Description
Students explore the structure and function of the circulatory system’s chief organ, the mammalian heart, using this in-depth classroom dissection kit. During the pre-lab students activate their prior knowledge of the heart, as they watch a short phenomenon video and answer related questions. Then students dissect a preserved sheep heart during the hands-on dissection lab. As they explore the external and internal structures, students learn about their associated functions and trace the path of blood flow. A glossary and post-lab assessment questions help reinforce and assess learning.
This classroom kit is designed for a class of 30. It includes 30 Carolina’s Perfect Solution® sheep hearts, 30 self-locking storage bags, and a comprehensive teacher’s manual with reproducible student guide. The teacher’s manual contains procedural and preparation instructions, safety information, and more. The student guide provides step-by-step dissection instructions, labeled color photographs and illustrations, a prelab, assessment questions, and a glossary.
Time Requirement
Teacher prep, 20 minutes. Prelab, 30 minutes. Dissection, 60 minutes (or can be divided into multiple class periods). Assessment, 45–60 minutes. Prelab and Assessment can be completed as homework. Note: Carolina’s Wetting Solution (items #220120A and #220121A) is recommended if completing dissection over multiple days.
Digital Resources
Includes 1-year access to digital resources that support 3-dimensional instruction for NGSS. Digital resources may include a teacher’s manual and student guide, pre-lab activities and setup videos, phenomenon videos, simulations, and post-lab analysis and assessments.
Performance Expectation(s)
HS-LS1-2
Crosscutting Concepts
Structure and Function
Disciplinary Core Ideas
LS1.A: Structure and Function
Science and Engineering Practices
Developing and Using Models
Learning Objectives
- Use descriptive figures and text to properly dissect a sheep heart.
- Identify the major structures of the sheep heart.
- Describe the functions of structures of the sheep heart.
Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills
Students should have experience using dissecting instruments. They should also be familiar with the mammalian circulatory system.