Resources & Archives Educating the Next Generation Photo Credit: "CHCI" (Spring 2000) — NEAVS is joining forces with Friends of Washoe at the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute (CHCI) at Central Washington University (CWU) to develop an ethical science curriculum for grades 2-12. Next of Kin, the new 2-12 ethical science curriculum, has many connections to the famous book, Next of Kin, by author, Friends of Washoe co-founder, and NEAVS' Advisory Board member Roger Fouts, PhD. Heading the curriculum project is Rachel Fouts-Carrico, a six-year veteran science teacher, curriculum developer, humane educator, and daughter (next of kin!) of Roger and Deborah Fouts. By combining the latest computer technology with site visits and outreach teachers, Next of Kin teaches compassionate thinking with a strong anti-vivisection focus. Students all across the country will be able to participate through Internet or CD-ROM platforms that use media-rich audio, video, and animation techniques. The high-tech curriculum will incorporate teacher participation and individual student evaluation. The program is unique, not only because of its focus on ethics and anti-vivisection, but because of its educationally sound and engaging approach. "We knew that the program needed to be something comprehensive and something that the teachers are willing and eager to use," said Fouts-Carrico referring to the interactive CD-ROM portion of the curriculum. "We are developing an entire curriculum, approaching it in a totally different way." Students will be invited to visit CHCI, part of Central Washington University, where they can participate in a Chimposium, and learn more about Washoe and her chimpanzee family who communicate with each other and with humans using American Sign Language. "The project embraces all animals and looks at each species as a group of individuals, not tools without feeling and consciousness," said NEAVS President Theodora Capaldo, EdD. "From the frogs in the wetlands - for whom most students make their first ethical scientific decision as to whether to dissect or not - to our closest relatives, the great apes in their social communities, the next generation must be able to see and learn from animals in a new way and not perpetuate the mistakes and callousness of science past and present." Back to UPDATE 2000 Series, Vol. 1, No. 1 Spring mainpage.