll only have one thing to focus on that I have to get done.

All that I've been doing all day is singing showtunes. The musical is tonight! I'm so ridiculously excited. Unfortunately, I'll be spending all my time this weekend on the show. I'll try to send out my letters; I'm printing them now.

I haven't done anything over spring break for this project, but I did talk to my grandma a bit about autopsies. She used to be a nurse, and got to observe some autopsies back in the day. She didn't tell me a lot of things I didn't already know, just skimmed over the general process.
I'm trying to look up other medical examiner's offices in New Jersey, but every site I go to doesn't give an email address. Maybe I'll just have to print out my letter and send it to them the old-fashioned way, or call them. If all else fails, I'll ask Repasy to hook something up with a medical university, like her friend does with her anatomy classes.

Brick Wall

I just checked my email. I got a response from the medical examiner in Burlington county. Apparently, their policy is that in order to see an autopsy, you have to be 18 and be a college student. So that's really frustrating. But I'll send my email out to other medical examiners in our area, and to some hospitals/schools in Philly. Repasy has a friend that takes her anatomy students to the Thomas Jefferson anatomy lab. They go on a tour and I think they listen to a lecture. If I can't find a medical examiner that will allow high school students to view an autopsy, maybe I'll have to head in a different direction.

Final Email

I'm meeting with Repasy tomorrow so she can look over this and make any changes.

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Antonia Santarsiero, and I'm an Anatomy and Physiology student at Northern Burlington High School. For the second semester of my senior year, I got the idea to try to start an annual trip for students to see a human autopsy. After searching local medical examiner's offices, I was excited to find that the office in Westampton is only one town over from my school district.
I feel that watching an autopsy in person would greatly benefit the students at my school, especially those who are planning on going into the medical field. It's so much more informative to see an autopsy being performed with one's own eyes, rather than hearing about it from one's teacher or looking at pictures in a textbook. I've already surveyed 46 seniors from my school, and 54% said they would definitely go on a trip to see an autopsy. A large majority of respondents said they think the trip would be extremely educational and informative. I would love to be able to create a new opportunity for students at my school that will benefit them in so many ways.
I would be so grateful if your office allowed my school to view an autopsy at your facility. Please contact me at your earliest convenience at aksantarsiero@gmail.com.

Sincerely,
Antonia Santarsiero

Survey Results

I got 47 responses to my survey that I sent out over Facebook. That was more than I expected, so that's good. The number of people that are interested in going really surprised me: 53.19% said yes, and 21.28% said maybe. What also surprised me was the gender of the people that want to go on the trip. I expected the majority of "yes" answers to be from boys, since I think of girls as being more grossed out by autopsies and death in general. But 80% of the people that answered "yes"  and 70% that said "maybe" were female. 58.33% that answered" no" were male.
When asked how they thought this trip would benefit students, 34 out of 36 respondents said it would help students that are interested in the medical field. The majority of people said that the trip seemed very interesting, fun, and informative. Even those who weren't interested in going said they thought the trip was a good idea for those who are interested in anatomy.
I'm really happy with the results that I got. If I am able to set up a trip, there will definitely be a lot of people that would want to go.