This lesson is designed to introduce students to the concepts of stem cells and regeneration using planaria as a model organism. Students will learn how neuroscience research promotes health and leads to understanding and therapies. Additionally, students will discuss ways to do such research ethically. In the lab portion, students will explore how the plant extracts they made previously in the Infusions & Decoctions: Preparing Plant Extracts lesson affect planaria regeneration.
Download the Lesson Plan
Planaria regeneration from HHMI
Stem Cell-Based Therapies—Click & Learn HHMI Biointeractive
Planarian Regeneration and Stem Cells video HHMI 11 :47 minutes
Planaria: A window on Regeneration- Exploratorium
Stem Cells: Cells with Potential - Exploratorium
The Science and Ethics of Stem Cell Research- A curriculum for grades 7-12 from the Northwest Association for Biomedical Research, focusing on Planaria and stem cell research
https://www.nwabr.org/sites/default/files/Planaria_Teacher.pdf
The Science and Ethics of Animal Research- A curriculum for grades 6-12 from the Northwest Association for Biomedical Research
http://nwabr.org/curriculum/animals-research
Speaking Honestly – Animal Research Education (SHARE)- A program designed to guide educators in leading a discussion-based classroom activity on the different views on the use of animals in research. The activity requires a single class period of 50-75 minutes.