Summer SAVY, Session 6 Day 2, Science Communication and Immunology (7th – 8th)
Today, we focused on how to communicate some of the science we’ve learned already. As a large group, we brainstormed different people a scientist might have to communicate with and came up with a great list – other scientists in the lab, your boss, investors or funding agencies, news reporters, friends, and family. Each target audience has specific needs. We put this skill into practice by writing about students’ favorite immune cells to me (the teacher) and another listener of their choice, and at the end of the day with a science communication game! Students loved talking to investors and grandparents.
Today we also went into more detail about specific viruses and bacteria – or pathogens. After an introductory video and lecture about how viruses and bacteria generally work, we took the students to a computer lab so they could research specific pathogens – our 4 groups learned about Tuberculosis, Influenza, Polio, and Streptococcus (strep throat). Students had to answer some questions to guide their research and then present to the class as pathogen experts using just the board. I call this the “chalk talk,” and it’s a great way for students to practice teaching others and thus become masters of the material. All the students did a great job, and we had a great large group discussion about these diseases and how the immune system fights them.
Finally, we reviewed concepts of immunology and the immune cells, particularly the T cells and B cells of the adaptive immune response to begin a lesson on vaccines. We covered how vaccines were first invented, how they work to stimulate the immune system, what exactly is immune “memory,” and different kinds of vaccines and how they’re used.
Tomorrow, we’ll continue our discussion of vaccines and how they work, as well as ways to communicate to the public about their benefits (and risks!) effectively and accurately.
Some questions you might ask at dinner tonight:
- Why do you think there are so many different types of vaccines and ways to make them?
- Are there certain people who can’t receive specific vaccines?
- What are some ways we can protect a community of more vulnerable individuals who aren’t able to receive vaccines?
I’m excited to continue these exciting topics with the students tomorrow! We have some fun activities and games planned.