With the purchase of the optional dissection kit ($125), campers received the kit at their home during the week leading up to Virtual VetCAMP. They are then asked to review the safety manual and complete a safety quiz prior to the start of camp. Once Virtual VetCAMP begins, most of the dissections are scheduled directly after the afternoon session but can be completed at any time during the 5 days of programming. Students are asked to perform the dissections with assistance from the manual and supplemental videos. Once campers have completed the dissection they are asked to identify certain structures and submit their answers in the discussion forum for that particular dissection. Allowing campers not only the hands-on experience of dissecting animal organs but allowing them to share their experience with fellow campers.
Optional Dissection Kit
FAQs
Identify a “lab bench” where all laboratory activities will be performed. We recommend that your lab bench be located close to a kitchen or bathroom. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and
water before and after any laboratory activity. Scalpels are used in dissection activities and
require special handling and disposal. Remember to never cut toward your hand and fingers
holding the specimen and cut in a downward motion using steady, even pressure. Use these materials in a well-ventilated area, such as a room with open windows, a garage, or a bathroom or kitchen with an external vent fan. Wash your lab bench with soap and water after the activity. Wash all non-disposable laboratory plastic ware and pipets with soap and water after the activity. Put all laboratory equipment, materials, and chemicals back into the proper Carolina Distance Learning Kit box for storage.
This kit is comprised of vacuum-packed specimens:
- a cow eye
- sheep brain
- pig kidney
- sheep heart
- a fetal pig.
Each dissection kit contains:
- a resealable bag
- an absorbent pad
- disposable gloves
- a dissection mat
- a disposable foam dissection tray.
The fetal pig dissection has an additional 6 rubber bands and cotton twine. A scalpel, wooden probe, scissors, T-pins, and forceps are also included to assist in the dissection.
You will also need to have paper towels, 70% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) or other non-bleach disinfectant, pipe cleaners or straws of varying colors (optional, for heart dissection), hand lens (optional, for close examination of tissues), and a digital camera or mobile device capable of taking digital photos.
These are packaged in vacuum-sealed, triple-layered, plastic barrier bags with either one or many specimens per bag. One-per-bag packaging is ideal for convenience (so that individual students or teams can easily rebag and keep track of their specimen over a few days of dissection). After opening, vacuum-packed specimens can be stored by returning them to the original shipping bag, folding the top down and securing with binder clips, and then placing the bag in a separate resealable bag.
No. Specimens can be kept at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, and in their original packaging. If the original packaging has been opened or discarded, repackage the specimens in a sealable bag or pail. We recommend storing them out of reach of children and animals, as these materials are not safe for consumption.
Many specimens can be stored for years under the right conditions. Because they are immersed in preservative fluid, they remain in good condition longer.
Each laboratory activity will have specific instructions for safe disposal of every chemical and/or specimen.
