Stem Cell Curriculum -- Downloads
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Development of the Stem Cell curriculum was made possible by "Collaboration to Advance Understanding of Science in ethics," a science Education Partnership Award from the National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health, 1R25RR016284-01A2
Individual Lessons for Download
Overview
Overall Unit Plan
Correlation to National Science Standards
Planaria Laboratory Activity
Teacher Overview
Student Research Project
Students use planaria as a model organism for understanding stem cells concepts, including stem cell potency.
Lesson One--Stem Cell Development
Students model early embryonic development using Play-Dough. In addition, they observe prepared slides of early sea star/sea urchin development. Students associate cells from different embryonic stages with their potency.
Lesson Two--Techniques for Obtaining Stem Cells
Students learn about IVF (in vitro fertilization), SCNT (somatic cell nuclear transfer), cord blood, bone marrow transplantation, and iPS (induced pluripotent stem cell) techniques. Short articles about the technique and background descriptions are provided. Students consider the implication of using cells from various sources.
Lesson Three--One Family's Dilemma
A case study example is used to introduce bioethical principles: A family must decide what to do with excess IVF fertilized eggs. Students identify the bioethical principle given priority in their own solution to the dilemma posed.
Lesson Four--Shades of Gray
Students develop an awareness of the many "shades of gray" that exist among the stakeholders in the embryonic stem cell debate. Students take the perspective of an assigned stakeholder, predicting their position based on a biography. Later, the actual perspective of the stakeholder is revealed.
Lesson Five--Ethics and Policy
This lesson provides students with the opportunity to consider how underlying ethical considerations influence the direction of public policy. Students become familiar with the policies and regulations for stem cell research in the United States, issues regarding public/private funding, and the implications for treatment of disease/advancing scientific knowledge. Using a "Socratic Seminar" approach to examine documents related to the embryonic stem cell debate, students develop an understanding of the social contexts in which research occurs.
Assessments
Students complete a Decision-Making Framework to consider the larger moral and ethical issues behind the use of in vitro fertilized embryos in developing stem cell lines. The framework serves as a basis for the final assessments.
Option 1--Individual Assessment
A Letter to the President's Bioethics Commission
Option 2--Group Assessment
A Grant Application for NIH funding to research treatment for a disease using either "adult" or embryonic stem cells.
Appendix
Classroom Discussion of Ethics
Ethics Discussion Evaluation Rubric
Additional Teacher Background
Selected Stem Cell Resources
Powerpoint Presentations for Use with the Curriculum