Dr. Doug Robinson, Associate Professor of Biology at Mount Saint Mary College and the father of an NFA biology student, taught high school students about vertebrate biology and comparative anatomy. He gave a presentation on the evolutionary history of vertebrates and many of their adaptations that allow them to survive the environmental conditions in which they are found. Dr. Robinson also brought in many vertebrate specimens for the students to dissect. The specimens included sea lampreys, mudpuppy salamanders, bullfrogs, dogfish sharks, a fetal calf, and cats. This opportunity expanded students' knowledge beyond the work they did dissecting the fetal pigs in class, allowed them to see the differences in external and internal structures and how these aid in survival in their particular environments, and hopefully sparked interest in students in the future. 

NFA Biology teacher Ms. Benson and her students are extremely grateful to Dr. Robinson for providing the student scientists with this unique experience. 

 

PHOTOS | NFA Scientists Learn About Vertebrate Biology and Comparative Anatomy 

 

Story and photos provided by Ms. Jessica Benson.