Enhancing anatomy education through anatomy model-making using recycled materials: innovative approach by preclinical UiTM dental students

Anatomy education is essential in medical and dental training but often relies on costly resources like cadavers and digital tools, which may not be accessible to all institutions. To overcome these limitations, this study introduces an innovative, sustainable approach by using recyclable materials to build anatomy models. This method also aligns with Gen-Z students’ preference for active, hands-on, and exploratory learning experiences. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of practical model-making using recycled materials in enhancing anatomical understanding, engagement and satisfaction among UiTM preclinical years dental students. 76 undergraduate dental students attended standard didactic anatomy lectures delivered by the lecturers, followed by a practical activity involving the creation of anatomical models using recycled materials. Guided by the knowledge acquired during lectures, students worked in groups to design a model based on the assigned anatomy topics. Students were surveyed to assess their understanding, engagement and satisfaction on the novel teaching initiative. The post-activity questionnaire showed that most students reported high engagement, improved understanding, and overall satisfaction with the model-building activity using recyclable materials. Students appreciated the hands-on, creative approach, collaborative teamwork, and active learning format, which enhanced their retention and enjoyment. Many also valued the sustainable aspect of the activity, noting increased environmental awareness in an academic setting. This model-making initiative using recycled materials demonstrates that with innovation and collaboration, quality anatomy education can be delivered effectively regardless of resource limitations. It reinforces the importance of active learning strategies in medical education while promoting sustainability, creativity, and student engagement.