Digital Dissections

Second year biology students dissect a number of different animals and organs that are not dissected during first year biology. These include: rats, sharks, turtles, pigeons, lamprey, snakes, perch, hearts, eyeballs, and brains. They also dissect some specimens that are traditionally dissected in first year classes such as earthworms, crayfish, starfish, frogs, and pigs. Not all students dissect the same organisms.

Students work in groups of two and dissect 2-4 organs/organisms. The students chose which organisms interest them the most.

As the students dissect, they photograph the dissection process and identify structures.

After completing the dissection and photography, the students prepare a separate dissection PowerPoint for each specimen. The PowerPoint must illustrate the dissection process and label the structures identified.

Students present the PowerPoints to the class so all students may experience all the dissection organisms.

A library of dissection PowerPoints will be maintained and available to teachers of first year biology. First year teachers may use the PowerPoints to introduce a dissection their students will do or they can show students dissections of animals they themselves will not experience.