Scalpels in hand, goggles on, whispers fill the room. Some students lean in with curiosity, while others brace themselves with weak stomachs. It is that time of year when West Chicago Community High School’s anatomy students dissect sheep eyes in order to help them better understand the structure and function of an eye.
As part of the year-long curriculum in human anatomy, students prepared to further their understanding of how different components of the eyes work together last month. Before the dissection, students reviewed diagrams of the eye, learning how light travels through the cornea, pupil, and lens before reaching the retina. The hands-on activity allowed them to connect what they had studied in class to a real specimen.
Seniors and juniors gave their full attention to science teacher Tyler Huber, who stood at the front of the lab group to explain how to safely use a scalpel.
“The last thing we want is for you to slice your hand,” Huber said.
The blades are extremely sharp to make it easier to cut through skin and fat. As he demonstrated each step, students watched closely, some adjusting their goggles nervously while others leaned in, eager to begin.
Along the walls of the classroom, skeleton models and other anatomy decorations created an appropriate backdrop. In one corner, two skeletons seemed to be “gossiping,” their arms linked together as if trying to get closer.
To protect their hands from the chemicals used to preserve the sheep eyes, students were required to wear gloves. The scent of the preservatives filled the room — sharp yet earthy, like something organic and faintly sweet. Several students compared the odor to carving a pumpkin, perhaps because both involve cutting into something soft and natural with a distinct, lingering smell.
As senior Isabella Arreola cut through the eye, a jelly-like material seeped from the incision she had made, exposing the clear, round lens of the eye.
“It feels like you’re cutting meat, like chicken,” senior Julia Koput said.
Around her, other groups carefully separated the retina from the inner wall of the eye, examining its thin, delicate texture under the bright classroom lights.
When a group got confused about the next step, they asked instructor Huber for help. Although the lab was graded, students were free to ask questions throughout the process. Huber moved from table to table, explaining how each structure connected to human vision.
As trays were cleaned and goggles set aside, the earlier nervous energy gave way to quiet satisfaction. For some, it was the first time they had ever dissected a real organ. For others, it was another step toward understanding the complexity of the human body—and perhaps a glimpse into a future in the medical field.
