Australia's Science Forum

A new Ag teacher has asked me to see if I can organise a dissection of reproductive systems, both male and female. It's part of the Yr10 curriculum - does anyone else do it, and where do you source the 'product'?
The book mentioned bovine organs, but I don't think our local abbattoir will supply it.
Am about to ring them and the sheep abbattoir - just thought I'd check with you guys to get your thoughts.

Thanks!

Hi Liz,
We sometimes dissect rats with Bio classes. I order them from Southern Biological (preserved-last for years). I get a range of male and female, and always ask for some pregnant.
Regards, Ellice.

Rats? Toads?
can they not be used

Rats from Southern Biology can, they have been checked first. Not too sure about Toads??

That was my first suggestion too! But I said I'd ask around to see what others do.

Thanks...

Ask for nominations from the teachers. I'm sure every school has some students that would make the world a better place if they just donated their reproductive systems now.

Our new young Ag teacher rang the abattoir at Coonabarabran where we get out "eyes" from and is getting reproductive parts on Friday or Monday. I had asked them and they said no. So I suggested she ask and plead a bit. She sucked up big time, cause she really wanted the bits. So I suggest you get in touch with your abattoir and grovel. Seems it can be done, they just don't want to, no money in it for them I suppose. These are sheep bits I think.

Oh Smiley - You certainly gave me one!
I wonder - are teachers actually 'human'..mmmm...
A friend of mine reckons there ARE some who just shouldnt be allowed to continue the gene pool.....

Oh Kristin, I love your sense of humour - first real LOL at work this week!!!

Darelle, you're right. I rang my 'phone a friend' (the line manager at the local sheep abbatoir), and he's happy to get a complete female system for me, but they don't kill any rams.

I'll run Kristin's idea by the teacher & HT - I'm sure they'd have a few likely subjects in mind

HT came in earlier today to comment "Strange how they all go so quiet when you show them a video of a birth"

Our local butcher always gets these sort of things in for us we just have to give him about a weeks notice if it something unusual.
Good luck with your supply.
KIMMY

Thanks Kim,

I'll let you know how it goes after Tuesday.

Hi Kimmy

Is your local butcher Peter Robinson, if so he is my brother-in-law.

Vicki

I had no trouble getting 3 female reproductive systems from the sheep abbatoir this morning.
They were done as dems, with the students joining in.

I was expecting them to be bigger, but obviously from lambs!

The teachers were very pleased though - so I guess it'll become a regular dissection now too, along with the complete digestive system (sheep) we do earlier in the year.

(Most of) the Ag students seemed to appreciate it!

hi Vicki
Yes our local butcher is Peter Robinson, Oh it is small small world now isnt it. I am so lucky all I ever need do is give him a call with a weeks notice and he tries to get what ever i need in.

kimmy