IBL STEAM Lessons
To conclude the Human Reproduction section, we invited Dr Heather Allan-Gould, who is a specialist in gynaecology and obstetrics, to address our students.
Dr Allan-Gould is no stranger to our school as her three children are enrolled at St Stithians College. Her career talk was extremely interesting and informative. Dr Allan-Gould willingly shared her expertise and provided detailed answers to all the girls’ questions, prompting even the most reserved students to participate. Below are some of the questions asked by the students.
Curious Girls’ Questions:
If women have the physical ability to delay going to the toilet, is it possible in the same way to delay childbirth once the cervix has dilated and the mother is tired of pushing?
Do all babies come out crying? If not, why not?
Although natural birth is the most preferred method, what happens if the baby is too big?
Where do the sperm cells go when they have failed to fertilise the egg cell?
How big is the uterus?
If one has already had a caesarean section, do doctors make an incision in the same area?
Is it possible for a doctor to cut the baby during a caesarean section?
How is milk from the mother’s breast made?
How is the baby made in a test tube?
What is the role of morning sickness?
How does the doctor freeze egg cells? Can these eggs spoil?
Our students are good thinkers and reflect deeply.
Below are some highlights from the event.
Georgia Knight: “Dr Gould, I understand that there are different ways one can deliver a baby, but how did you deliver your children?”
I do not think I would have asked this question as a 12-year-old. We are proud that our girls are bold and fearless to voice their thoughts and ask questions.
Bontle Nogomba: “Miss Zondo, how big or small is a human egg?”
This question motivated me to ensure that an expert visited St Stithians Girls’ Preparatory to verify my facts!
Eva Rodrigues: “I feel that the section of the Human Reproduction was fascinating. I learned more about how the doctor, who delivered my brother, could have taken my brother out of the tummy.”
It is evident that our students appreciated the time to learn about puberty and childbirth from Dr Heather Allan-Gould. They valued the opportunity the school provided them with to engage with an expert and have their questions answered. The girls now have a clear understanding that without the magic of two sex cells, there is no life.
