Educational Materials
BioFocus (MISMR)
MISMR BioFocus
BioFocus is a newsletter exploring science & biomedical research issues for school educators. Current and past issues are available here.
Biomedical Research in Action: Disease Fact and Information Sheets (CBRA)
CBRA Biomedical Research in Action
This brochure includes individual sheets on a variety of illnesses and diseases. Topics include: alcoholism, Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, asthma, atherosclerosis, autism, cancer, companion animal diseases, diabetes, heart disease & stroke, HIV & AIDS, hypertension, lung disease, Parkinson's disease, tuberculosis, and zoonotic diseases. For students in grades 6-12.
Brain Facts (SfN)
SfN Brain Facts
Brain Facts is a 74-page primer on the brain and nervous system, published by SfN. Designed for a lay audience as an introduction to neuroscience, Brain Facts is also a valuable educational resource used by high school teachers and students who participate in Brain Awareness Week.
The 2008 edition updates all sections and includes new information on brain development, learning and memory, language, neurological and psychiatric illnesses, potential therapies, and more.
Download the full book (PDF) or download individual sections below. All downloads are PDFs.
Careers in Biomedical Research (CBRA)
CBRA Careers in Biomedical Research
This brochure discusses career opportunities and minimum requirements/conditions for working in various biomedical research and laboratory animal science fields.
Casey's Awakening (MSMR)
MSMR CAseys Awakening
A vividly illustrated storybook for middle school students takes students on tour of laboratory animal facility and describes the role played by animals in research and testing as well as the care that the laboratory animals receive. A guide of critical and creative thinking activities accompanies it. Cost: $5.50 each. Call 978-251-1556 for bulk order pricing.
Communicating Science & Medicine to Children (MSMR and the American Medical Association)
Communicating Science & Medicine to Children: A curriculum resource and speaker kits contains background information on biomedical science for teachers of young people; a compendium of activities geared toward stimulating thinking about biomedical science and advance language and interpersonal skills; and a set of cartoon slides with talking/discussion points. For grades 2-6. Activity booklet is intended for use with students in grades 2-5. The activities are designed to stand alone or can be used in conjunction with a presentation. Cost: Single copies free to New England educators, $35 to others.
A curriculum resource and speaker kits contains background information on biomedical science for teachers of young people; a compendium of activities geared toward stimulating thinking about biomedical science and advance language and interpersonal skills; and a set of cartoon slides with talking/discussion points. For grades 2-6. Activity booklet is intended for use with students in grades 2-5. The activities are designed to stand alone or can be used in conjunction with a presentation. Cost: Single copies free to New England educators, $35 to others.
Connecting Human Biology & Health Choices (CSBR)
CSBR Connecting Human Biology & Health Choices
A newsletter-style curriculum resource that addresses diseases and conditions that affect people as a result of genetics and of the choices they make and is in alignment with the California and Nevada Science and Health Standards for middle-school students. CSBR's Investigation and Experimental Series directly fulfills one of California's science standards.
For the Greater Good (NWABR)
NWABR For The Greater Good
The five-lesson, hundred-page unit for secondary science classrooms assists teachers in the use of the Seattle newspaper series For the Greater Good as an educational resource. This guide provides comparative information about different research strategies, as well as background on ethical perspectives. Cost: First hard copy free. Additional copies $4/each (incl. S/H).
Friends and Partners: A Story about the Partnership of Man and Animals (SwAEBR)
NWABR Friends and Partners
This 16-page illustrated booklet describes the partnership between people and animals in the search for advances in biomedicine. Included are illustrations of animals, as well as some photographs of children who have been helped by animal research. Cost: $0.50/copy (incl. S/H).
HEADS ON! For Healthy Living (MSMR)
MSMR Heads On! For Healthy Living
Fifty-page guide includes critical and creative thinking activities on health and science topics. The guide's topics are meant to accompany the People and Animals: United for Health calendar, but it may also be used as a stand-alone piece as a corollary to other health and science curricula. It is intended for elementary schools.
The Importance of Animals in the Science of Toxicology (SOT)
SOT The Importance of Animals in the Science of Toxicology
This pamphlet explains why animals are used in toxicology research. For high schools and colleges.
LAB Notes: Nutrition (MSMR, CBRA and OSERA - East Meets West in the Heartland)
MSMR Lab Notes
The newsletter is a fun, informative 16-page introduction to nutrition and nutrition science for students in grades 7 and higher.
The Mindful Microscope (CBRA)
CBRA The Mindful Microscope
E-Newsletter for educators that is published three times each academic year.
Monographs - Diabetes (MSMR)
MSMR Monographs-Diabetes
The MSMR Monographs Diabetes mellitus (or simply, diabetes) is a disease caused by the body's failure to produce or effectively use the crucial hormone insulin. Hormones are substances that help control the activities of cells.
Monographs - Polio (MSMR)
MSMR Monographs-Polio
Poliomyelitis - or infantile paralysis as it was formerly known - was a most feared disease in the U.S. in the first half of the 20th century. However, polio has been known for thousands of years in all parts of the world. The bone formation of an Egyptian skeleton of the period 3700 B.C. indicates the effects of polio, as does an Egyptian plaque from 1300 B.C.
Monographs - Rabies (MSMR)
MSMR Monographs-Rabies
Rabies is an infectious and contagious zoonotic disease caused by a virus. The rabies virus attacks the central nervous system and travels to the brain, where it ultimately causes the death of the infected person or animal. All mammals are susceptible to rabies infection, including humans.
Super Scientists (CBRA)
CBRA Super Scientist
This comic book explains how mice are helping scientists solve the mystery of disease through transgenic research. Topics include: genetics, why use mice, transgenic researchers, the future of genetic research and careers in human genetics. A quiz and handy definitions are included. For students in grades 4-8.
Thank You, Research (NJABR)
NJABR Thank You, Research
The "Thank You Research" lesson plan is to introduce students to the extensive medical research taking place in New Jersey. This lesson plan, designed for grades 5-8, will help heighten awareness and appreciation for the work of biomedical researchers and acknowledge the thousands of people engaged in basic, applied and clinical studies to improve the health of humans and animals.