Every 16-year-old student who applies for a PA driver's license is asked to make a decision that could mean life or death to one of more than 7,000 Pennsylvanians who are currently on the transplant waiting list. The critical shortage of organ and tissue donors is considered to be a national health crisis. The OTDA Project assists secondary students in pre-thinking the critical issues surrounding organ and tissue donation so that each teen can make an informed decision and communicate that decision to his or her family members.
The project goals are to:
- Provide OTDA information and curricular support to Pennsylvania's school districts.
- Assist secondary educators in using OTDA materials and resources.
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Upcoming Event
A Look On The Inside --- FREE ONE-DAY STUDENT CAMP
Friday, March 15, 2013, or Tuesday, April 30, 2013
8:30 A.M. – 2 P.M.
At the Whitaker Center and Harrisburg University
A unique opportunity for your students to obtain the facts about Organ and Tissue Donation by viewing a video-streamed live surgery, observing the display and explanation of real human organs, and touring Harrisburg University and learning about careers relating to organ and tissue donation. The OTDA Project will cover the cost of transportation (busing), teacher substitutes, and lunch.
Training Opportunities
NEW! Register today for Organ and Tissue Donation Basics Online Learning Modules
OTDA Implementation Site Mini Grant
NEW! 
2013-14 Mini-Grant Application and Letter
2013 OTDA Spring Institute for Educators!
May 9 and 10, 2013 - State College, PA
The OTDA Project Services and Curricular Materials
The cornerstone of the OTDA curricular package is the award-winning 178-page classroom toolkit. Aligned with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards, this interdisciplinary teaching tool is easy to use and completely reproducible for immediate use in the secondary education setting. The OTDA Project hosts an annual mini grant competition for Pennsylvania secondary schools to encourage teachers to implement the OTDA Curriculum Toolkit in their classroom. Awards of up to $5,000 are given. The kit contains teacher-developed lesson plans, resources, and real-life stories from across Pennsylvania.
The following items are among the many resources located in the OTDA Document Library:
- The OTDA Curriculum Toolkit
- Act 48-approved Professional Development information
- Mini grant information
- Present and past copies of the newsletter, OTDA Essentials
- Photos of the annual OTDA Institute for Educators
Join the free statewide educator listserv!
For more information, please call 717-606-1864 or email otda@iu13.org.
PA Partnerships
Partnerships in Pennsylvania are critical to the success of the OTDA Project. Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) in PA offer many free services to local community groups, schools, and individuals. Among these are guest speakers, assembly and presentation coordination, field trips, information for senior projects, fundraising events, and incentive products. They can also put your school in touch with High School Students for Organ Donation, a national student organization.
To contact your regional OPO for education and outreach, click on the following: