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Programs & Campaigns"Next of Kin"—A Compassionate Interdisciplinary Science Curriculum
Caring students are often frustrated in their attempts to experience a compassionate science education. Now, however, NEAVS and Friends of Washoe/Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute have developed a compassionate interdisciplinary science curriculum to introduce students to important science lessons and critical thinking about the use of animals in science.
The "Next of Kin Compassionate Curriculum" helps students develop awareness, form attitudes, and take actions to solve problems faced by chimpanzees – our next of kin – and other animals who are endangered or living in captivity. "The New England Anti-Vivisection Society is supporting this innovative project to help ensure that today’s students – who will become tomorrow’s future scientists and citizens – will be compassionate thinkers and not continue to blindly endorse the current limited and limiting ethic of the scientific community," said NEAVS President Dr. Theodora Capaldo, a psychologist. "When we see animals as real, live individuals who feel sadness, tenderness, fear and joy, it becomes increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to imprison and experiment upon them."
"Students using the curriculum will gain understanding of, and respect for, the other animals with whom we share the earth," said Rachel Fouts-Carrico, who headed up the curriculum project. "Not only does the curriculum educate students on issues regarding free-living and captive chimpanzees, the final chapter educates and encourages discussion on the ethics of experimentation on animals." Dr. Roger Fouts, famed co-founder of the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute at Central Washington University commented: "The only hope for establishing peace with our fellow species is through teaching compassion for all life to our children." Fouts-Carrico, the daughter of Roger and Deborah Fouts, spent two years developing the ethical science curriculum. She holds a master’s degree in administration in supervision and curriculum development.
The curriculum takes its name from the title of Roger Fouts’ and Stephen Tukel Mills’ 1997 best-seller, Next of Kin, in which Fouts describes his work with Washoe, the first chimpanzee to acquire the ability to use American Sign Language. The curriculum takes many of the book’s concepts – most importantly, compassion and respect for other individuals and species – and introduces them to students through a variety of interactive, thought-provoking lessons and activities. For example, students gain first-hand awareness of what it would be like to live in captivity when they are instructed: "Think what it would be like to be trapped in an elevator for two days with food and water – but no escape." This helps them empathize with a chimpanzee forced to "live" in a 5x5x7’ cage. The curriculum can be used by teachers as a supplement to other units or randomly. Curriculum activities provide the students opportunities to participate in research, decision-making and cooperative problem-solving. Comments from teachers piloting the program on both the east and west coasts have been overwhelmingly positive, according to Fouts-Carrico. The final phase, addition of materials for grades 10-12, is in development and will complete the entire 2-12 curriculum. |
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