Animal research ethics debate
Students will debate the ethics of using model organisms like C. elegans in human-health research.
Written personal stance on using C. elegans in research, citing one justification and acknowledging one genuine ethical concern.
- 1Do thisStudents will debate the ethics of using model organisms like C. elegans in human-health research.
- 2Use this resource
- 3Submit thisExit ticket: Written personal stance on using C. elegans in research, citing one justification and acknowledging one genuine ethical concern.
- 4Submit it here
- 1CMSD website. Go to clevelandmetroschools.org and click the Clever button.
- 2Clever. Clever opens. Sign in if it asks.
- 3Microsoft (district) login. Use your district Microsoft account (the one for school).
- 4Schoology. Open Schoology, then your class, then Assignments, and find the file named below.
The file to submit is named: Human Anatomy & Physiology (Human Body Systems) › Unit 2.2 Research Model: Model organisms, C. elegans, neurotransmitters/hormones, scientific literature, research poster. › Exit ticketOpen Schoology
Read to prepare for today
Vetted sources picked for today's question. Skim these before you take a position or start the work, so your argument and evidence are grounded.
- CER:
- Claim, Evidence, Reasoning — make a claim, back it with evidence, explain your reasoning.
- SOP:
- Standard Operating Procedure — the exact steps to follow (especially in a lab).
- Tracker:
- Your PLTW progress log where you record completed evidence.
- myPLTW:
- The PLTW course site where you do the online activities — you open it through Schoology.
Minute-by-minute · 80-minute block
💡 Big idea: Scientific research depends on model organisms, but their use raises ethical questions about animal welfare and research validity.
- 0-8Read the model-organism prompt; assign stakeholder roles to groups
- 8-22Group prep: list 2 justifications and 2 concerns from your stakeholder view
- 22-40Debate round 1: each group states its strongest justification
- 40-55Rebuttal round: each group responds to one opposing claim
- 55-70Individual writing: personal stance with one supporting reason
- 70-80Pair-share stances and submit exit ticket
- • A tiny transparent worm has helped scientists win multiple Nobel Prizes in medicine.
- • Today you will decide whether using that worm, and others like it, is ethically justified.
- • Bioethics debate sharpens your ability to evaluate evidence and communicate reasoning clearly.
- • You will leave with a written, reasoned stance you can defend.
- 1Read a short prompt on why scientists use model organisms.
- 2Form groups representing researchers, ethicists, and patient advocates.
- 3List two justifications and two concerns about animal models.
- 4Exchange one rebuttal with an opposing group.
- 5Write your personal stance with one supporting reason.
- • Each student articulates a stance backed by a reason.
- • Groups surface at least one real ethical tradeoff.
- • Model organisms like C. elegans are used because they share conserved biological pathways with humans.
- • Research ethics weighs scientific benefit against potential harm to living subjects.
- • Understanding why we use model organisms connects to Microbiology and Evaluate Body Systems WebXam domains.
Your PLTW work today
Unit 2.2 Research Model: Model organisms, C. elegans, neurotransmitters/hormones, scientific literature, research poster. · Animal research ethics debate
Day 1 of this lesson. Open this exact section in myPLTW (reached through Schoology), then do the work below.
Do this: Open Lesson 2.2 Everything Endocrine or Lesson 2.3 Challenge Accepted in myPLTW and complete any activity or reflection prompt assigned for today's model-organism ethics debate.
Mark the activity complete in myPLTW after submitting your exit ticket on C. elegans research ethics.
You finished the endocrine week; today begins the research-design phase bridging Lessons 2.2 and 2.3, and the task should be checked off.
Note or screenshot of completion status for your tracker.
All PLTW activities are completed inside the PLTW course environment — this page only gives direction. Submit producibles on Schoology.
Today's PLTW tracker
Check things off as you work, then submit. This tells Mr. Mendoza how you're doing so he can help the class. It does not replace turning in your producible on Schoology.
Use the code Mr. Mendoza gave you, not your name. Saved on this device.
Unit 2.2 Research Model: Model organisms, C. elegans, neurotransmitters/hormones, scientific literature, research poster. · Animal research ethics debate
Open Lesson 2.2 Everything Endocrine or Lesson 2.3 Challenge Accepted in myPLTW and complete any activity or reflection prompt assigned for today's model-organism ethics debate.
You finished the endocrine week; today begins the research-design phase bridging Lessons 2.2 and 2.3, and the task should be checked off.
This is how Mr. Mendoza sees the class keeping pace with PLTW. Be honest, it only helps if it is accurate.
🎯 Students will debate the ethics of using model organisms like C. elegans in human-health research.
- Read a short prompt on why scientists use model organisms.
- Form groups representing researchers, ethicists, and patient advocates.
- List two justifications and two concerns about animal models.
- Exchange one rebuttal with an opposing group.
- Write your personal stance with one supporting reason.
Exit ticket: Written personal stance on using C. elegans in research, citing one justification and acknowledging one genuine ethical concern.
Submit on SchoologyUpload by 11:29 PM for full credit.
| Task | Who |
|---|---|
| Read a short prompt on why scientists use model organisms. | _______ |
| Form groups representing researchers, ethicists, and patient advocates. | _______ |
| List two justifications and two concerns about animal models. | _______ |
| Exchange one rebuttal with an opposing group. | _______ |
| Write your personal stance with one supporting reason. | _______ |
Working solo? Put your own name in "Who" for every row.
- Each student articulates a stance backed by a reason.
- Groups surface at least one real ethical tradeoff.
Resources & readings
Vetted readings and references for this unit. Use them to prepare, to catch up if you were absent, or to go deeper on today's target.
WebXam practice
Cumulative WebXam review
A quick mixed-review pulling questions from earlier units plus today, so the WebXam material stays fresh.
Where this leads — careers
What today's skills lead to. These are real health-science careers this course builds toward. Tap one to see, on the US Department of Labor's O*NET site, what the job actually involves, what it pays, and how fast it is growing.
What to do if you were absent
Debate whether the simplicity of C. elegans justifies its use over more complex animals; log two points per side.
Then submit your Exit ticket on Schoology.
Class still runs. Complete the online activity above (it's self-guided). Need the concept taught without a teacher? Use this authoritative explainer:
Khan Academy: The science of biology (experimental design)Optional extra credit (async)
You've passed Unit 2, so the optional extra-credit track is open. Complete reserved-unit work from home (virtual labs included) for extra credit, all submitted on Schoology.
Open the extra-credit track- CompleteEvery required part of the artifact is present, nothing left blank.
- AccurateThe science and the data are correct and match the evidence.
- Scientific reasoningYou explain your claim with evidence and reasoning (CER), not just an answer.
- Professional communicationClear, organized, labeled, and written the way a clinician or scientist would.
- SubmittedTurned in the right way (Schoology for routine work) and confirmed.
Drop your Wed, Oct 28, 2026 · Animal research ethics debate here. Use a clear file name (your initials + project). Routine work still goes to Schoology (via the CMSD portal).
Upload a project