Ethical Approval for the use of animals in research and teaching in schools and early childhood centres

This website gives educators legal, ethical and practical information on the use of small animals for research and teaching in early childhood education centres and schools. Any activity in schools and early childhood centres in which a live animal [mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish (bony or cartilagineous), octopus, squid, crab (including half crab), lobster, crayfish (including freshwater crayfish), mammalian, avian or reptilian foetus in the last half of gestation or development, or marsupial pouched young as defined in the Animal Welfare Act 1999] is used for teaching or research requires ethical approval.

In this resource the below can be found:

The NZASE Code of ethical conduct for the use of animals in research and teaching in schools
and early childhood centres.

The legal definition of animals according to the Animal Welfare Act 1999.

Guidelines to what types of activity will require ethical approval.

Application forms for ethical approval for individual student activities and class based activities.

Guidelines and examples of applications.

The NZASE holds a Code of ethical conduct for the use of animals in teaching and research in early childhood centres and schools. The NZASE Ethics Committee is administered by the Royal Society of New Zealand and can be contacted at animalethicscommittee@rsnz.org

This draft material has been produced by the NZ Association of Science Educators under contract to the Ministry of Education. It is now available for use and guidance of teachers and students, and the NZASE would appreciate any comments or further suggestions from users. Please email such comment to animalethicscommittee@rsnz.org