Contents
Researcher in The Classroom
OBJECTIVES:
- To point to some of the scientific advances and their relevance to the community at large.
- To describe what actually goes on in a research laboratory.
- To explain why animals are used in research, and why some alternatives are good or not as suitable, depending on the type of research.
TOPICS:
- The role of scientific research in the community.
- Scientific advances rooted in Canada.
- Reasons for using animals in medical research.
- Specific medical research being conducted.
EXERCISE:
Explore the Topic(s) in the Classroom by:
- Contacting Partners in
Research and requesting a speaker: we would be pleased
to put you in touch with a scientific speaker or a university
in your area of the country.
- Encouraging discussion by your students by presenting
the title of the presentation several days in advance and
having students think about the topic and prepare some
questions before the speaker arrives.
Scientific Method Exercise
MAIN GOAL: To train students in the scientific
method for use in other investigations.
OBJECTIVES: To enable the students to:
- List the steps necessary for carrying out an investigation.
- Demonstrate proficiency in tackling the scientific method.
TOPICS:
- Plants need 90% of their leaves to grow.
- Pet owners select pet foods to meet their animals' nutritional needs.
- The average citizen believes that medical research is necessary.
EXERCISE:
The students, in a written or oral report, should:
- State the problem.
- Gather information concerning the problem.
- Form a hypothesis.
- Perform the experiment (e.g., survey a number of individuals).
- Observe and record information.
- State a conclusion.
Problem Solving Using the Scientific Method
OBJECTIVE: To have the students utilize
problem-solving skills and the scientific method
to find solutions to research situations.
TOPIC: Members of the Town of "Linford"
have been having outbreaks of rashes on their faces.
Further study of community habits has shown that whenever
anyone cuts themselves on the face or hands, community folklore
dictates that frog skin, smeared on their faces, will alleviate
some of these rashes. You are a new researcher sent from
the World Health Organization to check out the outbreak, find the
cause, and come up with a solution.
EXERCISE: The students can explore the topic using various methods:
- Large group discussion
- Role-playing, with students taking roles of researcher, citizens,
mayor, local healer, etc.
- Small group discussion
Organizations Supporting Medical Research
GOAL: To provide information for students
regarding organizations or single-disease groups that
support research into specific diseases.
OBJECTIVES:
- The student will explain in what manner one or
more of these organizations contributes to medical research.
- The student will describe other functions of the
organization (e.g., providing family support groups,
patient services, education, etc.)
TOPICS: Have the students contact one of
the following organizations/single disease groups:
- Alzheimer Society of Canada
- Canadian Cancer Society
- Heart and Stroke Foundation
- Canadian Red Cross
- Canadian Diabetes Association
- Arthritis Foundation
- ALS Society of Canada
- Canadian Institute for the Blind
- Lung Association
- Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Association
- Epilepsy Canada
- Huntington's Disease Resource Centre (Toronto)
- Leukemia Research Fund
- Lupus Foundation of Ontario
- Canadian Hemophilia Foundation
- MS Society of Canada
- Canadian Institute for the Blind
- Parkinson's Foundation of Canada
- Society for Crippled Children
- Canadian March of Dimes
- Cerebral Palsy Association of Canada
EXERCISE:
- Are there special research projects that this organization supports?
- How does the organization specifically contribute to research?
- Which disease state(s) have been helped due to the organization's support?
- Are people in the community with the disease being helped? How?
- How can you as a class/individual help this group?
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