The bell had barely stopped ringing when Mr. Harrison, escorted Caroline into the biology lab. Fifty tenth graders sat in their seats, notebooks open, some already whispering.

At the front of the room stood the Biology teacher, Mr. Joseph Brown, a broad-shouldered man with thin glasses and a voice that commanded attention. On his desk lay a tray of instruments, a roll of latex gloves, and something long and silicone, still wrapped in sterile packaging.