8th WORLD CONGRESS
Animalearn and Global Partners feature Humane Science Education By Laura Ducceschi
W
hen Animalearn learned that the Eighth World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences (8WC) was going to be held in North America for the first time in years, and that one of the themes highlighted during the event was education, we knew we had a lot to contribute. The World Congress is truly a unique event, known for its role in drawing participants from all parts of the world, representing diverse areas of the science community. Therefore, Animalearn was thrilled when 8WC organizers invited us to cochair a scientific session on using alternatives in education. In addition, we were approved as co-organizers of a favorite Congress feature, the Multimedia Exhibition, where we could set up and demonstrate the wonderful alternatives available through The Science Bank.
An Exciting Panel I had the pleasure of co-chairing a session, entitled “Introducing multi-media to the curriculum” with Dr. Rene Remie of the Rene Remie Surgery Center in Almere, Netherlands. We invited experts, including doctors and scientists from Korea, Norway, Netherlands, UK, and U.S., to present their innovative approaches to implementing alternatives in education. The discussion focused on higher education, especially veteri-
8 2012 WORLD CONGRESS: alternatives
nary and technical training, and the role that multimedia can play in generating availability and acceptance of alternatives. Two critical themes were shared by the panelists. All agreed that sophisticated multimedia is both enhancing and transforming science education on a global scale, and that there is a cultural shift encouraging the use of technology in classrooms, with students at the forefront of advancing change. Dr. Dan Smeak highlighted his surgical skills curriculum, a project funded by AAVS affiliate, the Alternatives Research & Development Foundation. He showed segments of the independent study interactive video module that is at the vanguard of reforming veterinary curriculum. Its goal is to familiarize students with key elements of surgery, and ultimately, with hands-on practical skills that they will need before participating in surgery. Additionally, panel discussion included multimedia such as free loan programs and alternative databases and the importance of their economic efficiency. Programs like Animalearn’s The Science Bank, as well as InterNICHE (international loan program) and NORiNA (database of alternatives), are critical in ensuring that access to the most technologically advanced alternatives to animal use in the classroom are widely available. The 150 session participants were encouraged to visit the Multimedia Exhibition to try some of the alternatives discussed.