A: This is a student dissecting a calf heart. The students are investigating the structure and function of a calf heart, how the wall of the ventricle is different from the wall of the atria, and identifying the role of valves in pulmonary and systemic circulation. This particular picture shows the left ventricle which pumps oxygen rich blood to the rest of the body through the aorta.

Q: What is the 40-year knowledge you want students to get from this lesson?

A: There are a variety of interrelated organ systems that maintain homeostasis within an organism, such as the systems that contribute to the human immune response (or in this case, the circulatory system).

Our Essential Question is: In considering living organisms, is the sum of the parts greater than the whole?

Q: What attitude do you want them to take away from this experience?

A: This is usually one the labs they will remember when they are seniors (and beyond).  The attitude I want them to take away is that science is accessible, interesting, and relevant.

Q: What do you enjoy most about teaching?

A: I enjoy when a good plan comes together, when all of the components fall into place and the students walk out of the door with a better understanding of themselves and the world around them.  And when they say thank you.

Here is a wonderful testimony to the importance of teachers in our society from a recent NY Times column.  Thank you, teachers. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/05/opinion/blow-teaching-me-about-teaching.html?_r=1&ref=charlesmblow