Last week, students at Upland Heights Elementary got a firsthand look at the structures and functions of a squid's anatomy that aid their survival in depths of the sea. Using toothpicks and scissors students were lead through a squid dissection by their teachers Jacie Studebaker and Tiffany Beeles.  

Most students loved getting to handle their squids while also looking at the structures and functions that allow them to survive in the ocean. The students studied the external and internal structures. Some external structures observed are the chromatophores for camouflage, fins for steering and direction, tentacles to wrap around food, and the funnel used for jet propulsion movement. The internal structures include the beak, cartilage used for quicker movement, and an ink sack for protection.  

The students were also tasked with determining the gender of the squid by the coloring of the internal mantle cavity. Additionally, students got the opportunity to pop the ink sack and use the ink to print their names. 

The squid dissection has been a staple in Frenship curriculum for at least ten years, due to the ease in which they are dissected. They are an organism that fascinates the students, so they are always excited for this course of study. And since the squids are not stored in formaldehyde, they don't really smell!

“Hands-on experience is so much more engaging for the students,” said Beeles. “They not only can see the organism but can feel the texture and see in real life how these structures allow the organism to survive in its environment.”