Formaldehyde emits from the Anatomy classrooms and fills 3rd floor halls. For anatomy students, this familiar scent means direction, for the rest of the school, the pungent oder is enough to make their eyes water.

So what is going on in those Anatomy classrooms? Teachers Jennifer Legrotte and Alex Aiman surprised their student with freshly slaughtered pig organs. To an outsider looking in, this is anything but a pleasant surprise, but for Anatomy students, this is the perfect start to their morning. The pig’s heart and lungs were on display for students to understand the respiratory system with a hands-on experience.

“It was amazing for me to hold the heart in my hands,” Junior Kylee Odgers said. “I plan on going into the medical profession so this experience gave me a quick glimpse of the blood and guts of the field.”

While some students enjoyed sticking their hands in the lungs and cutting up the heart, other student were able to sit to the side and watch. Regardless of their choice, this unique opportunities showed students a real life diagram of their studies.