Objective

By the end of this lesson, you will have a better understanding of brain, lung, and heart anatomy through hands-on dissection activities.

Materials and Prep

• Sheep brain, lung, and heart (can be obtained from a local butcher or online)
• Scalpel or sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Gloves and goggles for safety
• Plastic bags for waste disposal
• Reference diagrams of brain, lung, and heart anatomy
• Parental supervision is required for handling sharp objects

Activities

• Brain Dissection: Examine the external and internal structures of the sheep brain. Identify the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem.
• Lung Dissection: Explore the trachea, bronchi, and alveoli of the sheep lung. Observe how oxygen is taken in and carbon dioxide is expelled.
• Heart Dissection: Investigate the chambers and valves of the sheep heart. Understand how blood is pumped through the heart to the lungs and the rest of the body.

Talking Points

• Brain: "The brain is like the control center of our body. It helps us think, feel, move, and remember things."
• Lung: "Lungs are like sponges that help us breathe. They take in oxygen from the air and remove carbon dioxide from our body."
• Heart: "The heart is a powerful muscle that pumps blood throughout our body. It works tirelessly to keep us alive!"
• Anatomy: "Anatomy is the study of the structure of living things. By dissecting these organs, we can learn more about how our bodies work."
• Curiosity: "It's okay to be curious and ask questions about how things work. That's how scientists make new discoveries!"