by David Henderson

Warning: some content in this story may be difficult for sensitive readers.

HOPE, AR - Fourth graders at William Jefferson Clinton Primary in Hope, Arkansas, dissected cow eyes as part of a recent biology lesson. Students in Lynda Cole’s classroom worked in small groups, taking turns examining, cutting, and identifying the various parts of the eyes. When asked if the project was gross or interesting, the classroom erupted with a loud “BOTH!” The students used scissors to do their cutting, but when it came to slicing, Cole visited each table to use a scalpel. "I've got to do this part," she said as she made an incision at a cow's eye's retina.

Cole explained that students rarely get the opportunity to perform hands-on dissection due to the high cost of supplies and specimens. Through a Donors Choose request, she was able to secure cow eye dissection kits for two classes. She says, “Without the help of folks donating to programs like Donors Choose, students miss out on hands-on learning.” She hopes that some of the recent Magnet School Grant the district recently received will be used for other hands-on projects.