More Dissecting Fun....

We dissected grasshoppers 2 weeks ago....they were a little tricky but Truman and Torsten really took their time and were precise about it.
This week's specimen of choice was: the starfish (or asterias rubens to be scientific about it).
Have you ever wondered what the inside of a starfish looks like? Probably not, but here you go: (And just remember, you can click on the picture to get a better look)
All right, my apologies to any of you who may be eating breakfast while reading this. No more pictures like that, I promise. :-) Here are some photos that are a little easier on the eyes: look at these cute future scientists having fun with scalpels and probes....handsome specimens, aren't they?
And here's Hailey and Lili- the women scientists of our group. It's funny how the topic of conversation around their dissections always seems to revolve around the "meatiness" of that particular specimen. Or its tenderness, or juiciness, etc.....it's almost enough to make one hungry if it weren't for the pervading formaldehyde odor in the air! Next week's specimen is a perch, but maybe we should just plan a fish fry instead.......just kidding!

Dissecting Worms

We had our first day of dissecting! It was lots of fun, especially because the Whitney's were able to join us, which meant each of the kids had a lab partner. Cutting up stinky specimens is always more fun with a friend, don't you think?

The smell of formaldehyde always brings back old memories of high school Anatomy and Physiology class. Unfortunately my lab partner was pregnant and would have to run out to throw up every class period. Not so fun....for her in particular. Anyways, no one at our house was grossed out enough to even think about throwing up- in fact, I think everyone learned a lot and had an enjoyable time in the process.

I was amazed how neatly Taylor and Henry were able to open up their worm. Pretty impressive for 4th graders!
Taylor decided he could get a better angle kneeling on the table.

Hailey and Lili hard at work.

Taylor was very proud of how his worm turned out. He asked if he could hang it on the wall in his bedroom. Mmmmm.....I don't think so. Come back when you've skinned a bear or something and we'll talk....