PHS Biology Student Disect Sharks

Normally when you think dissecting in biology you think of frogs and worms, but Mrs. Gowans’ biology class did the extraordinary, dogfish sharks.  Not only is it exciting to say that you’ve dissected a shark, but there is great learning aspect to it as well.  For starters, sharks are larger making it easier to see the individual organs.  Mrs. Gowans said her biology teacher in high school used sharks in their biology class, which is what led her to the idea of using sharks as an alternative. 

Mrs. Gowans’ goal for her biology class was to learn how sharks adapted, as compared to humans, to their environment in order to survive.  “The more you know about other animals and how they survive in their environment, the more easily you recognize the adaptations we as humans make to survive in our environment,” said Mrs. Gowans. 

Mrs. Gowans’ students had an exciting experience, and were able to do something most high school students have not endeavored.  “I found a sea horse in his stomach,” said T.J. Anderson, one of Mrs. Gowans students.  Mrs. Gowans students were grateful for the opportunity to dissect sharks.