Science teacher Eric Thomas’ Human Anatomy and Physiology classes began cat dissections on Tuesday, March 23. As a part of their final, along with a short essay about the dissection, students are tested over the parts and identification of a cat. Every day that the students do more with the dissection process, they are tested over different things adding up to their final grade of the year.

Senior Cody Moore clarifies why she prefers this over a traditional final.

“We cover so much material throughout the year that it would be impossible for Mr. Thomas to create a single exam testing our knowledge,” Moore said. “Taking these small essays and doing lab practicals on the cat is the best way to apply our knowledge, in my opinion.”

Senior Abby Ostronic agrees with Moore.

“If we took a 100-question multiple choice tests we wouldn’t even cover half of the stuff that we have learned,” Ostronic said. “Doing essay finals as we dissect the cat is much better because we get to showcase our knowledge and it’s sort of an all or nothing test. You either know it or you don’t.”

While the cat is the class’ only dissection, it accounts for a good portion of their fourth quarter grades. Moore believes that her education has been improved from taking part in the dissection process.

“We learned a lot about the body parts that we handle when dissecting the cat, and the cat’s anatomy is very similar to ours,” Moore said. “It really makes you appreciate how complex and amazing the human body is.”

Although agreeing with Moore, Ostronic has another reason for preferring a dissection over a final.

“Personally I really enjoy the dissections because it gives me a visual representation of what we have been learning this year,” Ostronic said. “Plus it gives me a lot of practice for medical school next year. The dissections improve my knowledge more than taking notes and listening to lectures ever could.”