Summer 2021 Agenda
Wednesday August 18th (all times EDT)
10:00-10:30am: Opening Remarks (Room 1)
10:30-11:15am: Keynote Session - Louie Psihoyos (Room 1)
11:30am-12:15pm: Sessions
1:00-1:45pm: Sessions
3:45-4:00pm: Day Wrap-up (Room 1)
10:00-10:30am: Opening Remarks (Room 1)
10:30-11:15am: Keynote Session - Louie Psihoyos (Room 1)
11:30am-12:15pm: Sessions
- Room 1: Eliminating the Use of Animals in Research and Education (Gr.7-12, Post-secondary)
- Room 2: Nontraditional and Experiential Learning (Pre-K, K-Gr.12, Post-secondary)
- Room 3: Mindfulness in Action (Pre-K, K-Gr.8)
1:00-1:45pm: Sessions
- Room 1: The Benefits of Plant-Based Foods at All Ages (Pre-K, K-Gr.12, Post-secondary)
- Room 2: A Canadian Strategy for Humane Education (Pre-K, K-Gr.12, Post-secondary)
- Room 3: Connecting to All Beings and Nature Through Inquiry Projects and Summer Camps (K-Gr.12)
- Room 1: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Pre-K, K-Gr.12, Post-secondary)
- Room 2: Using Storytime and Animal Projects to Cultivate Compassion (K-Gr.6)
- Room 3: Creative Ways to Incorporate Animal Issues into High School Courses (Gr.9-12)
3:45-4:00pm: Day Wrap-up (Room 1)
Thursday August 19th (all times EDT)
10:00-10:15am: Day 2 Welcome (Room 1)
10:15-11:00am: Keynote Session - Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter (Room 1)
11:15am-12:00pm: Sessions
12:45-1:30pm: Sessions
3:30-4:00pm: Conference Wrap-up (Room 1)
10:00-10:15am: Day 2 Welcome (Room 1)
10:15-11:00am: Keynote Session - Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter (Room 1)
11:15am-12:00pm: Sessions
- Room 1: The MEd Course 'Animals in Education' (Pre-K, K-Gr.12, Post-secondary)
- Room 2: The Local and Global Effects of Animal Agriculture (Gr.7-12)
- Room 3: Critical Animal Studies and Pedagogy (Gr.9-12, Post-secondary)
12:45-1:30pm: Sessions
- Room 1: Animal Advocacy School Clubs (Gr.7-12)
- Room 2: Exploring Animal Protection in Multiple Subjects Such as English Language Arts (K-Gr.12)
- Room 3: Educating About Trans-Species Social Justice (Gr.9-12, Post-secondary)
- Room 1: Humane Education Resources from Non-Profit Organizations (Pre-K, K-Gr.6)
- Room 2: Fostering Empathy and Critically Compassionate Thinking (Pre-K, K-Gr.12, Post-secondary)
- Room 3: Community Activists in the Classroom (Gr.7-12)
3:30-4:00pm: Conference Wrap-up (Room 1)
Summer 2021 Session Descriptions
Session: Eliminating the Use of Animals in Research and Education
Age Level: Gr.7-12, Post-secondary
Presentation: From the Classroom to the Laboratory - Why Using Animals in Experiments is Harmful to Humans
Presenter: Lisa Kramer
A common argument for using animals in biomedical research and education (including dissections in classroom settings) is that their use is essential to the eventual development of treatments and cures to benefit humans. In fact, a careful review of published research in journals including Nature, Science, and the Journal of the American Medical Association, shows animal-based research is overall ineffective, misleading to scientists, unable to prevent the development of dangerous drugs, and prone to prevent the development of useful drugs. This session will provide an overview of the evidence-based case that using animals in biomedical research is harmful to humans, including patients, students in training, taxpayers, researchers, and others.
Presentation: Non-animal Methods for Curriculum Aligned Anatomy Education
Presenter: Elisabeth Ormandy
Non-animal teaching methods, like virtual anatomy tools, have some important benefits. They are 1) better for education (as shown by empirical, peer-reviewed studies), 2) cost effective for schools, 3) safer and more inclusive for students, 4) the greener option and 5) the ethical option. In this panel we'll explore some of the amazing non-animal teaching options that are available, discuss some of the roadblocks to getting animals off dissection trays (and how to overcome them!), and answer any other questions you have about making the switch from real animal specimens to innovative non-animal methods.
Age Level: Gr.7-12, Post-secondary
Presentation: From the Classroom to the Laboratory - Why Using Animals in Experiments is Harmful to Humans
Presenter: Lisa Kramer
A common argument for using animals in biomedical research and education (including dissections in classroom settings) is that their use is essential to the eventual development of treatments and cures to benefit humans. In fact, a careful review of published research in journals including Nature, Science, and the Journal of the American Medical Association, shows animal-based research is overall ineffective, misleading to scientists, unable to prevent the development of dangerous drugs, and prone to prevent the development of useful drugs. This session will provide an overview of the evidence-based case that using animals in biomedical research is harmful to humans, including patients, students in training, taxpayers, researchers, and others.
Presentation: Non-animal Methods for Curriculum Aligned Anatomy Education
Presenter: Elisabeth Ormandy
Non-animal teaching methods, like virtual anatomy tools, have some important benefits. They are 1) better for education (as shown by empirical, peer-reviewed studies), 2) cost effective for schools, 3) safer and more inclusive for students, 4) the greener option and 5) the ethical option. In this panel we'll explore some of the amazing non-animal teaching options that are available, discuss some of the roadblocks to getting animals off dissection trays (and how to overcome them!), and answer any other questions you have about making the switch from real animal specimens to innovative non-animal methods.
Session: Non-Traditional and Experiential Learning
Age Level: Pre-K, K-Gr.12, Post-secondary
Presentation: Encouraging Participation in Animal Advocacy Through Nontraditional Evaluation Methods
Presenter: Nimisha Dubey
This presentation will discuss the use of assignments to have students participate in animal advocacy. Discussion will include the efficacy of using "non-traditional" evaluation methods in the classroom to encourage students to engage in animal welfare and rights campaigns. The presenter will draw on a few examples, such as op-eds and social media campaigns, but will encourage attendees to share their experiences and suggestions with the group as well. The goal of this presentation is to facilitate the development of timely classroom curriculum and evaluations that not only test a student's knowledge of course material, but foster skills that can be used to contribute to animal advocacy efforts.
Presentation: Teaching the Animal through Interdisciplinary Experiential Learning
Presenter: Alice J. Hovorka
This presentation offers an instructional design option for teaching the animal through interdisciplinary experiential learning. Interdisciplinary learning integrates multidisciplinary knowledge across a central theme while experiential learning encourages learners to move through a recursive process of experiencing, reflecting, thinking, and acting. Preliminary insights from student learning experiences/outcomes reveal the transformative potential of this approach given students’ modified viewpoints, enhanced ethical sensitivity, enlarged horizons, and behavioral changes regarding animals. While this instructional design (and accompanying research) is grounded in the post-secondary realm, the session will be equally relevant to those educators wishing to expand opportunities for students at all levels to appreciate, critically examine, and positively influence animal lives.
Age Level: Pre-K, K-Gr.12, Post-secondary
Presentation: Encouraging Participation in Animal Advocacy Through Nontraditional Evaluation Methods
Presenter: Nimisha Dubey
This presentation will discuss the use of assignments to have students participate in animal advocacy. Discussion will include the efficacy of using "non-traditional" evaluation methods in the classroom to encourage students to engage in animal welfare and rights campaigns. The presenter will draw on a few examples, such as op-eds and social media campaigns, but will encourage attendees to share their experiences and suggestions with the group as well. The goal of this presentation is to facilitate the development of timely classroom curriculum and evaluations that not only test a student's knowledge of course material, but foster skills that can be used to contribute to animal advocacy efforts.
Presentation: Teaching the Animal through Interdisciplinary Experiential Learning
Presenter: Alice J. Hovorka
This presentation offers an instructional design option for teaching the animal through interdisciplinary experiential learning. Interdisciplinary learning integrates multidisciplinary knowledge across a central theme while experiential learning encourages learners to move through a recursive process of experiencing, reflecting, thinking, and acting. Preliminary insights from student learning experiences/outcomes reveal the transformative potential of this approach given students’ modified viewpoints, enhanced ethical sensitivity, enlarged horizons, and behavioral changes regarding animals. While this instructional design (and accompanying research) is grounded in the post-secondary realm, the session will be equally relevant to those educators wishing to expand opportunities for students at all levels to appreciate, critically examine, and positively influence animal lives.
Session: Mindfulness in Action
Age Level: Pre-K, K-Gr.8
Presentation: Global Green Action Project - Mindful Compassionate Action to Support Change In The World!
Presenter: Jennifer Green-Blair
This is a discussion on the importance of supporting our local and global heroes and youth taking action to support all life on this planet through compassionate, mindful education and initiatives. In this session, we discuss mindful compassionate living, and how it relates to education in various settings; how it supports emotional intelligence and education as well as cross-curriculum benefits for children and youth to enrich their learning. We also discuss how merging mindful compassionate education with action implementation is integral to up leveling our global educational platform and its positive impact awareness overall. We further discuss the benefits this process has within local and global community to build enduring positive change which helps deepen and enrich our relationships with our animals, and the environment.
Presentation: Navigating your Parent/School Committees
Presenter: Shoshana Chaim
Shoshana Chaim is a Wellness Entrepreneur, retired teacher, #1 best-selling author of I Am A Peaceful Goldfish, and host of The Plant Trainers Podcast. She will share some of her experiences bringing nutritional awareness of animal products in schools. Shoshana will also share some of the tools children, parents and educators can use to remain calm when the conversation seems to be headed to confrontation.
Age Level: Pre-K, K-Gr.8
Presentation: Global Green Action Project - Mindful Compassionate Action to Support Change In The World!
Presenter: Jennifer Green-Blair
This is a discussion on the importance of supporting our local and global heroes and youth taking action to support all life on this planet through compassionate, mindful education and initiatives. In this session, we discuss mindful compassionate living, and how it relates to education in various settings; how it supports emotional intelligence and education as well as cross-curriculum benefits for children and youth to enrich their learning. We also discuss how merging mindful compassionate education with action implementation is integral to up leveling our global educational platform and its positive impact awareness overall. We further discuss the benefits this process has within local and global community to build enduring positive change which helps deepen and enrich our relationships with our animals, and the environment.
Presentation: Navigating your Parent/School Committees
Presenter: Shoshana Chaim
Shoshana Chaim is a Wellness Entrepreneur, retired teacher, #1 best-selling author of I Am A Peaceful Goldfish, and host of The Plant Trainers Podcast. She will share some of her experiences bringing nutritional awareness of animal products in schools. Shoshana will also share some of the tools children, parents and educators can use to remain calm when the conversation seems to be headed to confrontation.
Session: The Benefits of Plant-Based Foods at All Ages
Age Level: Pre-K, K-Gr.12, Post-secondary
Presentation: The Benefits of a Plant-Based Menu in Schools and Child Care
Presenter: Valerie Trew
This session explores the benefits of a plant-based menu in schools and child care through the firsthand experiences of a university-based early learning lab school's successful implementation. Learn about the safety, efficiency, inclusion, sustainability, nutrition, health, and cost benefits of a plant-based school menu and arm yourself with the information and language to effectively advocate for change in your educational setting. Participants will receive a toolkit complete with a 4-week sample menu, large scale recipes, nutritional analysis, and resources.
Presentation: Virtual Events on Plant-Based Eating with Multiple-Time Triathlon Champion Jason Fonger
Presenter: Jason Fonger
Plant-based foods support human health, have a minimal environmental footprint, and prevent animal suffering. It’s no wonder that more and more people are choosing to explore plant-based food options! If you'd like to provide your students with an opportunity to explore and understand this way of eating, you may be interested in Jason Fonger’s virtual events. The multiple-time triathlon champion speaks to high school students about his experience eating a 100% plant-based diet since 2009 and gives an overview of the different reasons behind people choosing plant-based food. From health and physical education classes to environmental science classes and beyond, presentations are customized for each group. For educators in Ontario who may be looking for Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programming, Jason offers several Certifications that have been popular across the province. In this session, Jason will discuss his events and how he hopes they will impact schools across Canada.
Age Level: Pre-K, K-Gr.12, Post-secondary
Presentation: The Benefits of a Plant-Based Menu in Schools and Child Care
Presenter: Valerie Trew
This session explores the benefits of a plant-based menu in schools and child care through the firsthand experiences of a university-based early learning lab school's successful implementation. Learn about the safety, efficiency, inclusion, sustainability, nutrition, health, and cost benefits of a plant-based school menu and arm yourself with the information and language to effectively advocate for change in your educational setting. Participants will receive a toolkit complete with a 4-week sample menu, large scale recipes, nutritional analysis, and resources.
Presentation: Virtual Events on Plant-Based Eating with Multiple-Time Triathlon Champion Jason Fonger
Presenter: Jason Fonger
Plant-based foods support human health, have a minimal environmental footprint, and prevent animal suffering. It’s no wonder that more and more people are choosing to explore plant-based food options! If you'd like to provide your students with an opportunity to explore and understand this way of eating, you may be interested in Jason Fonger’s virtual events. The multiple-time triathlon champion speaks to high school students about his experience eating a 100% plant-based diet since 2009 and gives an overview of the different reasons behind people choosing plant-based food. From health and physical education classes to environmental science classes and beyond, presentations are customized for each group. For educators in Ontario who may be looking for Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) programming, Jason offers several Certifications that have been popular across the province. In this session, Jason will discuss his events and how he hopes they will impact schools across Canada.
Session: A Canadian Strategy for Humane Education
Age Level: Pre-K, K-Gr.12, Post-secondary
Presentation: A National Strategy for Humane Education
Presenters: Barbara Cartwright, Brenda Bedford
Humane Education is defined by the Academy of Pro-social Learning as encouraging cognitive, affective and behavioural growth through personal development of critical thinking, problem solving, perspective taking and empathy as it relates to animals, people and the planet and the intersections between them. Even though it is a well-established tool with the potential to affect the root change required to foster a more compassionate and empathetic society, there is no well-resourced, consistent, shared strategy across the sector. In 2020, Humane Canada convened a national taskforce of experts to review current humane education programs around the world, assess the practice here in Canada and develop a national strategy to advance the practice in formal and informal education settings. Join us to learn more about the findings of the research and the steps to realize a strong national system to support educators for animals with a focus on one welfare thinking!
Age Level: Pre-K, K-Gr.12, Post-secondary
Presentation: A National Strategy for Humane Education
Presenters: Barbara Cartwright, Brenda Bedford
Humane Education is defined by the Academy of Pro-social Learning as encouraging cognitive, affective and behavioural growth through personal development of critical thinking, problem solving, perspective taking and empathy as it relates to animals, people and the planet and the intersections between them. Even though it is a well-established tool with the potential to affect the root change required to foster a more compassionate and empathetic society, there is no well-resourced, consistent, shared strategy across the sector. In 2020, Humane Canada convened a national taskforce of experts to review current humane education programs around the world, assess the practice here in Canada and develop a national strategy to advance the practice in formal and informal education settings. Join us to learn more about the findings of the research and the steps to realize a strong national system to support educators for animals with a focus on one welfare thinking!
Session: Connecting to All Beings and Nature Through Inquiry Projects and Summer Camps
Age Level: K-Gr.12
Presentation: Holistic Educator
Presenter: Catherine Lamarche
How can you feel empowered and confident providing a solid teaching program to your students that inspires changes that we are hoping to see in our relationship with animals? By using the components of the curriculum, it is possible to remain aligned with values related to kindness to all. In this workshop, you will learn how to develop curiosity and wonder in students so they become more comfortable asking important questions. Through inquiry projects, students develop a more critical thinking approach by asking fundamental questions and research more efficiently knowing that there are more than one perspective. By practicing mindful strategies, being in nature, constantly reminding the theme of harmony with everyone and developing self awareness, students will develop a better connection with nature, themselves and all beings.
Presentation: Sharing Experiences of Running Educational Youth Camps
Presenter: Ambika Jain
Towards Ahimsa is a volunteer-run, nonprofit organization that runs overnight camps for youth aged 9-17, focusing on the philosophy of ahimsa (nonviolence) and its application in daily life as it affects our relationships with animals, humans, and Earth. Since 2011, the camps have attracted a diverse group of 100+ youth each summer. This session will provide: an overview of Towards Ahimsa's curriculum and approach to engage youth; the challenges and successes in running an educational camp as relevant to teaching in schools; a review of Towards Ahimsa's experience in establishing and maintaining a volunteer-run nonprofit organization.
Age Level: K-Gr.12
Presentation: Holistic Educator
Presenter: Catherine Lamarche
How can you feel empowered and confident providing a solid teaching program to your students that inspires changes that we are hoping to see in our relationship with animals? By using the components of the curriculum, it is possible to remain aligned with values related to kindness to all. In this workshop, you will learn how to develop curiosity and wonder in students so they become more comfortable asking important questions. Through inquiry projects, students develop a more critical thinking approach by asking fundamental questions and research more efficiently knowing that there are more than one perspective. By practicing mindful strategies, being in nature, constantly reminding the theme of harmony with everyone and developing self awareness, students will develop a better connection with nature, themselves and all beings.
Presentation: Sharing Experiences of Running Educational Youth Camps
Presenter: Ambika Jain
Towards Ahimsa is a volunteer-run, nonprofit organization that runs overnight camps for youth aged 9-17, focusing on the philosophy of ahimsa (nonviolence) and its application in daily life as it affects our relationships with animals, humans, and Earth. Since 2011, the camps have attracted a diverse group of 100+ youth each summer. This session will provide: an overview of Towards Ahimsa's curriculum and approach to engage youth; the challenges and successes in running an educational camp as relevant to teaching in schools; a review of Towards Ahimsa's experience in establishing and maintaining a volunteer-run nonprofit organization.
Session: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Age Level: Pre-K, K-Gr.12, Post-secondary
Presentation: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion For Students and Staff Who Protect Animals
Presenter: Nandita Bajaj
It seems that the dominant narrative in relation to animals in educational institutions is that of exploitation - for example through our food serving practices, which tends to be heavily meat and dairy based and through the practice of procuring and killing animals in the practice of dissection. Such practices can be inherently exclusionary for students and staff who believe in animal protection for ethical and/or religious reasons. In this session, Nandita will share her experiences as a teacher and school administrator, as well as important takeaways from working with her students through the Animal Justice Club. She will explore not only the challenges but also highlight a number of successful initiatives that honor the pillars of diversity, equity, and inclusion for all members of the school community.
Presentation: The Constitutional Protection of Ethical Veganism
Presenter: Jodi Lazare
This presentation will explain my research into the idea that ethical veganism should be protected by the constitutional guarantee of freedom of conscience. Where students and educators are concerned, this would guarantee that ethical veganism is treated in the same way as religious beliefs, in terms of student accommodations regarding things like dissection and food. Moreover, in the context of the current push to recognize and accommodate equity, diversity, and inclusion in schools and workplaces, it is worth exploring whether ethical vegans merit the kinds of protections historically reserved for underrepresented and/or marginalized groups.
Age Level: Pre-K, K-Gr.12, Post-secondary
Presentation: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion For Students and Staff Who Protect Animals
Presenter: Nandita Bajaj
It seems that the dominant narrative in relation to animals in educational institutions is that of exploitation - for example through our food serving practices, which tends to be heavily meat and dairy based and through the practice of procuring and killing animals in the practice of dissection. Such practices can be inherently exclusionary for students and staff who believe in animal protection for ethical and/or religious reasons. In this session, Nandita will share her experiences as a teacher and school administrator, as well as important takeaways from working with her students through the Animal Justice Club. She will explore not only the challenges but also highlight a number of successful initiatives that honor the pillars of diversity, equity, and inclusion for all members of the school community.
Presentation: The Constitutional Protection of Ethical Veganism
Presenter: Jodi Lazare
This presentation will explain my research into the idea that ethical veganism should be protected by the constitutional guarantee of freedom of conscience. Where students and educators are concerned, this would guarantee that ethical veganism is treated in the same way as religious beliefs, in terms of student accommodations regarding things like dissection and food. Moreover, in the context of the current push to recognize and accommodate equity, diversity, and inclusion in schools and workplaces, it is worth exploring whether ethical vegans merit the kinds of protections historically reserved for underrepresented and/or marginalized groups.
Session: Using Storytime and Animal Projects to Cultivate Compassion
Age Level: K-Gr.6
Presentation: Cultivating Compassion With Storytime
Presenter: Brigitte Ruel
This session aims to give educators and librarians an overview of some of the incredible picture book and chapter book selections available that will grow not only compassion but a deeper understanding of animal sentience in our students. After going over book selections, I can talk about some of the ways to incorporate them into themed storytimes (for example, animal communication, animal rescue, specific animals.) And then discuss the way one might deal with negative feedback from parents or students who don't agree with some of the messages of the books.
Presentation: Kindergarten Animal/Insect/Reptile Study
Presenter: Eleanor Norman
Our "Animal/Insect/Reptile Study" has been a big hit in Kindergarten. Students share knowledge in front of a group (build confidence), find commonalities (students like the same animal), classify and sort groups (e.g. different types of cats, creatures that move at fast speeds, etc.), gain an appreciation for animal/insect/reptiles (What do we learn from them?), develop speaking, listening, reading and writing skills, and gain an understanding of where to get information. I will explain how to level the expectations to ensure that every student is successful. Task: The student will bring anywhere from 1-5 pieces of information about their chosen animal to share with the class. The ideas are limitless, however, this is meant to be a MANAGEABLE and FUN learning experience for families.
Age Level: K-Gr.6
Presentation: Cultivating Compassion With Storytime
Presenter: Brigitte Ruel
This session aims to give educators and librarians an overview of some of the incredible picture book and chapter book selections available that will grow not only compassion but a deeper understanding of animal sentience in our students. After going over book selections, I can talk about some of the ways to incorporate them into themed storytimes (for example, animal communication, animal rescue, specific animals.) And then discuss the way one might deal with negative feedback from parents or students who don't agree with some of the messages of the books.
Presentation: Kindergarten Animal/Insect/Reptile Study
Presenter: Eleanor Norman
Our "Animal/Insect/Reptile Study" has been a big hit in Kindergarten. Students share knowledge in front of a group (build confidence), find commonalities (students like the same animal), classify and sort groups (e.g. different types of cats, creatures that move at fast speeds, etc.), gain an appreciation for animal/insect/reptiles (What do we learn from them?), develop speaking, listening, reading and writing skills, and gain an understanding of where to get information. I will explain how to level the expectations to ensure that every student is successful. Task: The student will bring anywhere from 1-5 pieces of information about their chosen animal to share with the class. The ideas are limitless, however, this is meant to be a MANAGEABLE and FUN learning experience for families.
Session: Creative Ways to Incorporate Animal Issues into High School Courses
Age Level: Gr.9-12
Presentation: Connecting Animal Issues to Courses Where They Have Traditionally Been Ignored
Presenters: Isabella Liu, Charlotte Speilman
Are there animal issues in inorganic Chemistry? Economics? History? Not all of our subjects have traditionally held space for discussion of animals or animal welfare. This panel will explore ways in which social sciences and inorganic sciences can authentically draw connections to animal issues. Examples from Economics and Chemistry courses will be explored.
Presentation: Cultivating Animal Welfare in the High School Curriculum
Presenter: Kathy Benjamin
Within the context of existing initiatives towards equity and environmental consciousness in our school system, there exists ample opportunity to create branches of curriculum that foster sensibility to the moral and ethical treatment of all sentient beings inhabiting the earth. This session is intended to highlight opportunities across many subject areas designed to cultivate the leadership, innovation, advocacy, business opportunities, and social reform needed to make life for animals on this planet safe and respected.
Age Level: Gr.9-12
Presentation: Connecting Animal Issues to Courses Where They Have Traditionally Been Ignored
Presenters: Isabella Liu, Charlotte Speilman
Are there animal issues in inorganic Chemistry? Economics? History? Not all of our subjects have traditionally held space for discussion of animals or animal welfare. This panel will explore ways in which social sciences and inorganic sciences can authentically draw connections to animal issues. Examples from Economics and Chemistry courses will be explored.
Presentation: Cultivating Animal Welfare in the High School Curriculum
Presenter: Kathy Benjamin
Within the context of existing initiatives towards equity and environmental consciousness in our school system, there exists ample opportunity to create branches of curriculum that foster sensibility to the moral and ethical treatment of all sentient beings inhabiting the earth. This session is intended to highlight opportunities across many subject areas designed to cultivate the leadership, innovation, advocacy, business opportunities, and social reform needed to make life for animals on this planet safe and respected.
Session: The MEd Course 'Animals in Education'
Age Level: Pre-K, K-Gr.12, Post-secondary
Presentation: Teaching and Learning in the MEd Course 'Animals in Education'
Presenters: Gail Kuhl, Jan Oakley, Meneka Repka, Connie Russell
The MEd course, 'Animals in Education' has been taught in the Faculty of Education at Lakehead University since 2016. An asynchronous online course, it has been very popular, typically hitting its enrolment cap even when offered twice per year. Most students are practicing teachers. We draw on insights from critical animal studies, human-animal studies, posthumanism, ecofeminism, environmental philosophy, Indigenous perspectives, and intersectionality studies as well as humane education, interspecies education, common world pedagogies, and environmental education to explore the explicit and hidden curriculum that influences human/animal relations. We explore topics such as learning from and with companion animals, working animals, and common wild animals; dissection; classroom pets and animals used in reading programs or therapeutically; food animals; animals encountered in zoos, aquariums, or on wildlife tours; and animals in children’s literature and media such as films, news, and advertising. After describing the course, we will share some challenges and insights.
Age Level: Pre-K, K-Gr.12, Post-secondary
Presentation: Teaching and Learning in the MEd Course 'Animals in Education'
Presenters: Gail Kuhl, Jan Oakley, Meneka Repka, Connie Russell
The MEd course, 'Animals in Education' has been taught in the Faculty of Education at Lakehead University since 2016. An asynchronous online course, it has been very popular, typically hitting its enrolment cap even when offered twice per year. Most students are practicing teachers. We draw on insights from critical animal studies, human-animal studies, posthumanism, ecofeminism, environmental philosophy, Indigenous perspectives, and intersectionality studies as well as humane education, interspecies education, common world pedagogies, and environmental education to explore the explicit and hidden curriculum that influences human/animal relations. We explore topics such as learning from and with companion animals, working animals, and common wild animals; dissection; classroom pets and animals used in reading programs or therapeutically; food animals; animals encountered in zoos, aquariums, or on wildlife tours; and animals in children’s literature and media such as films, news, and advertising. After describing the course, we will share some challenges and insights.
Session: The Local and Global Effects of Animal Agriculture
Age Level: Gr.7-12
Presentation: Foodprints - Examining the Environmental Impact of Our Food Choices
Presenter: Harveen Sandhu
We will dive into the local and global environmental harms caused by animal exploitation - particularly factory farms. In connection to this: the unjust irony of malnutrition and poverty in the world compared to the amount of resources it takes to feed animals for slaughter. We will also look at what food waste costs us annually in Canada and how much of that food is meat and animal products.
Presentation: Reimagining Agriculture in Education
Presenter: Allison Penner
The session will be focused on discussing agricultural education and the ways in which it can improved. As students are not taught to think of food as a system with deep interconnections in global sectors and priorities, they are not well positioned to understand the effects of their choice of diet and food management practices that cause massive inefficiencies resulting in significant real-world harm. The presentation will provide pathways into discussing the subject and an introduction to the tools we have available for educators. It will be interactive where possible.
Age Level: Gr.7-12
Presentation: Foodprints - Examining the Environmental Impact of Our Food Choices
Presenter: Harveen Sandhu
We will dive into the local and global environmental harms caused by animal exploitation - particularly factory farms. In connection to this: the unjust irony of malnutrition and poverty in the world compared to the amount of resources it takes to feed animals for slaughter. We will also look at what food waste costs us annually in Canada and how much of that food is meat and animal products.
Presentation: Reimagining Agriculture in Education
Presenter: Allison Penner
The session will be focused on discussing agricultural education and the ways in which it can improved. As students are not taught to think of food as a system with deep interconnections in global sectors and priorities, they are not well positioned to understand the effects of their choice of diet and food management practices that cause massive inefficiencies resulting in significant real-world harm. The presentation will provide pathways into discussing the subject and an introduction to the tools we have available for educators. It will be interactive where possible.
Session: Critical Animal Studies and Pedagogy
Age Level: Gr.9-12, Post-secondary
Presentation: Critical Animal Pedagogy and the Animal-Other in the Classroom
Presenter: Omar Bachour
Although the critical pedagogy developed by Paulo Freire in *Pedagogy of the Oppressed* has been criticized for its speciesism, its narrow focus on class, ‘dialogue’ and ‘humanization’, it has long since been broadened and developed by activists and theorists to combat other forms domination such as racism, sexism, and human supremacism in the form of a critical animal pedagogy (CAP). I am interested in how incorporating critical animal pedagogy in the classroom and curriculum can (i) contribute to a break or rupture in the constituents of oppression identified by Freire—conquest, division, manipulation, cultural invasion—that sustain existing systems of animal exploitation, and (ii) prefigure or bring about a more just human-animal community of equals based on collaboration, union, organization, and multi-species cultural synthesis.
Presentation: Ontario Science Curriculum and Environmental Education - A Critical Examination of the Construction of the Animal
Presenters: Alaina Interisano, Alyssa Racco
Our presentation will examine and interrogate how animals are constructed and presented in Ontario curriculum, and used in education as tools of learning, in ways that contradict the environmental education initiatives that are increasingly propagated by the Ontario Ministry of Education throughout secondary curriculum. Specifically, we will examine how science education fails to make sense of the environmental education curriculum. An example of this contradiction can be seen through the language used in high school science curriculum, that aims to foster a “respect for living things and the environment” while simultaneously including options for the dissection of animal bodies (despite the noted availability of non-animal alternative computer simulated models). This presentation will consider how critical animal studies (CAS) has the potential to nourish capacities for the critical exploration of power relations, and organization for activism, through pedagogical reforms in youth education today.
Age Level: Gr.9-12, Post-secondary
Presentation: Critical Animal Pedagogy and the Animal-Other in the Classroom
Presenter: Omar Bachour
Although the critical pedagogy developed by Paulo Freire in *Pedagogy of the Oppressed* has been criticized for its speciesism, its narrow focus on class, ‘dialogue’ and ‘humanization’, it has long since been broadened and developed by activists and theorists to combat other forms domination such as racism, sexism, and human supremacism in the form of a critical animal pedagogy (CAP). I am interested in how incorporating critical animal pedagogy in the classroom and curriculum can (i) contribute to a break or rupture in the constituents of oppression identified by Freire—conquest, division, manipulation, cultural invasion—that sustain existing systems of animal exploitation, and (ii) prefigure or bring about a more just human-animal community of equals based on collaboration, union, organization, and multi-species cultural synthesis.
Presentation: Ontario Science Curriculum and Environmental Education - A Critical Examination of the Construction of the Animal
Presenters: Alaina Interisano, Alyssa Racco
Our presentation will examine and interrogate how animals are constructed and presented in Ontario curriculum, and used in education as tools of learning, in ways that contradict the environmental education initiatives that are increasingly propagated by the Ontario Ministry of Education throughout secondary curriculum. Specifically, we will examine how science education fails to make sense of the environmental education curriculum. An example of this contradiction can be seen through the language used in high school science curriculum, that aims to foster a “respect for living things and the environment” while simultaneously including options for the dissection of animal bodies (despite the noted availability of non-animal alternative computer simulated models). This presentation will consider how critical animal studies (CAS) has the potential to nourish capacities for the critical exploration of power relations, and organization for activism, through pedagogical reforms in youth education today.
Session: Animal Advocacy School Clubs
Age Level: Gr.7-12
Presentation: Empowering Youth Through School Clubs
Presenters: Victoria Barger, Mary-Chris Staples
Veg Student Alliance (vegstudentalliance.org) is a community of plant-forward teens (ages 13-18) and their veg-curious peers who meet weekly to build community, learn leadership and communication skills, hear from guest speakers, host educational outreach events, and support each other on their veg journey. VSA is open to teens in Canada and the United States at no cost. Meetings are held virtually, with plans to expand to both virtual and in-person sessions in the Fall 2021. We plan to train and provide resources for teachers to start up clubs for their schools. Our mission is to support youth and empower them with the skills needed to advocate for themeselves and take initiative on behalf of animals, climate change, the environment, and human health. Some of our students will join us at this session to talk about their experiences and their latest initiative to include nonhuman animal issues in school curricula.
Age Level: Gr.7-12
Presentation: Empowering Youth Through School Clubs
Presenters: Victoria Barger, Mary-Chris Staples
Veg Student Alliance (vegstudentalliance.org) is a community of plant-forward teens (ages 13-18) and their veg-curious peers who meet weekly to build community, learn leadership and communication skills, hear from guest speakers, host educational outreach events, and support each other on their veg journey. VSA is open to teens in Canada and the United States at no cost. Meetings are held virtually, with plans to expand to both virtual and in-person sessions in the Fall 2021. We plan to train and provide resources for teachers to start up clubs for their schools. Our mission is to support youth and empower them with the skills needed to advocate for themeselves and take initiative on behalf of animals, climate change, the environment, and human health. Some of our students will join us at this session to talk about their experiences and their latest initiative to include nonhuman animal issues in school curricula.
Session: Exploring Animal Protection In Multiple Subjects Such as English Language Arts
Age Level: K-Gr.12
Presentation: Engaging with Animal Voices in English Language Arts Education
Presenter: John Drew
At early educational levels, children are often exposed to idealized representations of farms and anthropomorphized animals. The “silencing” of animals becomes increasingly evident at higher grade levels and is most conspicuous in the sciences. However, English Language Arts (ELA) curricula contributes to the broader educational exclusion of animals, often by erasing animals even in their very presence. In this presentation, I explore the possibilities that exist for ethically engaged teachers. Two enduring ELA texts, E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web and George Orwell’s Animal Farm are often pedagogically appropriated to affirm humancentric concerns while ignoring the animal struggles depicted therein. I examine the potential for re-claiming the animal perspectives voiced in these iconic texts to advance a literary pedagogy that conceptualizes animals as living beings, social subjects, agents, friends, and community members.
Presentation: Implementing Animal Rights Into Your Everyday Lessons
Presenter: John Graber
I will discuss some key steps to getting animal rights into your daily lessons (regardless of the subjects you teach). I will speak about how I have successfully incorporated animal rights into my middle school classes, but most importantly I want the participants in my workshop to walk away with their own classroom lessons that incorporate messages of animal rights.
Age Level: K-Gr.12
Presentation: Engaging with Animal Voices in English Language Arts Education
Presenter: John Drew
At early educational levels, children are often exposed to idealized representations of farms and anthropomorphized animals. The “silencing” of animals becomes increasingly evident at higher grade levels and is most conspicuous in the sciences. However, English Language Arts (ELA) curricula contributes to the broader educational exclusion of animals, often by erasing animals even in their very presence. In this presentation, I explore the possibilities that exist for ethically engaged teachers. Two enduring ELA texts, E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web and George Orwell’s Animal Farm are often pedagogically appropriated to affirm humancentric concerns while ignoring the animal struggles depicted therein. I examine the potential for re-claiming the animal perspectives voiced in these iconic texts to advance a literary pedagogy that conceptualizes animals as living beings, social subjects, agents, friends, and community members.
Presentation: Implementing Animal Rights Into Your Everyday Lessons
Presenter: John Graber
I will discuss some key steps to getting animal rights into your daily lessons (regardless of the subjects you teach). I will speak about how I have successfully incorporated animal rights into my middle school classes, but most importantly I want the participants in my workshop to walk away with their own classroom lessons that incorporate messages of animal rights.
Session: Educating About Trans-Species Social Justice
Age Level: Gr.9-12, Post-secondary
Presentation: Educating About Trans-Species Social Justice in Social Work and Sociology
Presenters: Atsuko Matsuoka, John Sorenson
In this presentation, we discuss our teaching and writing in the fields of social work and sociology, respectively, and how this is shaped by our concern for trans-species social justice (TSSJ). The term TSSJ refers to the effort to recognize non-human animals as subjects of justice. We take a Critical Animal Studies approach, informed by the animal rights movement and ecofeminism. Our presentation discusses how we have applied these concerns to various issues in our publications and university course teaching, in the hope that those in other education systems also consider incorporating these ideas in their teaching.
Age Level: Gr.9-12, Post-secondary
Presentation: Educating About Trans-Species Social Justice in Social Work and Sociology
Presenters: Atsuko Matsuoka, John Sorenson
In this presentation, we discuss our teaching and writing in the fields of social work and sociology, respectively, and how this is shaped by our concern for trans-species social justice (TSSJ). The term TSSJ refers to the effort to recognize non-human animals as subjects of justice. We take a Critical Animal Studies approach, informed by the animal rights movement and ecofeminism. Our presentation discusses how we have applied these concerns to various issues in our publications and university course teaching, in the hope that those in other education systems also consider incorporating these ideas in their teaching.
Session: Humane Education Resources from Non-Profit Organizations
Age Level: Pre-K, K-Gr.6
Presentation: AnimalSmart and the Essential Role of Humane Education in Preparing Our Future Leaders
Presenters: Laura Fanthome, Amanda McKibbon
In a world facing major issues related to human, animal and environmental ethics children must be provided opportunities to develop skills to think critically and creatively about these matters. As children grow into positions of leadership, we want them to arrive with a sense of connection to the world and their place in it and to feel empowered to take action that considers the priorities of all living things. This seems like a big job – how do we get there from here? Enter humane education! This presentation will focus on the strengths of humane education in preparing students to make decisions with compassion in mind. AnimalSmart™, a humane education program of the Ontario SPCA will be explored as a powerful tool for bringing humane education into virtual and in-person learning settings to not only foster compassion in our youth, but to prepare our future leaders to make decisions that take into consideration the well-being of all living things.
Presentation: Promoting Empathy & Motivating Students with TeachKind
Presenters: Lisbet Chiriboga, Megan Snyder
TeachKind wants to help educators encourage students to build character through compassion for animals. In this presentation, we cover the three main reasons for incorporating compassion for animals into the curriculum: pro-social behavior, violence prevention, and academic motivation. Issues relating to animals need to be thoughtfully included in classroom conversations, because we have the perfect opportunity to capitalize on the innate affection that children have for animals as a vehicle for encouraging character development. And we can do this without sacrificing instructional time in the classroom. Teaching kindness to animals at a young age is an effective way to combat the epidemic of youth violence and bullying. Fostering children’s empathy for animals leads to more empathic behavior toward their peers. But how can you do this in your classroom? Join us to learn more about our free resources and get step-by-step guidance!
Age Level: Pre-K, K-Gr.6
Presentation: AnimalSmart and the Essential Role of Humane Education in Preparing Our Future Leaders
Presenters: Laura Fanthome, Amanda McKibbon
In a world facing major issues related to human, animal and environmental ethics children must be provided opportunities to develop skills to think critically and creatively about these matters. As children grow into positions of leadership, we want them to arrive with a sense of connection to the world and their place in it and to feel empowered to take action that considers the priorities of all living things. This seems like a big job – how do we get there from here? Enter humane education! This presentation will focus on the strengths of humane education in preparing students to make decisions with compassion in mind. AnimalSmart™, a humane education program of the Ontario SPCA will be explored as a powerful tool for bringing humane education into virtual and in-person learning settings to not only foster compassion in our youth, but to prepare our future leaders to make decisions that take into consideration the well-being of all living things.
Presentation: Promoting Empathy & Motivating Students with TeachKind
Presenters: Lisbet Chiriboga, Megan Snyder
TeachKind wants to help educators encourage students to build character through compassion for animals. In this presentation, we cover the three main reasons for incorporating compassion for animals into the curriculum: pro-social behavior, violence prevention, and academic motivation. Issues relating to animals need to be thoughtfully included in classroom conversations, because we have the perfect opportunity to capitalize on the innate affection that children have for animals as a vehicle for encouraging character development. And we can do this without sacrificing instructional time in the classroom. Teaching kindness to animals at a young age is an effective way to combat the epidemic of youth violence and bullying. Fostering children’s empathy for animals leads to more empathic behavior toward their peers. But how can you do this in your classroom? Join us to learn more about our free resources and get step-by-step guidance!
Session: Fostering Empathy and Critically Compassionate Thinking
Age Level: Pre-K, K-Gr.12, Post-secondary
Presentation: AnimalTales - Using Stories to Foster Empathy
Presenter: Melissa Logan
Research suggests that literature is an effective vehicle for fostering empathy – a main objective of humane education. Books featuring animals are intrinsically appealing to young people, and classrooms provide opportunities to explore our relationship to other species and the environment. To increase the likelihood that affective learning will lead to behavioural shifts, students need opportunities to reflect upon and respond to literature in meaningful ways. As such, the Alberta SPCA created a free book program for elementary teachers aimed at fostering empathy and positively impacting student perceptions about animals. The program was externally evaluated to examine perceptions and learning in grade 2 and 5 classrooms across Alberta. This session will include findings from this research and demonstrate how literature based programs can encourage humane attitudes and prosocial behaviour. We will also explore how to select humane-themed books and encourage students to critically think about how animals are portrayed in media.
Presentation: Critically Compassionate Thinking
Presenter: Natalie Thomas
Critical thinking and empathy are common skills and traits for humane educators to encourage in curriculum created for children and adolescents with the aim of increasing a sense of interconnectedness and care for animals, the environment and other humans. However, this can pose challenges when we consider how often ‘reason’ and ‘emotion’ are pitted against one another. To be analytically-minded is often perceived to be lacking in emotion, and to be caring is often perceived to be irrational or ‘fluffy’, especially among children and adolescents. In this presentation, I will outline an ideal of critically compassionate thinking that develops and encourages both critical thinking and compassionate thinking and feeling that brings positive improvements to an individual’s mental health and resiliency as well as an increased ability to perceive the interconnectedness of animals, nature and other humans.
Age Level: Pre-K, K-Gr.12, Post-secondary
Presentation: AnimalTales - Using Stories to Foster Empathy
Presenter: Melissa Logan
Research suggests that literature is an effective vehicle for fostering empathy – a main objective of humane education. Books featuring animals are intrinsically appealing to young people, and classrooms provide opportunities to explore our relationship to other species and the environment. To increase the likelihood that affective learning will lead to behavioural shifts, students need opportunities to reflect upon and respond to literature in meaningful ways. As such, the Alberta SPCA created a free book program for elementary teachers aimed at fostering empathy and positively impacting student perceptions about animals. The program was externally evaluated to examine perceptions and learning in grade 2 and 5 classrooms across Alberta. This session will include findings from this research and demonstrate how literature based programs can encourage humane attitudes and prosocial behaviour. We will also explore how to select humane-themed books and encourage students to critically think about how animals are portrayed in media.
Presentation: Critically Compassionate Thinking
Presenter: Natalie Thomas
Critical thinking and empathy are common skills and traits for humane educators to encourage in curriculum created for children and adolescents with the aim of increasing a sense of interconnectedness and care for animals, the environment and other humans. However, this can pose challenges when we consider how often ‘reason’ and ‘emotion’ are pitted against one another. To be analytically-minded is often perceived to be lacking in emotion, and to be caring is often perceived to be irrational or ‘fluffy’, especially among children and adolescents. In this presentation, I will outline an ideal of critically compassionate thinking that develops and encourages both critical thinking and compassionate thinking and feeling that brings positive improvements to an individual’s mental health and resiliency as well as an increased ability to perceive the interconnectedness of animals, nature and other humans.
Session: Community Activists in the Classroom
Age Level: Gr.7-12
Presentation: Creating Change Makers
Presenters: Kale Black, Lori Croonen, Jen Smolenaars
The "Creating Change-Makers" unit guides young people to focus on intersectionality and social justice, with representation through the voices of community activists. Classroom teacher Jen Smolenaars strives to centre student passions and create windows to the lived experiences of humans and animals with whom we share this planet. Lori Croonen is an Animal Rights Activist who has heard many common statements from students that do not align with the reality of how animals are used in the animal agriculture industries. Lori helps students to explore misconceptions they have and replace them with some industry truths in a way that makes them curious to do their own research to learn more. Kale Black is an inspiring speaker with a passion for helping others realize their place in the world. His experience in the environmental sector and as a meditation facilitator helps him to demonstrate the connection between healthy humans and a healthy planet.
Age Level: Gr.7-12
Presentation: Creating Change Makers
Presenters: Kale Black, Lori Croonen, Jen Smolenaars
The "Creating Change-Makers" unit guides young people to focus on intersectionality and social justice, with representation through the voices of community activists. Classroom teacher Jen Smolenaars strives to centre student passions and create windows to the lived experiences of humans and animals with whom we share this planet. Lori Croonen is an Animal Rights Activist who has heard many common statements from students that do not align with the reality of how animals are used in the animal agriculture industries. Lori helps students to explore misconceptions they have and replace them with some industry truths in a way that makes them curious to do their own research to learn more. Kale Black is an inspiring speaker with a passion for helping others realize their place in the world. His experience in the environmental sector and as a meditation facilitator helps him to demonstrate the connection between healthy humans and a healthy planet.