A skull on display in the Carl C. Icahn Center for Science.
Wіth іtѕ іmрrеѕѕіvе соllесtіоn оf tахіdеrmіеѕ, ѕеаѕhеllѕ, аnd brаіnѕ, thе Саrl С. Ісаhn Сеntеr fоr Ѕсіеnсе (СІСЅ) іѕ nоt the аvеrаgе ѕсіеnсе buіldіng. Rather, it provides а fаѕсіnаtіng portal іntо thе wоndеrful wоrld оf bіоlоgу.
Students who hаvе tаkеn а bіоlоgу сlаѕѕ аt Сhоаtе have lіkеlу witnessed an аѕѕоrtmеnt оf ѕkеlеtоnѕ, brаіnѕ, аnd еggѕ. But, do they know whеrе thеѕе specimens соmе frоm?
Generous alumni, dedicated teachers, and various trustees have built the collection the School has today. Many former parents who were doctors have also donated brain specimens to the School.
Not only are the skulls and brains a unique and captivating feature of the CICS, but these gifts are also a tribute to Choate’s unwavering commitment to education, one that can leave a lifelong impact on students and encourage them to give back to the CICS.
Much of Choate’s assortment was put together by teachers. Physics teacher Mr. Ben Small and former science teacher Mr. Ian Morris would bury dead animals and allow insects to clean off all their tissue. After retrieving the remains, they would meticulously bleach and clean the bones, transforming them into valuable resources for display or tools for biology teachers.
The large collection of specimens in the CICS has accumulated over a long period of time, with most dating back to before it was even built in 1989.
Mr. John Ford, a science faculty member of over 40 years, said, “All this stuff has been here well before I got here, so let’s assume that it’s all been here 60 years or longer.”
The age and preservation of the Science Department’s specimens is exemplified by the penguin display on the second floor. The tag informs passersby that the penguin was originally from Richard Byrd’s first Antarctic expedition, before it was transferred to the Natural Museum of History. How it ended up at Choate, though, is a mystery.
The penguin has been in Choate’s possession for an incredibly long time. Mr. Ford said, “When I got here, I asked some of the people that had been here well before I had been, and nobody knew how it came about.” The best guess is that an alumnus acquired the penguin as either a gift or a purchase and then donated it to the School.
The taxidermied penguin stands proudly among other preserved specimens as a reminder of the Science Center’s duty to Choate students. The extensive range of models and samples provides students with opportunities to satisfy their curiosity and engage in hands-on learning.
As Mr. Small put it, “When students are walking through [the displays], we want and hope that it fosters curiosity, and that maybe students will have questions and ask about it and start a conversation.”
