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Animal research is an excellent topic for introducing young people to the ethics and implications of science and for helping them to think about the rights and responsibilities of a citizen.
Teaching ideas and resources
These resources have been designed to help you explore animal research with your classes in ways that are guaranteed to get them thinking and to generate debate. They complement the UAR free school speakers and workshops schemes which you can sign up for by clicking the button on the right. We will be adding new resources regularly.
Developing new medicines
Key stage 4 science: The development process for new medicines can take 15 years and this lesson will help pupils understand why. They understand that new medicines require many stages of testing and trialling, including the use of animals for scientific and legal reasons, and will consider their thoughts and feelings about the ethics of animal research in that context.
Thalidomide
Key Stage 4 science: These resources will help your pupils understand the Thalidomide tragedy, how it affected its victims, and what could have been done to prevent it. They will learn about the drug development process and the role of animal research within it and consider the ethical implications of science in society.
Animal research and alternatives
Key Stage 4 science and citizenship: his lesson will guide pupils through the controversial topic of animal research, why and how it is used, what the benefits are, its weaknesses and possible alternatives. It is an excellent subject for considering the ethical and social implications of science and for focusing on the complexity of the drug development process.
Vaccines
What are vaccines and how do they work? What is the role of animals in developing them? Are we morally required to get ourselves (or be) vaccinated? This lesson will help pupils address all these questions, developing their knowledge and understanding of a crucial aspect of health and biological education.
The war against malaria
A key stage 3 science or citizenship activity looking at malaria, one of the worlds greatest killers. Why is such a small amount of research funding dedicated to this serious condition? Why should it take a celebrity sufferer in the form of Cheryl Cole to bring it to media attention in the west? Does it matter that a lack of good animal models has hindered the development of treatments? Students will think about the ethical implications of research funding decisions as well as the rights and wrongs of genetically modifying animals to develop new medicines.
Animals in space
Animals have a central part to play in all sorts of research, not just in the development of drugs. This activity looks at how animals have contributed to space programmes and encourages students to consider the ethical implications of science in an unusual context. Ideal for key stage 3 science, this will also be relevant to citizenship classes and 20th century history.
Where do medicines come from?
Aimed at key stage 3 science, this activity will help students understand that the drug discovery process is long and complex and involves several different stages including basic research, animal testing and clinical trials. It can be done with or without the interactive Shuffle available in the Schools Zone.
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