Milbank Middle School Welcomes Modern Teaching Tools That Make Compassion a Part of Science Classes
For Immediate Release:
February 21, 2012
Contact:
Kristin Richards 202-483-7382
Milbank, S.D. — When students at Milbank Middle School start learning about animal anatomy, none of them will have to cut into an animal. That's because the school is implementing a state-of-the-art, all-virtual dissection laboratory that uses computer software to teach the students. To help, PETA—through its national educational grants program—is donating the popular Froguts virtual dissection software along with a building-site license that will allow its use throughout the entire school. Interactive software such as Froguts has been shown to teach anatomy better than animal dissection.
"We're delighted to help Milbank Middle School take the lead in teaching biology with humane, modern methods," says PETA Vice President of Laboratory Investigations Kathy Guillermo. "Countless frogs, pigs, cats, and other animals are still killed for dissection at less progressive schools even though non-animal methods for teaching biology are far superior."
The millions of animals who are used in school dissections come from biological supply houses, which breed some animals and obtain others from animal shelters or the wild. Comparative studies have repeatedly shown that non-animal teaching methods, such as interactive computer programs, are more effective at teaching biology than crude animal-based methods. These programs also save time and money and increase student confidence and satisfaction. The National Science Teachers Association endorses the use of modern non-animal methods as replacements for animal dissection.
For more information, please visit PETA.org/Dissection.