Anatomy and Physiology at Fenton Community Primary School. 

Anatomy and Physiology at Fenton Community Primary School. 

Three different classes from Fenton Community Primary took part in an exciting Human Body workshop with the Dragon Darwin Experience to complement their current science topic. Pupils had an overview of the body from organs to bones and muscles, followed by an introduction to our 5 vital organs that are essential for survival, the brain, heart, kidneys, liver, and lungs.  Current research linked to heart transplants, and mapping the human brain were also discussed. 

In a round robin of interactive activities pupils developed their subject knowledge further and became physiologists for the hour.  They studied X-rays using light boards, used stethoscopes to measure each other’s heart rates, built anatomy models of the brain, heart and torso, examined photographs of cells of the circulatory system, skeletal system and digestive system with bio-viewers, and raced against the clock to successfully attach organs on an apron in the correct positions.  

The highlight of the workshop was turning the classroom into lab and completing a Lamb’s heart dissection. Once kitted out in PPE, the classes followed a step-by-step guide to examine the external features of the heart before opening the heart to reveal the internal structures.  They completed tasks along the way and answered questions on what they had observed.  Pupils compared the right chambers of the heart to those on the left, they identified major blood vessels the Aorta and the Vena Cava as well as successfully locating the mitral and tricuspid valves. 

Amy, Project Officer for the Dragon Darwin Experience said ‘This workshop gives pupils a great experience of hands-on Human Biology. The pupils had excellent subject knowledge and enthusiasm for the topic and were really excited to complete the heart dissection. It tied in perfectly to their current topic and really brought all their schoolwork on the heart and human body to life.