Archives
Exploring Perspectives on Classroom Dissection: Insights from CASE, PETA, and Beyond
A few years back the California Science Teachers Association (CSTA then CASE now) and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) found themselves on opposite sides of a dissection debate in Sacramento. PETA was supporting a bill to ban…
Why Animal-Free Anatomy Lessons are the Future of Education
Science is always evolving, so why are some of the methods we use to teach it—like dissecting dead animals—stuck in the past? We can better prepare students for the future by leaving behind old ways in favor of innovative and exciting new approaches…
Evaluating Alternatives to Dissection with the SynFrog
At the 2023 California Science Education Conference in Palm Springs, the Keynote Speaker was the inspiring Dr. Tyrone Hayes, who introduced himself as “a boy who loved frogs.” I asked him after the keynote, how he felt about frog dissection, and he…
Invaluable Learning Experiences: Thoughtful Design and Implementation of Dissections
When people recall their science experiences in school, those with strong memories often describe times when they were actively engaging with content, having hands-on exploration, and participating in the process of science. Many describe conducting…
A Student's Experience with High School Dissection
Like most high school students, I took a course called Human Physiology. I knew it entailed learning about the human body and that I might see images that made me uncomfortable. I was also aware that dissecting an animal carcass was part of the…
Changing My Thinking About Dissection
The article describes a workshop by the Monterey Bay Aquarium, showcasing a more engaging approach to squid dissection. Unlike traditional methods, this workshop involved group discussions and inquiry-based learning, connecting the activity to real…
Green Engineering Design: Stand-Alone Solar Electric Systems
Are you keen to include more lessons on energy in your curriculum but are unsure where to start? Would you like to help your students understand the benefits of solar energy and get them interested in pursuing the plethora of careers offered in the…
Empowering Students to Design Tomorrow's Microgrids Today
Energy is Everything’s 9-12th grade workshop, Teach Your Students to Become Smart-Energy Managers on Campus, covers the United States’ energy system, energy resilience, and transition toward decentralized energy generation. With this, educators can…
The Spectrum of “Our Why?” behind CASE and DEI
The article reflects on the diverse motivations of science educators and the benefits of professional engagement through CASE It highlights educators' passion for teaching science, their commitment to equitable education, and the value of…
A New Framework for Teaching “Reasoning” in Claim-Evidence-Reasoning
Science requires precise thinking and well-structured writing, which many students struggle with. That’s how we zeroed in on strategies for teaching Claim-Evidence-Reasoning as the subject for a recent educator webinar.