Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google


Biology Class Dissections to Get Virtual Treatment

  • By Dian Schaffhauser
  • 01/30/19

While dissections are an integral part of most biology classes, many states now have laws in place that give students the right to opt out of animal dissections. The new solution offers schools an option, starting with a VR frog, which is expected to be available in this quarter. 

Two companies have teamed up to provide students with options to perform real or virtual dissections. Carolina Biological Supply is working with VictoryVR on the project. The first company provides supplies for science programs in K–12 and higher education; the second company develops virtual reality content in several segments, including education.

While dissections are an integral part of most biology classes, many states now have laws in place that give students the right to opt out of animal dissections. The new solution offers schools an option, starting with a VR frog, which is expected to be available in this quarter. The companies said additional specimens would be released before the end of 2019.

The VR dissection lessons will be led by Wendy Martin, an Iowa high school science teacher, who will exist as a hologram within the virtual experience to teach students how to use the instruments and to walk them through the steps of dissection.

"Frog dissections in science class are a rite of passage for most American students, but as the times change, we are adapting with them," said Bruce Wilcox, vice president of Carolina Biological, in a statement. "Dissections are an important part of teaching students biology at the high school level and a critical piece of teaching health professionals at the university level. We believe that virtual reality will supplement what we are doing today and be an integral part of learning tomorrow."

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • cloud computing circuit board background

    Cloud Crime on the Rise as Attackers Exploit Trust

    CrowdStrike's latest Threat Hunting Report traces a multiyear shift from conventional intrusions toward attacks that exploit trusted identities, cloud services, AI systems, and software dependencies.

  • team analyzing IT logs

    Convergence of AI, Quantum Risks Is Impacting Cybersecurity

    Recent research from Thales highlights how AI adoption and emerging quantum computing threats are putting pressure on existing security measures.

  • Students using laptops in classroom

    Stop Asking Whether Students Can Use AI

    As generative AI has become embedded in the tools students use to search, write, create, translate, organize, and receive feedback, the boundary between "using AI" and "not using AI" has become increasingly difficult to define. More importantly, treating AI use as a binary choice does little to help students understand the different roles AI can appropriately play in learning.

  • Businessman using laptop to analyze and control information security data

    Survey Identifies Data Governance Enforcement Gap for Agentic AI Tools

    According to a new survey from identity security company Delinea, 99.7% of IT and security leaders said their organization has a formal policy governing what data AI tools and agents are permitted to access. Yet only about 51% said AI access is checked against those policies in real time.