If you’re looking for a way to make biology fun and memorable for your student, look no further than dissection! This complete field guide to dissection will explain everything needed to make dissection labs an enjoyable learning experience for your kids.
This dissection guide will cover:
The guide will also share helpful links to all our free specimen dissection guides, so whichever specimen you begin with, we’ll guide you through it.
Ready? Let’s get started!
Science dissections are an important part of biology for all students. Many home and classroom educators agree there is no substitute for the hands-on experience and learning offered with specimen dissection.
The first step in creating a successful dissection experience is to create a plan. Here are a few areas to consider:
Elementary Students: Up to three students can share one specimen and tools for elementary-level studies. The minimum tool requirements for this level are a #22 scalpel, dissecting scissors, and dissecting pins.
Middle School & High School Students: Upper-class students learn best in groups of two, sharing one specimen and a set of tools. Students working in pairs have ample opportunity to participate in the dissection fully and to examine the specimen carefully. They are also able to share and discuss their observations. A full tool set is recommended at this level. Some students may also want to use latex gloves when handling the specimens.
To get started with a dissection project, there are two approaches you can take. You can purchase lab tools and individual specimens separately or select all-in-one dissection kits that provide the specimen and all necessary tools. We’ll share our recommended list for both approaches.
The basic dissection tools are a dissection tray or dissection pan, pins, a scalpel, and scissors. You can also use a teasing needle or probe to examine delicate parts. We recommend wearing latex or nitrile gloves when handling specimens to minimize exposure to residual chemicals. We also recommend each student wear safety goggles or safety glasses during dissections. Upper-class students may prefer our adult-sized safety goggles or adult-sized safety glasses.
This 6-piece basic dissecting tool set is best for beginning-level dissections. It contains scissors, forceps, scalpel, teasing needles and pipet all in a black vinyl case with snap. This kit meets the basic needs of elementary, junior, or senior high students at a very affordable price.
This 17-piece high-quality dissection tool set includes stainless steel tissue forceps, scissors, a scalpel handle, ten #22 scalpel blades, curved and straight teasing needles, a medicine dropper, a clear plastic ruler, and six T-pins, all in a hard plastic case.
Study the body systems of an earthworm with this 9-12″ dissection specimen! Quantity pricing for 10+ is based on bulk-packed specimens & you may receive a combo of 10-packs & individually packed specimens to fill your order.
Enliven your study of biology with this plain preserved crayfish specimen!
These preserved starfish dissection specimens are typically genus Asterias. Quantity pricing for 10+ is based on bulk-packed specimens; you may receive a combo of 10-packs & individually packed specimens to fill your order.
A sheep heart is similar in size to a human’s, making it a great way to study heart anatomy! When you order these sheep hearts in bulk, you may receive a combo of 10-packs & individually packed specimens to fill your order.
This medium plain preserved grass frog specimen has a body length of 3.5″ to 4″, large enough to see all the internal organs and external structures.
Fetal pigs are commonly used to study mammal anatomy. This medium-sized preserved pig dissection specimen has blood vessels that are double injected with red and blue latex to make veins and arteries easy to identify.
We provide exceptionally high-quality specimens and guarantee your dissection specimens will arrive fully preserved, free from decay, and will not excessively dry out for one year after purchase. Please understand that all specimens, though preserved, eventually dry out. Specimens used within one year will have the best outcomes. To learn more, visit our Dissection Specimens FAQs page.
Buying pre-packaged kits with all the necessary tools and instructions is a popular choice for parents and teachers alike, particularly for larger groups of students in a co-op or classroom where specimens and tools will be shared.
Get everything you need for dissecting an earthworm! This earthworm dissection kit comes with a preserved earthworm, a full-color dissection guide, dissecting scissors, plastic forceps, 6 T-pins & a styrofoam dissection tray.
Get everything you need for dissecting a starfish! This starfish dissection kit comes with a preserved starfish specimen, plus all of the dissection tools you need for an engaging and interactive dissection experience.
This complete crayfish dissection kit comes with a preserved crayfish specimen, a full-color photographic dissection guide, scissors, plastic forceps & a dissecting tray. A perfect introductory-level dissection activity!
This Cow Eye Dissection Kit gives an inside view of how the eye works. It comes with everything you need for this activity, including a preserved cow eye specimen, a step-by-step dissection guide & essential dissection tools.
Study the anatomy of the brain with this complete sheep brain dissection kit! Includes a preserved sheep brain specimen, a photographic sheep brain dissection guide, a #22 scalpel, a magnifying glass, and a dissection tray.
Make dissecting a frog easy! This complete frog dissection kit comes with a preserved frog specimen, a step-by-step dissecting guide, and all the dissection tools needed. A great hands-on way to study internal anatomy.
Our fetal pig dissection kit has all you need for a hands-on internal anatomy lab. Get a preserved 7-10″ fetal pig, a dissection guide, a scalpel, dissecting scissors & more. Highly rated by students, teachers & parents!
Study the anatomy of seven different preserved animal specimens as you work through the hands-on animal dissections in this kit. It’s a unique & memorable way to see how internal organs fit together!
This advanced dissection kit includes 9 preserved animal specimens, our 17-piece dissection tool set with high-quality stainless steel instruments, a reusable dissecting pan & a book by William Berman called How to Dissect.
Choose these kits to get 10+ specimens and necessary tools for large groups of students.
This complete dissection set comes with ten preserved hearts, ten illustrated dissection guides, ten #22 scalpels, ten teasing needles, dissection pins and ten dissecting trays.
This classroom frog dissection set contains 10 double-injected, extra-large preserved frogs, 10 illustrated dissection guides & 10 sets of dissection tools. It’s perfect for small classrooms or for student groups to share!
This dissection kit comes with 10 double-injected, 7-10″ fetal pigs, 10 illustrated dissection guides, and 10 sets of tools/instruments, including trays.
While dissection is a tradition in biology labs and can offer tangible benefits to science learning at the middle and high school levels, not every child is comfortable (or willing) to complete these labs.
That’s ok. Be sensitive to your child’s needs in this area.
You will be dealing with real animal specimens. If you try to force activity for the sake of learning, then the learning isn’t beneficial.
Some curricula provide alternatives to animal dissection kits by replacing dissection with other activities.