Activity 2: Becoming surgeons - The dissection of a sheep heart

Note to teachers: Some students may not want to participate in this activity, instead use an online program to show
the anatomy of the heart. Refer to resources. This activity targets kinaesthetic and visual learners.
Objectives:
All students (including those who dont participate in dissection) must be able to identify the following:

Anterior (front), posterior (back), right and left side of the heart
Differentiate the different chambers and identify the left atrium, left ventricle, right atrium and the right
ventricle.
The bicuspid and tricuspid valve
Aorta, coronary arteries, Superior Vena Cava, Inferior Vena Cava
Pulmonary Arteries, Pulmonary veins

Teacher instruction:
Before commencing the experiment, ensure all students are wearing lab coats, gloves, safety glasses and protective
shoes. Students are provided with a guide as outlined below that they are to use. This experiment is performed in
groups of 3, fostering effective communication skills and team work within young science students. A demonstration of
the heart dissection should be provided to the class and functions of different structures should be explained at the
same time, before students are to begin. Analysis questions should be completed after the heart dissection to identify
the level of student understanding.
Dissection equipment:
-

Sheep Heart
Dissecting tray
Dissecting probe
Scalpel
Scissors

Resources:
Sheep Heart Dissection
http://elizabethmoretz.weebly.com/uploads/4/4/5/6/44567783/sheepheartdissection.pdf
This sheet includes an introductory re-cap of the heart anatomy as well as an analysis and discussion questions at the
end, which can be used for all students including those who did not complete a dissection.
Activities for students who do not perform the dissection:
1. http://depts.washington.edu/simplant/heartsmarts.htm
https://www.wisc-online.com/learn/natural-science/life-science/ap12504/the-anatomy-of-the-heart These are
online interactive heart anatomy programs including an interactive quiz. This resource can be used to teach
the heart anatomy for those students who are hesitant towards dissecting.
2. For this activity, students design a model of the heart using red play dough, yellow play dough to highlight the
coronary arteries and red/blue pipe cleaners to represent the arteries and veins. This YouTube video can be
used to assist students: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl2w60IBoSM
3. Cardiovascular system games web:

This activity allows students to identify structures, functions and how the circulatory
system works overall, through matching organs and setting out the circulatory vessels
in the appropriate location in the body.
http://www.texasheart.org/ProjectHeart/Kids/Play/Puzzles.cfm
Note: These activities can be provided to students who perform the dissection as well,
for them to finish at home.