In the first week of December, Poly Prep’s Grade 9 biology students dove into one of the most hands-on experiences of the year: dissecting fetal pigs to explore the digestive system.

In lab groups led by Upper School science faculty Eman Elhenawy, students carefully identified each organ, measured the full length of the digestive tract, and calculated the relative proportions of the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and other organs. Throughout the lab, students applied what they’ve been learning in class about how diet, anatomy, and physiology are interrelated, reflecting on the ways evolution shapes organisms to survive in different environments.

Fetal pigs are used for dissection because their internal anatomy closely resembles that of humans, giving students a realistic window into how our own bodies function. This carefully planned lab, designed in collaboration with the Upper School biology team, ensures that the activity is purposeful, age-appropriate, and closely tied to the learning goals of the course.

“Dissection day is always one of the most exciting days in biology class,” Elhenawy shared. “The energy in the room is electric as students are eager, curious, amazed (and occasionally grossed out) as they explore anatomy up close. It’s delightful to see their excitement turn into real understanding as they make discoveries and connect what they’ve learned in class to the real world.”

Connecting Theory to Practice in the Anatomy Dissection Lab

This immersive lab allows students to connect abstract concepts to tangible observations, collaborate with peers, and practice careful data collection and analysis, reinforcing both scientific knowledge and critical thinking skills. For many students, hands-on experiences like this are the highlight of the year. The lab work in this unit provide students a unique opportunity to observe anatomy and learn how organs and systems are structured and interconnected. It provides insights that extend beyond what can be learned from a textbook or diagram. Throughout their time in the dissection lab, students develop a deeper understanding of how structures within living organisms work—one organ, one system, and one careful observation at a time.

“For this lab, each group measured the length of the entire digestive tract, calculated proportions of each organ, and applied what they have learned about differences that may be observed in the digestive system based on an organism’s diet. After exploring the digestive organs and recording data, groups were able to explore other organs like the heart and the brain,” said Elhenawy. “Some groups explored the chambers of the heart, while others were able to take a look at the two hemispheres in the brain and the corpus callosum, which holds both sides together.”

“The students were dissecting the fetal pig to identify organs of the digestive system and make connections between the structure of an organ and its function,” said Elhenawy. “This group did an amazing job with gently unraveling the small intestine without it ripping–which can be very difficult!”

Students less comfortable with the dissection activity were given the option to complete a virtual dissection instead, where students can still fully engage in the same learning objectives without being penalized for choosing an alternative approach. By providing both hands-on and virtual options, the lab creates a supportive environment where all students can engage with the material, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of anatomy and physiology.

Student Voices: Seeing Classroom Anatomy Lesson Come to Life

Sarah Etienne ’29 described the experience as both fascinating and hands-on, highlighting the importance of care and precision during the activity. “My dissection experience went well and I enjoyed it. I feel that it was interesting to see and touch the digestive tract we discuss in class in real life. My most memorable moment was unraveling the small intestine because you had to be extremely gentle and to make sure it did not break.” 

“It was very interesting to see all the body parts and organs of the pig,“ said Alex Arniotis ’29, who highlighted the excitement of a first-time dissection, collaborative discovery. “I had fun finding certain organs and working with my peers to do so.” 

Mikko Cabrera ’29 emphasized how the experience, though initially intimidating, provided an unforgettable opportunity to connect classroom learning to real-world biology. “Although it was a little traumatizing at first, having a dead fetal pig in front of my eyes that I had to cut into, the dissection did become a true learning experience that I will never forget. It was really interesting to physically see all of the pieces and organs we’ve been studying in real life.”

“Dissection day is always one of the most exciting days in Biology class. The energy in the room is electric as students are eager, curious, amazed (and occasionally grossed out) as they explore anatomy up close. It’s delightful to see their excitement turn into real understanding as they make discoveries and connect what they’ve learned in class to the real world.”