News

AALAS Foundation Wins ASAE’S Associations Advance America Award of Excellence

The AALAS Foundation is one of only 13 organizations nationally to receive an Award of Excellence in the first round of the 2010 Associations Advance America (AAA) Awards program, a competition sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) & The Center for Association Leadership, Washington, D.C.

The AALAS Foundation earned the prestigious award for developing the Community Animal Research Environment (CARE), a series of games in the virtual community of Whyville that educates young people how animals help scientists in research – and how research, in turn, benefits animals.

“Whyville is a vibrant, kid-safe website that teaches kids about science in a fun, incredibly engaging manner,” said AALAS Foundation Executive Director Dr. Ann Turner. “Partnering with Whyville enabled us to create three customized, interactive games to explain how biomedical research improves the quality of life of people and animals.”

Turner said it’s important to find innovative ways to keep kids interested in science because the health of biomedical research tomorrow depends on improved science preparation of our students today.

“Research indicates that many students, especially girls, lose interest in science as they transition from elementary school to middle school,” said Turner. “Whyville is a powerful, critically acclaimed tool we are using to inspire today’s students to become tomorrow’s laboratory animal science professionals.”

Now in its 20th year, the prestigious Associations Advance America (AAA) Awards program recognizes associations that propel America forward – with innovative projects in education, skills training, business and social innovation, knowledge creation, citizenship, and community service.

“The AALAS Foundation’s program embodies the spirit of the Associations Advance America campaign. It is an honor and to showcase this activity as an example of the many contributions associations are making to advance American society,” said Associations Advance America (AAA) Committee Chair Ping Wei, director of educational opportunities for the American Society of Civil Engineers.

The CARE program is now in the running to receive a Summit Award, ASAE & The Center’s top recognition for association programs, to be presented in ceremonies at AWAE’s 11th Annual Summit Awards Dinner at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC, on September 29.

To learn more about the Community Animal Research Environment, please visit the AALAS Foundation Whyville information page.

We would like thank our generous sponsors who contributed to our success at the AALAS National Meeting.

Charles River: Appreciation Reception and Live Auction

Tecniplast: Welcome Reception

Allentown: 3rd Annual Charitable Open House

Pfizer: 15th Annual AREA Program

Steris: 20th Annual 5K Run/Walk

Instech Solomon: Dr. Tom Nolan, Auctioneer

AALAS Foundation Has Successful National Meeting

The AALAS Foundation is pleased to announce that the fund raising events at the 60th Annual AALAS National Meeting in Denver generated $42,925 to support the Foundation’s educational outreach efforts!

Foundation fund raising proceeds increased 32.7% in 2009 thanks to the generous support of AALAS members at events like the Silent and Live Auction, 20th Annual Steris 5k Run, 3rd Annual Allentown Charitable Open House, and Tecniplast Welcome Reception!

Thank you to all those who volunteered their time at the Foundation booth, participated in the AREA program, made a contribution to the Foundation, donated an item to the auction, and bid on auction items.

Your support of the Foundation enables us continue our efforts to educate the public about the essential role of animals in research and inform future leaders about the wealth of career opportunities in laboratory animal science.

15th Annual AREA Program a Success

The Animal Research Education & Awareness (AREA) Program celebrated its 15th anniversary with another successful program November 10 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.

“My students and I learned a lot. I was especially thrilled to make some good contacts and gain some excellent classroom resources. Come back to Denver every year!”—Teacher, Bollman Technical Education Center

87 students and teachers from five Denver area high schools participated in the daylong event designed to teach future leaders how animals help scientists in research—and how research, in turn, benefits animals.

The program began with a presentation from volunteers Dr. Hugh Harroff, Dr. Cindy Hoorn, and Kim Hildreth about the importance of animals in research and the need for bright young students to pursue careers in laboratory animal science.

“The program was extremely informative. I learned that animals are needed in research to help our family and friends with cancer, diabetes, and other diseases.”—AREA Program participant

Students were then led through the convention exhibit hall by volunteers, where they answered questions submitted from participating vendors and learned more about the vast array of careers in laboratory animal science.

The program concluded with a review of a complimentary lunch, a review of expedition findings, and a student-led Q&A session.

Thank you to all the exhibitors who participated by submitting questions for the AREA exam, donating items for the AREA goodie bags, and leading students on tours of the exhibit hall.

Special thanks goes out to Pfizer for their financial sponsorship of the event and Dr. Hugh Harroff, Dr. Cindy Hoorn, and Kim Hildreth for leading the educational program and panel discussion.

To volunteer for the 2010 AREA Program in Atlanta, please contact the AALAS Foundation office at 901-754-8620 or via email at foundation@aalas.org.

Foundation Launches Frogs DVD for High School Students

The AALAS Foundation is pleased to announce that our newest public outreach project, "Frogs: A Comprehensive Course for High School Students," is now available for free from the AALAS Bookstore.

This interactive DVD teaches high school students about the biology, physiological adaptations, anatomy, evolution, and ecology of frog and toad species in the United States. It also describes characteristics that make this group an important environmental sentry, classroom study subject, and biomedical research animal model.

Developed by Clemson University professor Dr. Ed Pivorun, the DVD is distributed to students and teachers through conventions like the National Science Teachers Association, National Association of Biology Teachers, and Future Farmers of America.

Future improvements include incorporating labs into the DVD and posting the contents of the DVD on the Kids 4 Research website to increase exposure to this outstanding educational resource.

AALAS Foundation Announces CARE Challenge Winners

The following branches made financial and/or auction donations to the AALAS Foundation as part of the CARE Challenge:

Appalachian
Arizona
Central Ohio
Chicago
Delaware Valley
Indiana
Iowa
Kentucky
Metro New York
Mile High
Minnesota
New Jersey
Northern California
Oregon
Research Triangle
Southern New England
Southern Wisconsin
Texas
Three Rivers
San Diego

The AALAS Foundation is pleased to announce the Palms to Pines branch and Delaware Valley branch as the winners of the CARE Challenge.

The CARE Challenge was a two-pronged competition amongst AALAS branches held in September and October to raise awareness and generate support for the Foundation’s Community Animal Research Environment (CARE), a series of educational games in Whyville.

In the first part of the CARE Challenge, branches battled to see how many members, friends, and family they could get to view the CARE PowerPoint presentation and complete the CARE Challenge survey. Overall, 783 total votes were cast in the CARE Challenge Survey, and 82% of AALAS Branches tallied at least one vote in the competition!

The Delaware Valley branch stormed into the lead with one week remaining in the competition and held off late rallies from the Central Ohio branch and Indiana branch to win the Building Awareness portion of the CARE Challenge. Congratulations Delaware Valley branch!

Branches also competed, based on membership size, to see who could generate the most financial support, including auction donations, for the AALAS Foundation.

The Palms to Pines, Indiana, Southern California, and Delaware Valley branches each made generous donations to the Foundation. A number of other branches kindly donated auction items.

In the end, the Palms to Pines branch generated the most points to win the Generating Support portion of the CARE Challenge! Way to go, Palms to Pines!

The AALAS Foundation would like to thank Bruce Kennedy of the Pines to Palms branch for coordinating the CARE Challenge.

We would also like to thank all the AALAS branches who participated in the CARE Challenge. The support of AALAS branches is crucial in our efforts to educate the public about the essential role of laboratory animals in research, education, and testing.

Your United Way Donation Can Support the AALAS Foundation—Choose #060730

Would you like your United Way (UW) donation to be used for public outreach and education about the importance of laboratory animal care and use? Wouldn’t we all? If you answered a resounding "yes," you can ensure that your UW contribution will support our mission. If your company or institution supports the UW through an employee giving campaign, just write on the designation form the AALAS Foundation’s United Way number, which is 060730 and the address, 9190 Crestwyn Hills Dr., Memphis, TN 38125-8538 The AALAS Foundation sincerely appreciates your contributions.

If you do not designate a specific charity for your donation, you inadvertently could be undermining our profession.

Did you know that if you do not designate a specific charity for your donation, you inadvertently could be undermining our profession? Your donations to the local United Way or Combined Federal campaigns could be going to groups opposed to laboratory animal-based research. Both of these umbrella campaigns automatically allocate some of the donations to smaller non-profit organizations and, unfortunately, some of these organizations are opposed to the appropriate use of laboratory animals. The AALAS Foundation is not automatically allocated some of your donation; rather you must designate the Foundation as your intended recipient.

Help us get out your message about quality animal care—don’t give your money to those working against our profession and the advancement of science. And, please pass this message to others at your institution or company who also regularly support the United Way or Combined Federal campaigns through employee giving programs.