Curriculum

New taxidermy class a hit at Michigan high school

Associated Press
Published | Updated

In this photo from Jan. 19, 2016, Croswell-Lexington High School taxidermy teacher Kyle Tubbs helps student Paige Kasper with placement of a rabbit's pelt on a form during the school's taxidermy class in Croswell, Mich. Each student in the 13-week class is responsible for bringing in an animal that he or she hunted, trapped or found dead. Students must mount a full-bodied animal while creating its natural habitat. "Trying to make something dead look like something that's living again takes ... skill," said Claire Knapp, a junior who was drawn to learning about taxidermy. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (The Associated Press)

In this photo from Jan. 19, 2016, Croswell-Lexington High School students work on their projects during the school's taxidermy class in Croswell, Mich. Each student in the 13-week class is responsible for bringing in an animal that he or she hunted, trapped or found dead. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (The Associated Press)

In a photo from Jan. 19, 2016, Croswell-Lexington High School students work on their projects during the school's taxidermy class in Croswell, Mich. Each student in the 13-week class is responsible for bringing in an animal that he or she hunted, trapped or found dead. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (The Associated Press)

A Michigan high school is offering a taxidermy course for the first time, and it's a big hit.

Sixty students enrolled in its first two sections, and about a dozen had to be turned away.

Each student in the class is asked to bring in an animal that he or she hunted, trapped or found dead. Road kill counts.

In Mieyah (MEE'-yah) Brenton's case, the red-bellied woodpecker the senior worked on was a gift from the family cat.

According to Brenton, a lot of people think the class is gross. But she says "it's just kind of something that's cool to learn, especially if you like biology."

Teacher Kyle Tubbs, who owns a taxidermy business, says the course meets state standards for science instruction. Principal Ryan Cayce (KAY'-see) says it complements other science and art classes.