Teacher Uses Superior Computer Models to Help Fifth-Graders Learn Biology Without Hurting Animals 

For Immediate Release:
October 29, 2009

Contact:
Justin Goodman 757-622-7382

Camarillo, Calif. -- In the wake of budget cuts at Saint Mary Magdalen School in Camarillo, Calif., PETA has awarded Digital Frog's Digital Frog 2.5 software to fifth-grade teacher Julio Tellez to help him foster his students' appreciation for science without hurting any animals. Tellez had already introduced his class to sophisticated computer programs that eliminate the cruelty associated with procuring and killing animals for dissection, but the future of the program was in doubt because of the school's financial woes. Digital Frog 2.5 is an interactive computer program that allows students to "cut" using a digital scalpel and learn about frogs' ecology and it has been shown to teach anatomy better than animal dissection.

"We're happy to help Mr. Tellez introduce his students to biology by using only humane, modern teaching methods," says PETA Vice President of Laboratory Investigations Kathy Guillermo. "Unfortunately, cats, frogs, pigs, and other animals suffer and die for dissection at other schools even though non-animal methods for teaching biology have proved to be 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 their homes in the wild. Non-animal teaching methods such as computer programs or even clay modeling have been repeatedly shown to be as effective as--and in many cases, better than--animal-based methods. They also save time and money and increase student confidence and satisfaction. Last year, the National Science Teachers Association amended its official position statement to endorse the use of modern non-animal methods as replacements for animal dissection.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.