Empirical Study on How to Develop a Life Science Education for Female Undergraduate Students Concerning the ‘End of Life’: Based on Verification of 5E Instructional Model

Abstract

For this study we developed a pilot program for teaching ethical issues in life science education to female undergraduate students attending a liberal arts university. One of the authors conducted the program based on the BSCS 5E Instructional Model. The two issues focused upon were, 1) whether ‘the end of life’ was an appropriate topic of study for general female students, and 2) what the outcome of the program was. The findings of this study show the following. It became clear that the theme of ‘end of life’ was one of the most obscure bioethical issues among the participating students. For this unfamiliar theme, some measures to create concrete images for students were taken to develop the 5E model; for example, the use of card-type games and non-fiction video materials were used. The methodology of applying the 5E model succeeded in eliciting honest and moral thinking on this subject among the participating students. In addition, it was confirmed that ‘end of life’ would indeed be a useful theme to build individual ethics for life and death while understanding the honest thoughts of oneself and others. This pilot program included a theme and contents that helped general female undergraduate students reflect upon how to live ethically and to support the evolution of their values.