March 29, 2024

Greta Nerad / Photo Essay / Beginning Journalism

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James Locke, Mira Costa Biology teacher, prepares his class for a cow eye dissection by teaching them the parts of the eye. The students began the human body unit on Tuesday, April 18. (34)tumblr_opgh2cmznj1worq6fo2_250

Students get everything set for the cow eye dissection by opening the lab document with instructions on their personal devices. Students opened the document and read through the directions prior to enter the lab so that they were well prepared. (40)tumblr_opgh2cmznj1worq6fo3_250

Students in the lab put on gloves in order to protect themselves from the chemicals used to preserve the cow eyes. The cow eyes used for dissection were preserved in a formaldehyde solution to prevent deterioration. (36)tumblr_opgh2cmznj1worq6fo4_540

Locke opens the package of cow eyes and prepares to pass them out to students for dissection.  Students gathered in groups of two to three around the front of the lab and were given cow eyes their group’s tray. (40)tumblr_opgh2cmznj1worq6fo5_250

David Bugdanowitz, freshman, makes the first incision through the cornea or the cow eye using a scalpel. He wore safety goggle to prevent fluids from the cow eye from squirting on him. (32)tumblr_opgh2cmznj1worq6fo6_250

Luc Manley, freshman, cuts away excess fat and muscle from the cow eye which is in the way of the other parts. Students used scissors and scalpels to remove this extra tissue from the cow eyes. (36)tumblr_opgh2cmznj1worq6fo7_250

Locke helps students identify the parts of the cow eye. The students cut the eye in half, removed the many parts of the eye, and separated the parts onto different sides of the tray. (34)tumblr_opgh2cmznj1worq6fo8_250

Molly Ciprari, freshman, disposes of the waste from the dissection into the trash can. Students emptied their trays, washed them and the tools used, and prepared the lab for the next class period. (33)tumblr_opgh2cmznj1worq6fo9_250

David Chernack, freshman, chooses to opt out of the dissection. Students were allowed to not participate in the dissection thanks to California Education Code 32255 which respects students’ right to choose humane alternatives to animal use in public school. (39)

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Locke debriefs his class on the dissection and encourages students to reflect on the activity. Students had to complete and exit question related to the lab before the class ended. (30)

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