The University of California at Berkeley's Lawrence Hall of Science has developed new curriculum materials for students in grades 4-9, called "Learning About Learning." This new publication, developed with support from Join Hands Educational Foundation and encouragement from California Biomedical Research Association ( CBRA), explores how people and animals learn and the effects on the brain of the learning process. Field testing began in Fall 1994, and release of materials to classrooms through CBRA and the Hall's Great Explorations in Math and Science Programs (GEMS) was published in 1996.

The goal of these materials is to introduce an awareness of the human and animal learning process, results for human health, the workings of the human brain and body, and the relationship to scientific research and discoveries that benefit humans. "Learning About Learning" responds to a recognized need to interest children in animal research and its value to both humans and animals in the early grades, and to encourage powers of observation and critical thinking. Students gain insight into the process of their own learning and how learning helps us to survive and thrive. The ethics of human, animal and in vitro experimentation will be debated and students will take part in a play to summarize their learning.