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In the world of biology, one

may come across the study of evolution, the skeletal system, photosynthesis, and dissecting animals. Dissecting is the study of dif-ferent body systems. Because humans are not to be dissected, there are animals used in the place of human bodies. In Bi-ology I, animals dissected are crawfish, starfish, fish, frogs and sharks. In Biology II, students will dissect pigs and cats. Before teachers let the stu-dents start “cutting away” at the animal, there are procedures to take. Biology II teacher Justin Evans says that he usually starts his classes off by taking notes on the digestive system and then dissecting. Then, the class takes notes on the respiratory system before dissecting. The dissecting ani-mal is used six to eight times. As far as personal beliefs on

dissection go, freshman Dayna Reeves says that she is looking forward to dissecting anything. “I figure as long as you learn something, there’s nothing wrong,” Reeves said. “[I am expecting] to understand how animals function and how the organs operate.” Occasionally, a student may not be able to perform a dissec-tion, leaving them with the al-ternative of doing an online dis-section. Some students refuse to dissect animals. Because of this, there are some schools that do not require dissecting to become a part of the class curriculum. In some places, such as Florida, Louisiana and Austin, TX, dis-section choice laws are in effect.The dissection choice law gives a student the right to refuse to dissect animals. By this law, a teacher is required to give a student a different assignment if the student does not want to dissect animals. All students are to be notified at the beginning of each semester that they are

given the option of an alterna-tive to dissecting. “There are tons of online dissec-tions. None are as good as hands on practice,” biology teacher Ryan Adlington explained. According to Evan, unless the

dissection is of a frog, it would be very expensive to perform an online dissection. Different websites offer online dissections such as earthworms, crawfish, fetal pigs, bones, cow eyes, frogs, starfish, perch, grass-

hoppers, clams, cow hearts and sheep brains. Junior Olivia Barrow, who has been a vegetarian for two years, finds it “immoral and in-humane” to dissect real animals. Barrow, like some other stu-

dents, believes that dissections should be done online if at all. “They say they [the animals] died of natural causes and that’s not true at all,” Barrow ex-plained. “I don’t believe animals should be born just to be dissected. I was disgusted,” junior Jacob Martin said. Martin also stated that he was a vegan for two months after dissecting. This is the effect dis-secting has on some students. “It’s wrong because you’re messing with the animals insides and you wouldn’t want anyone messing with you,” junior Erica Hyatt said. The animals are ordered from different companies, such as Nasco, Carolina and Fisher Scientific. The animals are ex-pensive. For all of the biology classes, the approximate price of the animals is $1,000 a semester. The approximate price for a class set is $130. The lab fees that stu-dents pay is counted towards the costs of the animals.

Just picture the audience in their underwear. That is one of the most com-mon pieces of advice that a per-son receives before he or she has to stand in front of an audience to speak. For some, this tactic is suc-cessful, but for others, unfortu-nately, they have to endure the scariness. “Stage fright is normal,” oral communications teacher Betty Brindza said, “Even experienced speakers have to learn control.” Brindza teaches oral commu-nications which deals with types of speeches such as impromptu, informative and persuasive speeches. Her class helps stu-dents to use communication in a proper way. “You will use communication

everywhere,” Brindza said. Knowing one’s topic, having time to rehearse the speech and memorizing are parts of what make a persuasive speech more productive. However, everyone has differ-ent opinions about memoriza-tion. “It’s a lot easier to memorize a speech,” junior Blake Gandy said. Scenarios such as if the audi-ence is younger, older or even

speaks a foreign language are some potential parts to a speech. Sophomore Catherine Bradley went to Brazil this past summer. During her trip, she had to give a speech to people who spoke a different language. “Giving a speech is a whole lot easier with a translator!” Bradley said. Next time one has to give a speech, think of some crazy catch phrase to help bear the stage fright jitters.

October 2010GCHS Features 9Biology offers hands-on experience

Teens skype worldwide

What is one to do if their best friend moves away and they fret about never being able to see them again? The answer to the problem is creating a Skype ac-count! Skype is an account one

signs up for that allows people to video chat with each other all over the world. “I use my Skype account to keep in contact with my aunt from Spain,” junior Tatiana Tritle said. “I never get to see my aunt so Skyping really keeps us in touch with each other.” The program was founded a

few years ago but is now making its way among teens. In order to Skype, one’s computer has to have a web cam. Laptops usually have a built in web cam which makes Skyping easier to do. As for desktop comput-ers, one would have to buy a web cam. Web cams vary in price, but Skyping in general is free. “One of my friends in col-lege told me about Skyping, so I decided to make one so we could talk all the time,” senior Evan Gartman said. “The point in Skyping is to connect with people that you don’t see all the time.” Skyping also allows people to video chat with multiple people at once. “A few of my friends had a Skype account so I wanted to get one too,” senior Alex Lewis said. “I like Skyping, I joke around with my friends.” Most people are addicted to other social networking sites but Lewis, Gartman and Tritle said Skyping is not like that. “I am not addicted to Skyp-ing; I get on every other day, but Skyping really is fun,” Lewis said.

photo/Jessi Broadus‘Talk to me’- Senior Alex Lewis uses Skype to talk with others. Skype is a way to communicate with people who are not close by and still be able to see their faces.

photo/Jessi Broadus‘Beauty is pain, but killing animals is inhumane’- Ju-nior Fallon Mizell presents her persuasive speech to her oral communication class.

Class calms public speaking phobia

photo/Toni Burkett‘Did the little piggy cry “wee wee wee” all the way home?’- Sophomore Emma Harris dissects a fetal pig in Justin Evan’s Biology II class. Science classes dissect animals to recognize parts of the body and to get hands-on experience.

2010 Reflections Yearbooks Extras $70Room 2

Miranda MardisStaff Reporter

Jessi BroadusFeatures Editor