Inspiring the next generation through transplantation science
Transplantation Science is an educational curriculum designed to teach students about organ, eye, and tissue donation through hands-on learning experiences. As a former teacher and now a Transplantation Science Educator, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful the Transplantation Science program is for students and teachers alike.
When teens are asked about becoming donors while getting their first driver license, most have little understanding of how donation works. That’s where this free program makes a difference across Colorado and Wyoming. Students examine real, plastinated cornea samples, bone grafts and ligaments, and they hear heartfelt stories from donors, recipients and families. Our digital curriculum, offered in English and Spanish and delivered on iPads, brings complex medical concepts to life with interactive content and videos.
From my own teaching experience, I can say this program is a perfect anchor for any life science unit at the middle or high school level. Whether it’s introduced at the start, middle, or end of a lesson plan, it gives students a memorable, hands-on way to explore organ systems and inspires weeks of follow-up learning. It also helps counter the myths and misinformation that often circulate on social media.
What we teach has a real-world impact. One donor can save up to eight lives and heal many more through tissue donation. By helping students understand the science of transplantation, we prepare them to make informed, potentially life-saving decisions for their communities.
This past school year, we reached more than 13,200 students — a 37% increase from the year before. To learn more or request a Transplantation Science class, visit DonorAlliance.org.
Chris Loew, Louisville