I recently asked my Professional Learning Network on Facebook whether live dissections were still a necessary part of science education. The responses were interesting! Some teachers said dissections were the highlight of the year, while others said that dissections just aren't necessary before high school.
This can be a touchy issue, so I've collected a variety of viewpoints so you can make an informed decision for your classroom. I hope this will help you make a great call and be able to defend it to admin, other teachers, and parents.
Pros of Dissections:
🐸 Preparation for careers in science - Careers in the medical or veterinary fields require a deep understanding of anatomy. A real dissection might help a student see themselves pursuing a career in one of these fields.
🐸 Authentic, hands-on experience - Many teachers are saying that their students are "over" simulations and are more excited to explore science first hand. Screen fatigue is real! Handling dissecting tools is a unique skill set that is hard to replicate online.
🐸 Memorable reinforcement of body systems - Learning about the organs of the body can feel abstract, especially when you're trying to visualize how they all fit together. There's something to be said for seeing internal anatomy in real life!
Cons of Dissections:
🐸 Ethical concerns - This is the most frequent point against dissections. If a student (or teacher) believes that using animal specimens is inhumane, forcing the experience into the classroom will only create negative feelings about science.
🐸 Safety concerns - Sharp dissection scalpels and scissors can cause serious harm if not handled properly. If your students are the least bit immature, you can end up with a disaster in split-second. A proposed bill California also cites concerns that the chemicals used to preserve animal specimens might be carcinogenic to teachers and students.
🐸 Cost-to-benefit trade-off - While looking at the internal anatomy of an animal is memorable, some teachers just don't see a lasting change to student understanding. Dissection materials are costly, so value of the effort and expense in middle school is questionable.
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