A bighorn sheep wanders onto Highway 16 near Disaster Point, painfully unaware of the imminent danger hurdling 90 km/hr several hundred metres ahead. Most cars stop for the sheep, take pictures and gawk at the brazen nature of these habituated animals.

But mere seconds later, metal meets sheep. The impact crushes the sheep’s ribcage, as bone punctures heart. The sheep quickly becomes another casualty, another statistic for wildlife mortality records. 

Three days later, the sheep’s body lies within the Jasper Transfer Station. It’s surrounded by curious students who watch in wonder as Parks staff make precise incisions into the chest cavity. A seven-month old dead wolf and a dead black bear also lie next to the sheep. The students stare and squirm in wonderment. The highway accident is now a science lesson.

Jasper National Park Resource Conservation specialists Terry Winkler and Geoff Skinner brought the sheep to the transfer station in order to deliver a poignant lesson to École Desrochers students about biology and anatomy. The students, ranging from Grades 5 to 9, slowly lost their initial sense of shock, and listened intently as Winkler and Skinner discussed the functions of the heart, brain and intestines, using the sheep as a demonstration subject.

Biology teacher Jocelyn Nadeau said the students otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to receive such an in depth science lesson. Grade 9 students at École Desrochers dissect cow’s eyes, but nothing to the extent of the lesson delivered by Winkler and Skinner.

“We try to give our students different learning opportunities and we are very lucky because the people of Jasper are very collaborative. We have incredible people and resources in this community and all students love to get out of the classroom and learn from experts,” said Nadeau. 

While the lesson appears difficult at first glance, Nadeau said it’s a part of experiencing the Jasper community.

“I think it’s important for students to see and experience all the cool things people have studied and all the cool jobs people have right here in Jasper. Winkler and Skinner are just amazing; they are great models for students... they are passionate about nature, they know their science, they can explain body parts, systems, diseases and they have a million interesting stories and anecdotes to tell. I don’t think you can get a more interesting biology lesson anywhere. I know students were impressed and that they had lots to tell at the family dinner that day,” Nadeau said.

This was the second time Parks Canada has delivered such a lesson for the school. Two years ago, they dissected an elk as part of the students’ science class.