Capaldo T. The Hidden Curriculum in the Harmful Use of Animals in Science Education. Paper presented at: Alternatives in the Mainstream: Innovations in Life Science Education and Training. 2nd InterNICHE Conference; 2005 May 12-15; Oslo, Norway


Abstract

Despite growing evidence that the harmful use of animals in science education is neither necessary nor the best ethically, economically, educationally or environmentally way to teach life sciences, the practice continues. In the face of what appears to be the illogic of its continuance, the possibility of hidden curriculum goals, or secondary agendas, must be explored. The presentation looks at what, besides basic science lessons, the harmful use of animals teaches and accomplishes. Specifically, the consequences of losing compassionate students in the field of science and desensitising those that stay will be approached as two possible hidden curriculum goals. Further, likely explanations as to how and why these secondary agendas fortify the status quo of harmful animal use in science in general will be considered. Finally, the role played by teachers as subscribers to the hidden curriculum goals or as desensitised victims themselves will be briefly looked at. As long as using, hurting or killing animals remains the rite of passage in science education then the ethical and methodological paradigm shift to humane and better science cannot occur.