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To Dissect or Not
Dissect in the High
School Classroom
Jenny Stevens
Anatomy & Physiology
Giannou Pd. 5

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Imagine a light bulb flicking on, illuminating an entire room that was previously hidden
in darkness. The room is now a completely different atmosphere, and can be comprehended
significantly more. Type of clarification is what occurs in the mind when performing a
dissection. When students put into play what they have learned about, it implements a whole new
understanding and wonder. Allowing students to dissect in the classroom is beneficial for a
multitude of careers, broadening perspective, and encouraging learning and taking risks.
As colleges and careers progressively become more competitive, hands on experience is
extremely valuable. Experience shows a students devotion to the topic and capability to get
his/her hands dirty. Susan Offner supports the need for learning that occurs in a dissection
because it is qualitatively better than learning simply from a lecture (Offner, 147). This high
school biology teacher shares the importance in learning that dissecting provides. In the same
way that travelling to a destination is far more beneficial and eye opening that solely reading
about it, dissecting provides a deeper learning experience than the basic style of lecture-andnotes. By participating in this type of in depth learning, students are prepared for the rigor of
college and a career in a science or biology field. If students are not interested in those careers,
dissecting still teaches how to work with a group to carefully dissect a problem and understand
different components in an organism, which relates to understanding the world.
Like the illumination a light bulb provides when it turns on, dissecting something opens
up a whole new world of understanding. Literally, students cut open an organism and inspect
what is inside. Figuratively, students learn that the inside is far different than the outside, which
broadens perspectives and helps students understand their peers. This feeds a global perspective
that students will develop. A group of college students conducted a study about the beneficial
ways of learning anatomy. After learning a certain topic in anatomy, the students practiced what

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they had read about. The tremendous explosion of consciousness and understanding that
occurred convinced the researchers that dissection was by far the most beneficial learning
method (Eizenberg, 1). Another student researcher concluded that the sophisticateddesign of
the class is the best way to teach gross anatomy, implying the positive impact that dissecting
has on students learning (Wiklemann, 1). It is proved that dissecting in the classroom teaches
students in a unique way that broadens their perspective within, and outside of, classroom walls.
Lastly, dissecting in the classroom encourages deeper learning. Because it is a unique and
beneficial learning style, students are inspired to take more risks in the classroom to enhance
their knowledge. A study on active learning pertaining to Physiology concluded that dissecting in
the classroom [enhanced] creative thinking, judgment, and problem solving (DiCarlo, 2). As
teachers are constantly creating new ways to intrigue students, hands on experiments are a great
way to allow students to (physically) take matters into their own hands.
Dissecting in the classroom teaches students skills necessary for college and future
careers. The process of opening up a once living organism broadens students perspectives and
encourages students to be adventurous when it comes to learning. Yet what is often forgotten is
the cruel treatment of the animals which are dissected. NEAVS Humane Science shares an
article on the harsh treatment and dangers to the animals. NEAVS summarized the threats to
endangered populations: habitat loss, chemical pollution, global climate change, which are
affected by the process of getting animals for dissection. The harmful chemical that is pumped
into animals often leaks and damages the environment and surrounding species. While dissecting
teaches students to value their education, it also teaches them that animals lives are disposable.
This mentality will lead to further harm to animals.

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Dissecting in the classroom has many benefits, as well as negative effects. But the
benefits for students are necessary to a successful education. Allowing students to dissect
increases their experience which is valuable in college and careers, broadens their perspectives,
and intrigues students to delve deeper in education. Dissecting in the classroom also has some
push back from environmentalists and animal safety activists. But overall, dissecting in the high
school classroom is very beneficial.

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Works Cited
"ACTIVE LEARNING OF RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY IMPROVES PERFORMANCE
ON RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY EXAMINATIONS."Advances in Physiology
Education. HighWire, 01 June 2001. Web. 04 Nov. 2014.
"Animals in Education | Animals in Education." Animals in Education | Animals in Education.
N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2014.
Offner, Susan. "The Importance of Dissection in Biology Teaching." JSTOR. University of
California Press, Mar. 1993. Web. 05 Nov. 2014.
"Result Filters." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of
Medicine, 1 Jan. 2007. Web. 05 Nov. 2014.