Lesson 1
The Legacy Code:
The Altruism Paradox
This lesson introduces students to the powerful idea that kindness isn’t just emotional — it’s scientific. Using evolutionary psychology, game theory, and neuroscience, students explore why humans are uniquely wired to help others, including strangers they will never meet. Through engaging discussions and the “Split or Steal” simulation, learners discover how cooperation shapes societies, strengthens trust, and makes donation possible. The focus is on shifting the narrative from “Donation is nice” to “Donation is smart” — a logical and collaborative strategy that benefits everyone. By understanding concepts like reciprocal altruism, the Prisoner’s Dilemma, and the brain’s reward chemicals, students gain a deeper appreciation for the biology and strategy behind giving. This lesson establishes the foundation for the unit, showing students that kindness is not weakness but a powerful evolutionary advantage.
“If you don’t have access to any of the books mentioned, you can substitute any picture book about kindness or sharing.”
Lesson 2
The Empathy Algorithm:
Decoding Bias
This lesson helps students uncover how the brain forms quick judgements about others—and how those judgements can affect decisions about organ and tissue donation. Year 9 learners explore the idea of “in-groups” and “out-groups,” examining how humans are naturally wired to favour people who feel familiar. Through guided discussion, real-world examples, and a set of “Bias Cards,” students learn how unconscious bias can influence trust, empathy, and willingness to help others. The focus is on building awareness, not blame. Students discover how stereotypes form, why some communities hold genuine fears about the medical system, and how cultural or religious misunderstandings can create hesitation around donation. Using the “Empathy Algorithm,” they practise active listening—validating someone’s feelings before offering facts—to understand how bias can be gently challenged with empathy and clear information. This lesson encourages students to widen their sense of “us,” recognise diverse needs within Australia’s transplant system, and appreciate the importance of fairness and inclusion in saving lives.
“If you don’t have access to any of the books mentioned, you can substitute any picture book about kindness or sharing.”
Lesson 3
The Black Box:
Decoding the System
This lesson explores the idea of fairness by taking students inside the real organ allocation system — a process many people believe is influenced by wealth, status, or popularity. Year 9 learners examine how the system actually works: a complex medical algorithm that must balance urgency, compatibility, and time. Through ethical scenarios, patient profiles, and guided debates, students investigate the difference between equity (giving everyone a fair chance) and utility (saving the most possible life-years). They also learn how the Australian system avoids discrimination by keeping the process “blind” to personal details such as race, wealth, and social value. Students gain insight into how doctors and computers work together to make life-saving decisions, the challenges of distributing rare resources fairly, and how bias can (and must) be prevented. This lesson encourages critical thinking, empathy, and deeper understanding of the ethical foundations that guide modern transplant medicine.
“If you don’t have access to any of the books mentioned, you can substitute any picture book about kindness or sharing.”
Lesson 4
The Legacy Code:
The Opportunity Cost
This lesson introduces students to the powerful idea that health is more than feeling well — it is a resource that fuels our ability to learn, grow, and contribute to the world. Using simplified economic concepts such as Opportunity Cost, QALYs, and “Bandwidth,” students explore how serious illness can consume time and energy, limiting a person’s future choices, study, work, and independence. Through relatable metaphors like “low battery mode,” students examine how organ failure drains the time and energy that young people normally use for school, sport, hobbies, friendships, and dreams. The lesson then reframes organ donation as a transformative “system upgrade” that restores this lost bandwidth, giving a young person the ability to reclaim their future. By analysing real-world scenarios, drawing energy graphs, and calculating time-loss, students discover that the value of donation isn’t just measured in years of life gained — but in the quality, freedom, and opportunity those years make possible. This lesson empowers students to think like health economists and compassionate citizens, understanding how restoring someone’s health also restores their potential to learn, participate, and contribute to their community.
“If you don’t have access to any of the books mentioned, you can substitute any picture book about kindness or sharing.”
Lesson 5
The Catalyst:
The Power of the Conversation
This lesson explores the most important factor influencing organ donation in Australia: family consent. Students learn how a simple conversation can transform a difficult choice into a comforting promise. Through the metaphor of a “catalyst,” students see how sharing their wishes lowers stress, reduces uncertainty, and helps families make decisions with confidence and peace. Using engaging hooks, real data, and practical communication strategies, students discover how to raise meaningful topics with the adults in their lives without awkwardness or fear. The focus is not on medical detail, but on values, empathy, and clear communication. This lesson empowers young people with the social tools to start important conversations that can one day help save lives.
“If you don’t have access to any of the books mentioned, you can substitute any picture book about kindness or sharing.”
Lesson 6
The Ethical Butterfly:
Opt-in vs. Opt-out
This lesson invites students to look beyond headlines and explore the real-world complexity behind organ donation laws. Rather than assuming that “Opt-out saves more lives,” learners examine global systems, investigate why some countries succeed regardless of the model, and understand that public trust—not the law alone—is the real catalyst for donation. Students explore three main consent systems, learn how behavioural economics (like the “Default Effect”) influences decisions, and analyse why families remain central in every country, even those with Opt-out systems. Through ethical discussion and guided reasoning, students discover that meaningful donation comes from informed choices, open communication, and a strong relationship between communities and their healthcare system. This lesson empowers students to think critically, challenge assumptions, and reflect on how both personal decisions and public trust shape the donation landscape.
“If you don’t have access to any of the books mentioned, you can substitute any picture book about kindness or sharing.”
Lesson 7
The Emotional Alchemy:
Grief & Gratitude
This powerful lesson guides students through one of the most meaningful aspects of donation—the connection between donor families and recipients. At this age, learners are beginning to understand that people can experience two emotions at the same time, such as grief and pride, joy and guilt. Through guided discussion and reflective writing, students explore how a simple anonymous letter can bridge these feelings. Using empathy mapping and ethical reasoning, students unpack the emotional journey of both sides: the donor family grieving their loss, and the recipient celebrating their second chance at life. The core activity invites students to step into the shoes of a young transplant recipient and write a heartfelt letter of gratitude—one that acknowledges loss, honours the gift, and shows how the “Gift of Time” has changed their life. This lesson encourages maturity, compassion, and emotional literacy, helping students recognise that their words can bring comfort, connection, and meaning in profound ways.
“If you don’t have access to any of the books mentioned, you can substitute any picture book about kindness or sharing.”
Lesson 8
The Campaign Code:
Viral Kindness
This lesson empowers Year 9 students to use their digital skills to create meaningful, positive change. Instead of simply making a poster, students step into the role of digital advocates—designing a campaign asset such as a TikTok storyboard, podcast script, reel concept, or visual poster. By exploring how messages go viral, students learn the principles behind what makes an idea “stick,” how to create an effective call to action, and how different media channels reach different audiences. The focus of this lesson is on using social influence ethically and creatively. Students discover how kindness, facts, emotion, and storytelling can inspire others, and how one thoughtful message can help shift community understanding about organ and tissue donation. This lesson blends creativity with real-world communication skills, giving students the tools to become responsible, positive digital influencers.
“If you don’t have access to any of the books mentioned, you can substitute any picture book about kindness or sharing.”
Lesson 9
The Algorithm of Hope:
The Future of Giving
This final lesson invites students to look ahead and imagine a future where generosity, science, and innovation work together to eliminate the organ shortage. Using the concept of “Protopia” — a future that is not perfect but better than today — students explore how emerging technologies like bioprinting, AI-matching, and xenotransplantation could reshape what is possible by 2050. Through guided reflection and creative future-design activities, learners examine how cultural attitudes evolve, how taboos shift, and how their own generation can spark meaningful change. The lesson emphasises “Realistic Optimism,” helping students understand that the future of donation is not only a scientific problem but a human one — driven by empathy, social connection, and shared responsibility. By acting as “Historians from the Future,” students reframe the present as a turning point, strengthening their belief that their voices, choices, and conversations today can help shape a brighter, more compassionate tomorrow.