PETA Donates Software to Help Philadelphia School Cut Out Dissection
Camelot Academy Welcomes Modern Teaching Tools That Make Kindness a Part of Science Classes
For Immediate Release:
February 10, 2014
Contact:
Tasgola Bruner 202-483-7382
Franklin Mims, a compassionate new science director at Philadelphia’s Camelot Academy, has ensured that none of the school’s students will cut into animals during science classes, thanks to a partnership with PETA.
To help the school switch to a state-of-the-art, all-virtual dissection laboratory that uses computer software to teach students biology, PETA—through its national educational grants program—has donated the popular Digital Frog software, which features modules on anatomy and ecology and even an interactive digital frog dissection. Interactive software such as Digital Frog has been shown to teach anatomy better than animal dissection. Other software will replace earthworm, fetal pig, and cat dissection at the school.
“PETA’s donation will allow Camelot Academy to modernize its curriculum and teach students to appreciate animals without harming them,” says PETA Director of Laboratory Investigations Justin Goodman. “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 more effective and humane.”
PETA is proud to bring this type of program to Camelot Academy, a school whose students have violated The School District of Philadelphia’s code of conduct. “Students are sent to our school because of behavior issues, and we are charged with helping them get their lives back on track,” Mims says. “Part of that curriculum must involve teaching them about the proper treatment of animals. We are grateful that PETA will help give us the opportunity to do that.”
The millions of animals used in school dissection come from biological supply houses, which breed animals, or are obtained from animal shelters or the wild. The National Science Teachers Association endorses the use of modern non-animal methods as replacements for animal dissection. Programs such as Digital Frog are effective, save teachers time and money, and increase student confidence and satisfaction.
Camelot Academy is a transitional school for Philadelphia students. The school, which opened in 2004, serves approximately 300 students from sixth through 12th grades and ages 11 to 21.
For more information, please visit PETA.org/Dissection.
