Looking for Getting Nerdy Dissection Models?
You’re in the right place.
If you’ve been searching for Getting Nerdy dissection models… Welcome! You found them. 🐸❤️
These are the same trusted models you’ve used before – just in their new home at Inside Out Science. While the name has changed, the mission hasn’t: creating hands-on, humane, and classroom-friendly dissection and exploration models that actually work for teachers and students.
If you’ve used Getting Nerdy dissection models before, then you’ll feel right at home here at Inside Out. New here? You’re about to join tens of thousands of teachers all over the world who have discovered a way to teach anatomy and dissection that’s engaging, effective, and a whole lot more manageable. I’m so glad you’re here.
What’s changed (and what hasn’t)
What’s new:
- A growing collection of updated models and lab resources
- A stronger focus on humane, eco-friendly science instruction
- Everything in one place at Inside Out Science
What’s the same:
- The models you know and trust (formerly of Getting Nerdy)
- Thoughtful design for real classrooms
- Clear, student-friendly learning experiences
Over 34,000 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reviews on TpT. Used and trusted by teachers all over the world.
Explore Inside Out Dissection Models
Not sure where to begin? Start with Inside Out’s most popular models – designed to work in real classrooms from day one:
The most popular starting point…
Perfect for introductory anatomy…
Quick, dissection-free win…
Want more? Browse the entire collection of vertebrates, invertebrates, organs and cells below!
Let’s get to the heart of anatomy. ❤️ This Inside Out Science Heart Dissection Model brings cardiac structure and function to life with an interactive, hands-on approach that helps students truly understand how the heart works. Featuring both anterior and posterior surfaces and detailed interior chambers, this 3-D paper model goes far beyond flat textbook diagrams.
What makes this heart model stand out? Inside, students will find moveable sliders that demonstrate how the tricuspid and mitral valves open and close, allowing them to physically model blood flow through the heart. Instead of simply memorizing valve names and pathways, students can see - and move - how structure drives function.
This comprehensive lesson covers 37 structures of the heart, guiding students through major vessels, chambers, valves, and supporting anatomy while reinforcing the relationship between form and function in the cardiovascular system.
Teachers use this heart model to anchor their cardiovascular system unit. It’s perfect for walking students through how blood moves through the chambers and for physically showing how the mitral and tricuspid valves open and close - not just pointing at them on a diagram.
Use it as a humane alternative to heart dissection, or bring it out as a pre-lab so students already understand what they’re looking at. It also works beautifully as a hands-on summative assessment, giving students a meaningful way to demonstrate real understanding of heart structure and function.
Like all Inside Out Science resources, this model is humane, reusable, eco-friendly, and built for real classrooms. It helps students move beyond memorization and truly understand the cardiovascular system - from the Inside Out.
WHAT'S INCLUDED in this 3-5 DAY HEART EXPLORATION LESSON:
• EDITABLE PowerPoint slides with bellwork, instructions, notes and embedded answer key to handouts
• NON-EDITABLE PDF handouts
→ Student-friendly guided reading PDF
→ Differentiated graphic organizers PDF
→ Heart Model Templates in BLACK LINE AND COLOR
→ Extension questions
→ Answer keys
• GOOGLE DRIVE ACCESS TO THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS
→ Student-friendly guided reading PDF
→ Differentiated graphic organizers PDF
- Learn about the structures of the internal and external anatomy of the heart using the guided reading, color key and graphic organizer
- Color, cut out and assemble a 3-D Scienstructable paper heart dissection model
- Complete extension questions
TEACHERS LOVE IOS DISSECTION MODELS, HERE'S WHY:
❤️ Olivia H. says, "IOS resources are perfect for students to practice with before doing a dissection, as well as referring back to after dissections. I also like the option to use resources for super squeamish students or when the budget is tight. I could not recommend their products more!"
❤️ Courtney C. says, "I love the pig for our forensic pathology unit! We are able to discuss anatomy and we do not need to use preserved pigs (for the squeamish students). This is a great resource!"
❤️ Lani B. says, "I can't say enough good things about the pig resource! We completed this activity before beginning our fetal pig Dissection. It gave students a great idea of what they would expect during the dissection such as placement and orientation. It was extremely successful! Thank you!"
Here’s the Rules (TERMS OF USE (TOU)):
Everything contained within this document belongs to:
© Inside Out Science, 2025 to present. All rights reserved by author.
Purchasing this resource allows the licensee to copy and upload for single classroom use only. This resource may only used by the original purchaser and their students and can only be accessible on password-protected sites such as Canvas, Google Classroom, or other password-protected digital learning platforms.
It is not for public display. This resource may not be uploaded publicly on the internet, or on shared district or campus drives, or on social media for others to access. This resource may not be shared with other teachers without the appropriate licensing.
Please respect the Digital Millenium Copyright Act. Posting any content from this purchase to the Internet is in violation of Copyright Act of 1976 and is punishable by law. Failure to comply with these terms of use is a copyright infringement. Images and elements found within these protected documents cannot be extracted and used outside of these files without express permission or license from the creator.
Need to get in touch? You can find me at: insideoutsci@gmail.com
HEART SCIENSTRUCTABLE 3D DISSECTION MODEL © Inside Out Science, 2025 to present. All rights reserved by author.
Why teachers are switching to paper dissection models
More and more classrooms are moving toward humane dissection alternatives, and for good reason.
In real classrooms, teachers are running into challenges like:
- Rising costs: specimens are getting more expensive
- Inconsistent quality: shipments can arrive damaged, overly preserved, or difficult to work with
- Limited availability: certain specimens (and even specific sexes) aren’t always available
- Student hesitation: more students are uncomfortable participating
- Time and logistics: setup, cleanup, storage, and safety all add up
A more reliable, classroom-friendly approach:
Inside Out Science models keep the hands-on learning, while removing many of the barriers that make traditional dissection challenging. Students can:
- Explore anatomy in a clear, structured way
- Build understanding without the mess or unpredictability
- Participate fully, regardless of comfort level
Just as important, it’s about what students bring into that experience:
For many teachers, it’s not about replacing dissection entirely – it’s about giving students the chance to build confidence before they ever pick up a tool. The end goal being to create a classroom culture rooted in curiosity, care, and respect for the organism – not uncertainty or hesitation.
Whether you’re looking for a frog dissection alternative, an affordable way to do comparative anatomy, or a way to make dissection day more accessible, inclusive, and purposeful for all students, you’re in the right place.
A quick note: If you were redirected here from Getting Nerdy, nothing’s broken – you’ve just arrived at the new home for these resources. And if you’ve been searching, clicking, or asking around trying to find these models again, I’m really glad you made it here. 🐸❤️
Don’t miss what’s next
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