About the
Teach Life Program
The Teach Life Toolkit offers educators a variety of engaging multimedia resources that they can use at no-cost in their Health, Drivers’ Education, or Science classrooms to teach their students about organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
In most U.S. states, high school students age 16 and older are asked to register as an organ and tissue donor when they receive their driver’s license or learner’s permit. For the most part, this will be one of the first major decisions they will make about their own bodies.
Our materials resonate with high school students because the realistic, clinical approach to organ donation education gives them the tools to make an informed decision. Our philosophy is that if you expose young adults to the facts and science about donation and transplantation, they will be prepared when they’re asked if they want to register.
Types of Materials and Resources Available
-Educational Documentary Films
-Recipient Story Videos
-Assessments for Videos
-Gamification Activities
-Classroom Activities
-Fact Sheets / Handouts
-Discussion Questions
-Webquests
-Suggested Lesson Plans
-Teacher Guides
-One-on-One Teacher Consultation
Top Reasons to Teach Teens About Donation
INSTILL FACTS,
NOT FEARS
Young people typically learn about the sensitive subject of organ donation either from conversations with friends or through social and traditional media. This often results in myths being passed along. Classroom education is the key to ensuring they make decisions in a safe environment and based on facts—not fears.
MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION
In many states 16- and 17-year-olds are being asked if they want to register to be a donor when they get their driver’s license. As one of the first major decisions they get to make about their own bodies, it should be an informed and educated one.
HELP STUDENTS RELATE
Many students have been touched by donation and transplantation in some way, while others think the subject is far removed from them. Creating a safe space to talk about it in the classroom gives students an opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings by starting a conversation about this life-saving topic.
HELP FAMILIES UNDERSTAND
Many students don’t know how to speak with their parents or guardians about this sensitive topic, so helping them approach that conversation factually so they can communicate their decision on this important subject can ultimately help families if a tragic circumstance were to happen.
CONNECT TO OTHER SUBJECTS
Many aspects of donation and transplantation can be connected to other health and science subject matter —not only to the clinical, anatomical and scientific topics, but particularly to the physical, mental and emotional well-being of students.