03.04.2023

Book launch by 7th-grade students raises awareness about animals used in testing

By Brayan Felippe

As a conclusion to the International Baccalaureate’s Primary Years Programme (PYP), students Beatriz P., João B., Mariana M., and Marina O. researched the harm caused to animals used in product testing by companies. The PYP Exhibition represents the experience of planning, conducting, and sharing an investigation into a problem of interest, demonstrating the development of knowledge, skills, and attributes of the program.

As the culminating action of the process, the students decided to write a children’s book in the style of a comic book. Isabela, João’s mother, helped the students submit their proposal to the publishing house where she works – Fundação Educar – to make their son’s wish come true.

Teacher Daniel Dale and coordinators Amanda Boldarine and Mayara Terra met with the students to present the content of the work, the type of illustration, the creative process of the story, and the relationship with the Exhibition.

To seek more theoretical support and writing assistance, the students consulted a scientific expert, Carolina Catarino.

Fundação Educar started the project “Leia Comigo!” in 2000, which edits, publishes, and distributes children’s books with content that promotes values and seeks to awaken the child’s passion for books, encouraging reading and the pleasure of seeking knowledge. Through it, the children were able to launch the book “Charlie and the Research Club”.

Isabela highlights the importance of the Exhibition in children’s education. “Producing a book made the children think more about the topic. So it was a combination of situations that made this project special. The children’s perception that they are capable of writing a book at this age, and the school support by providing such environment, which makes it outstanding.”

Beatriz, João, Mariana, and Marina invited their classmates to attend and celebrate their work with a book-signing session at the Beacon amphitheater during their book launch.