Pierce Lesson Plan

First-Place Winner: TMA Excellence in Science Teaching Awards

Bobby Pierce
Biology/Anatomy & Physiology Teacher
Whitney High School

Laparoscopy Tissue Biopsy
Sample Lesson

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this project the student will be able to:

  • Describe the anatomy and physiology of a selected organ
  • Identify the major artery and vein that delivers blood to and from the selected organ
  • Identify the major nerve that supplies neural information to the selected organ
  • Construct an accurate scaled 3D model of a selected organ
  • Identify and describe the tissue types that form the selected organ
  • Explain the location of the organ in the human body using medical terminology
  • Demonstrate proper technique using a laparoscope and endoscopic surgical equipment

Materials Used
  • Laparoscope & Television
  • Endoscopic surgical equipment (endodissector and endoscissors)
  • Shoe box
  • Soft sponge
  • Pipe Cleaners (Red, Blue, and Yellow)
  • Pink Construction Paper
  • Hot glue gun, tape, scissors
  • College Anatomy & Physiology texts
  • Computer with Internet
Methods of Implementation

To promote student interest in anatomy & physiology this activity is one of the first projects at the start of the school year in August.  I developed this project so students know right from the start that this class will be something special and interesting.  After a couple of days of motivational activities students divide into teams of 3 each to begin.  After students are in groups I announce the organs that will be used for the surgery project.  The organs are the stomach, left lung, liver, pancreas, ascending colon, descending colon, and right kidney.  I have each organ written on an index card and will walk around to each group and one member from each team will randomly select an organ card.

The following information is what the students must do:

  • Using texts and the internet determine the size and shape of the organ
  • Find the function or functions of the organ
  • Find the name of the major artery that supplies blood to the organ
  • Find the name of the major vein that drains blood from the organ
  • Find the name of the major nerve that supplies information to the organ
  • Find the name of the tissue types that form the organ
  • Describe the  location of the organ using medical terminology
  • Construct a scaled 3D model of the organ using a soft sponge and attach inside a shoe box lined with pink construction paper to represent a body cavity
  • Accurately place the artery (red pipe cleaner), vein (blue pipe cleaner), and nerve (yellow pipe cleaner) to the organ
  • Word process a detailed report of the required findings of the organ (the source for each finding must be documented)
  • Perform a successful tissue biopsy using a laparoscope and endoscopic surgical equipment
Laparoscopy Tissue Biopsy Surgery

With my close association with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center I asked the director of the Science Teachers Access to Resources at Southwestern (STARS) program if it was possible if UT could loan us a laparoscope and endoscopic surgical equipment.  I was trained using this equipment during a summer research internship for teachers at Southwestern  and thought this would be a very innovative way to begin my anatomy/physiology class.  UT Southwestern was gracious to loan us the equipment and this project is quite popular now.  Before the students use the equipment I demonstrate proper technique and procedures.  While surgery teams are researching and constructing their organs, each team practices using the equipment in a practice shoe box.

I poke holes in the top of the lid where the camera is inserted and have various things inside the box that students must find and move using the endodissectors.  It is amazing to see a junior or senior in high school demonstrating laparoscopy skills.  To students today it is just like playing a video game!  Each group will be allowed to practice for about 30 minutes.  On the day of the actual surgery, each student group will have to cut a small designated area off their sponge organ.  Before the surgery I will take a marker and make a small mark (about the size of a marble) somewhere on their sponge organ.  This mark will represent a possible growing cancer.  I will also place 4 holes into the top of the patient (shoe box lid) for the camera and instrument entrance.  Students will be dressed in full surgical gear from head to toe donated by a local hospital.  After I have the patient box prepared I hand the camera to one student and the operation begins.  There are enough anesthetics to last for 15 minutes only!  The camera operator must locate the abnormal growth (marked area) and be careful not to damage any blood vessels or nerves.  Once the growth is found the student with the endodissector moves in to clamp the tissue area.  The other student with the endoscissors moves in to cut out the marked area.  Once the tissue is cut out the endodissector will remove the abnormal tissue and the surgery is complete.  All the other surgical teams watch in anticipation for their turn.  The room has the tension of an actual surgery because we are watching their every move on the TV monitor.

Evaluation
  • Students will receive a total of 50 points for the word processed report of all the required organ findings
  • Students will receive a total of 25 points for the accuracy & quality of the 3D organ built in a shoe box
  • Students will receive a total of 25 points for demonstrating proper surgical technique using the laparoscope and endoscopic surgical equipment

Method employs creative/innovative approach

Instead of lecturing or using worksheets, students start off the year with an exciting and new project (not many high school students have ever used a laparoscope!) which promotes research skills, higher level reading, teamwork, artistic skills, language skills, and an appreciation for the skills of a surgeon.

Lesson requires students to use higher order thinking and problem solving skills

After the surgical teams are formed and the organ has been chosen the teams are on their own.  They will have to depend on each other to be successful.  Students will have to review information from Gray's Anatomy to various medical web sites to find the required information.  Students will have to think in researching the information and forming a quality research paper.  Students will have to demonstrate problem solving skills when they have to perform the tissue biopsy surgery.

Lesson actively engages students

This is a complex project to begin the year.  Students are so excited with this I just sit back and assist when needed and watch them work and learn.  Every student will be actively engaged throughout this entire project.

Lesson relates to objectives and draws reasonable conclusions

This project correlates to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) Anatomy & Physiology of Human System Objectives (Chapter 121):

  • Objective 1A - demonstrate safe lab practices
  • Objective 2A - implement investigative procedures
  • Objective 10A - compare anatomical structures to physiological functions
  • Objective 10C - research technological advances in treatment of disorders

Lesson stimulates student interest

This projects uniqueness and newness to the students builds a high level of interest and major satisfaction when it is complete.  I started this project three years ago and some people enroll in my class just for this project and others like it.  Students enjoy it that much.  This sets the tone for a very successful year.  Our project was so successful that WFAA Television (ABC-Dallas) sent out a news crew to do a story about it.

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Last Updated On

September 09, 2010

Originally Published On

March 23, 2010