| Dissection is just one of the approaches to teaching | | | | already been humanely euthanized. This is the perfect |
| science that creates a lasting impression in the mind. | | | | time for young people to understand that there is |
| What do you remember most about biology? Is it the | | | | much to learn about the creatures around us and that |
| dry textbook? Likely you recall the hands-on activities | | | | they depend upon us for proper care and protection. |
| that you did. Despite the squeamish reactions of some | | | | Engage older students in a conversation about ethics in |
| students, frog dissection has many benefits. Amid the | | | | science. |
| scissors, specimens, and unforgettable aroma of the | | | | Although it may seem unimportant at this stage in life, |
| lab you will discover specific lessons that extend | | | | good dissection skills can help a student in higher level |
| beyond basic biology. The most obvious value | | | | science classes. Learning the proper procedure for |
| revolves around the tactile experience, but students | | | | frog dissection teaches following directions, |
| also learn respect for life and proper dissection skills | | | | observation skills, fine motor skills, the interrelationship |
| that will be helpful in higher level lab classes. | | | | between organs and tissue, and develops the ability to |
| Digital photography has evolved to the point that frog | | | | "feel" the body without seeing what is lying underneath. |
| dissection can be captured beautifully in science | | | | Many of these skills will be used in college level biology |
| textbooks and on virtual dissection websites. But | | | | classes and some will be used in high school and |
| pictures of frog dissection cannot replace a real life | | | | college level chemistry and physics as well. If your |
| experience. A hands-on lab allows a student to | | | | student plans a career in any area of medicine, frog |
| understand the true positioning and feel for organs that | | | | dissection or fetal pig dissection should be a |
| just can't be expressed in the flat format of a book or | | | | requirement in high school. |
| computer monitor. | | | | Dissection bestows numerous benefits upon science |
| In the hands of a good mentor, any specimen lab, | | | | students, but is not the end-all to biology lab exercises. |
| whether it is a fetal pig dissection, or even an | | | | If a student protests despite being informed of the |
| earthworm dissection, can teach respect for life. | | | | reasons behind the activity, his values should be |
| Unnecessary damage to a preserved specimen | | | | respected and a viable alternative sought. |
| should never be allowed even though the animal has | | | | |