On the other hand, the National Advanced Placement Biology Exam expects
students to have in-depth knowledge
regarding the internal anatomy of both
invertebrate and vertebrate specimens.
So how can the homeschooling family
meet the moral, emotional, and academic
expectations that dissection embodies?
The most important thing to realize is
that commercially prepared dissection
samples are not necessary. Many of the
organisms have counterparts available
at the local seafood market. Knowledge
of where the organisms fall within the
scope of Creation allows substitution
from common food resources. For example, an earthworm is an invertebrate
that lacks an exoskeleton; a crayfish is an
invertebrate that has an exoskeleton; and
a perch is a bony fish. These species are
selected because they show a progression
in design. The same learning benefit can
be obtained from observing the internal
structure of an oyster, a crab, and a trout,
respectively. If planned around a meal,
the dissection lab becomes a tasty and
fun family event, not an unpleasant and
smelly chore.
Frog dissection can be performed virtually. There are a number of programs
available online:
Froguts.com is extremely useful.
Froguts has available a virtual squid, star-
fish, frog, cow’s eye, owl pellet, fetal pig,
and genetics lab. Froguts uses audio nar-
ration, captioned text, immersive envi-
ronments, and interactivity to deliver key
concepts. Each topic is presented in an
approach that integrates inquiry and Na-
tional Science and Technology Standards
and, where appropriate, Next Generation
Science Standards. Students are assessed
with randomized quizzes or tests and are
given a printable certificate when they
complete each module. Find out more.
Digital Frog 2. 5 engages students with
an interactive virtual dissection, allowing the student to learn each of the cuts
necessary by “cutting” with a digital
scalpel before watching the full screen
video. Animations and interactions
allow students to see how the frog’s body
works—from blood pumping through
the heart, to joints that can be built up
and moved by the user. The Digital Frog
2. 5 is so much more effective than a wet
lab because the interactive dissection is
seamlessly linked to a comprehensive
anatomy and physiology section, with
human anatomy comparisons. A fascinating ecology section reminds students
that biology is the study of living organ-isms. Find out more.
There are also excellent YouTube vid-
eos available showing detailed dissection
footage on the following topics:
• Earthworm
• Crayfish Part 1 Part 2
• Perch
• Frog
All five website presentations show
both the external and internal anatomy
of the dissected animal.
Use of tools, such as those listed above,
provide a valuable opportunity to teach
students about humane education. Additionally, non-animal alternatives are
far more economical in the long run
because they can be used over and over
again, with no need to constantly replenish animal supplies. Finally, alternative
dissection lab use allows learning while
still honoring our Creator’s handiwork. It
is this last consideration that should be
foremost in our minds before beginning
any lab activity.
Steve Rosenoff
Steve Rosenoff is a former research chemist and medical technologist with twenty-three years of laboratory expertise. For
over fifteen years, Steve has been teaching
Apologia Science courses full time. Eight
years ago, Steve started his own ministry, Red Wagon Tutorials. When people
ask Steve where the name comes from,
he smiles and tells them the story of how
he and his wife delivered hot meals to the
homeless in downtown Olympia, Washington, in a little red station wagon. Now
he delivers science education from Red
Wagon Tutorials.
Home.
Where They Belong.
®
The National Advanced
Placement Biology
Exam expects students
to have in-depth
knowledge regarding
the internal anatomy of
both invertebrate and
vertebrate specimens.
