CARE Challenge

The Community Animal Research Environment (CARE) is a biomedical research environment inside the virtual community of Whyville that teaches teens and pre-teens about the essential role of animals in scientific research.

This exciting public outreach project, the Foundation’s largest and most ambitious to date, teaches future leaders how animals help scientists in research — and how research, in turn, benefits humans and animals.

What is the CARE Challenge?

The CARE Challenge is a two month, two-pronged competition amongst AALAS branches designed to build awareness and generate support for the CARE project and the AALAS Foundation.

Why should our branch participate in the CARE Challenge?

The AALAS Foundation relies on your financial support to launch important public outreach programs like Whyville. Your donation helps the AALAS Foundation:
• further public understanding, respect and support for the life sciences;
• educate future leaders about the importance of responsible laboratory animal research;
• encourage today’s students to become tomorrow’s laboratory animal science professionals.

All branches that contribute to the CARE Challenge will be recognized during the AALAS Foundation reception at the AALAS National Meeting, in AALAS publications and on the AALAS Foundation website.

How Does the CARE Challenge Work?

Branches battle to see how many members, friends, and family they can get to view an online Whyville PowerPoint presentation and complete the CARE Challenge Survey. The branch that generates the most survey responses wins!

Branches also compete, based on membership size, to see who can generate the most financial support for the AALAS Foundation.
For instance, a branch that donates $500 and has 100 members will earn 5 points. A branch that donates $1,000 and has 500 members will receive 2 points. The branch with the most points wins!

When does the CARE Challenge take place?

The CARE Challenge begins Tuesday, September 1 and ends Friday, October 30 – just in time for the National Meeting!

How can our branch support the Foundation?

Your branch can make a one-time contribution or a multi-year pledge to the Foundation. To donate by fax or mail, complete the contribution form (pdf) or visit http://www.aalasfoundation.org/donate.html.

Remember, giving to the Foundation is not just a donation, it’s an investment in your future!

Whyville Resources
Information Page
Fact Sheet (pdf)
Press Release (pdf)
Newsletter Column (pdf)

CARE Challenge Resources
Whyville PowerPoint
CARE Challenge Survey
CARE Challenge Fact Sheet (pdf)
Newletter Ads (pdf)
Whyville Log-in Instructions (pdf)