January 2025 marks the opening of the fourth grant cycle for the BioLEAP Classroom Grant.
Designed to help reduce the number of animal dissections conducted in science classrooms, the grant offers teachers up to $1,000 to help purchase dissection replacement tools for anatomy labs. These tools not only offer a humane solution, but they also help engage more students in the sciences by catering to those who have objections to dissection—whether because of religion, morals, or the terrible smells from specimens and preservation chemicals.
Going Humane Helps the Budget, Too
Re-usable dissection replacement tools are also more cost-effective than single use preserved specimens in the long run, although the upfront cost can be a barrier for schools with tight budgets. The funds provided by the BioLEAP Classroom Grant help reduce or eliminate those barriers and provide valuable educational tools that can help students learn anatomy essentials for years to come.
The Movement Is Growing Across the Country
Since its inception, the BioLEAP Classroom Grant has been able to help 40 teachers from 19 states transform their classrooms and make the LEAP to humane dissection labs. Each year, the grant has grown in popularity, and this grant cycle the goal is to distribute awards to 25-30 teachers.
Feedback from past grantees proves that specimen-free anatomy labs can be exciting and educational for the students and easier to clean up for teachers. The goal is that one day schools themselves will provide the necessary funds to supply science classes with humane learning tools, but in the meantime, the BioLEAP Classroom Grant is open for applications and ready to get the ball rolling.