Middle school students beat the heat with “Cool Science Dissections”

Middle school students throughout San Juan Unified School District beat the heat for two weeks in June with a “Cool Science Dissections” summer class at Arden Middle School. Each student scientist strapped on their protective goggles and gloves, gathered their scalpels and brought their specimens to the operating tray for a closer look.

“This class provides a hands-on experience to students,” said Sylvan Middle School science teacher Linda Peña. “It provides real-world applications and exposes students to the medical and veterinary fields.”

A variety of organisms were explored in this class, including frogs, rats, snakes, squids and dogfish sharks. Through the dissections of these animals, students learned about body systems and the similarities between humans and other animals..

Most of the aspiring scientists in this class have dreams of becoming a doctor, nurse or veterinarian in the future. This summer class opportunity provides a unique chance for students to learn about subjects of interest to them, and discover if they would like to pursue this course of study or career.

Destiny Rogers, an eighth-grade student at Arden, wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.

“I think that this class is going to help me learn a little bit about animal anatomy,” said Rogers. “Maybe I’ll have patients that have those animals, and I’ll know about the body systems of those animals and how I can help them.”

Summer programs are still ongoing, and there are a variety of free classes to choose from. Visit sanjuan.edu/summer for more information about elementary, middle and high school summer programs.