East Dallas Times

Lakehill second-graders Mena Bova and Julie Valois receive their hog heart for dissection.

As second-graders at Lakehill Preparatory School recently wrapped up their study of the human body, their focus turned to one of the most anticipated field trips of the Lower School experience.

The annual trip to the Museum of Nature and Science to participate in a hog heart dissection is a much discussed, possibly life-changing, event for Lakehill’s second-grade students.  



Loveth Heard looks forward to dissecting a heart. Ewww.

The hog heart is the organ of choice because it is almost identical to the human heart, although much larger. The students wore gloves and goggles, and worked in teams to dissect the heart and explore the various parts.  



Although the dissection is geared toward middle school students, every year the museum docents compliment the preparedness of the younger Lakehill students.

“The students learn so much about the heart before attending this trip,” said Lower School coordinator Patti Brooks. “They always impress the docents with their knowledge, enthusiasm, and expertise with this activity.”

Thanks go to Gigi Ekstrom, Lakehill’s director of marketing, for providing the words and pictures.

Merritt McCaleb prepares to dig in.