Fat Dogs and Coughing Horses: Animal Contributions Toward a Healthier Citizenry

September 30th, 2009 - July 31st, 2014 | PROJECT

This cooperative effort among Purdue University, public schools in Indiana, and The Children's Museum of Indianapolis aims to develop, evaluate and disseminate educational programs for K-12 students, parents, teachers and the public about the science involved in keeping people healthy. Obesity prevention, cancer prevention and asthma will be emphasized. Fitness programs, research programs using animal models, K-12 outreach programs, professional development workshops and recruiting efforts will be networked to fill gaps in health science education, interest schoolchildren in health science research and improve public health. This project will develop and rigorously assess curricular modules for grades three, six and nine. The science behind health advances, the clinical trials process and the role of animals in developing drugs and medical devices will be addressed. In addition, the project will engage schoolchildren in becoming health science researchers by providing them with role models. Researchers will interact with K-12 students during classroom visits, camps and after-school programs. Finally, the project will involve and engage children, parents and the public in educational fitness activities and programs. Dogs will be incorporated into fitness programs as exercise companions. The program includes an interactive traveling exhibit, highlighting the science involved in keeping people healthy.

Project Website(s)

(no project website provided)

Project Products

http://www.vet.purdue.edu/engagement/sepa/index.php

Team Members

Timothy Ratliff, Co-Principal Investigator, Purdue University
Sandra Amass, Co-Principal Investigator, Purdue University

Funders

Funding Source: NIH
Award Number: R25RR026005

Tags

Audience: Educators | Teachers | Elementary School Children (6-10) | Middle School Children (11-13) | Museum | ISE Professionals | Youth | Teen (up to 17)
Discipline: Health and medicine | Life science
Resource Type: Project Descriptions
Environment Type: Exhibitions | Informal | Formal Connections | K-12 Programs | Museum and Science Center Exhibits | Museum and Science Center Programs | Public Programs