Summer SAVY, Session 5 Day 1, “Exploring Epidemiology One Microorganism at a Time” (3rd-4th)
Dear SAVY Parents,
In Exploring Epidemiology One Microorganism at a Time, the class will be disease detectives slaying microscopic monsters! We are so pleased with the interest and maturity of the class. We mentioned some pretty nasty concepts (diarrhea from cholera, sebum being an eyelash mite’s favorite food, etc.), and the students were engaged and contributing to the conversation.
Throughout the week, we will be fighting a mysterious epidemic caused by our imagined microbe models. The class will learn about causes, symptoms, and cures of various illnesses and diseases, as well as a variety of epidemiologists who studied them. We are solving a real-world problem while exploring science through books, games, art, journal-writing, Kahoots, experiments, discussions, and activities.
This morning, we played a few science games to get to know each other. The class discussed what it means to be an epidemiologist and the important work these scientists do. In addition, the students learned about myths and theories once attributed to illnesses long ago (Saturn being in the right place in the solar system, a Greek God was angry, or an enemy recited a spell). Fortunately, the group found this hilarious and ridiculous. And, we started with a discussion about COVID-19, and the students brainstormed what they remembered during that pandemic.
Through a spontaneous generation lab testing mold growing on bread, the children were introduced to the scientific method and lab safety. We will continue to check on our bread pieces for mold during the week. We practiced using real microscopes to look at 6 prepared slides of plants, insects, and animal tissues. During the week, we will continue to look at the slides as we have 24 in total, which include onion epidermis, dog esophagus, and honeybee worker leg.
Today focused on Hippocrates, Louis Pasteur, and Antonie Van Leeuwenhoek, and we read about and saw pictures of magnified Giardia, head lice, eyelash mites, and conjunctivitis. The students were introduced to giant plush (stuffed animal) microbes of COVID, Zika, Measles, Pandemic Flu, SARS, Smallpox, Black Death, Cholera, Typhoid Fever, and Spanish Flu. They read the descriptions of these 21st-century and historic plagues and drew some of these microbes.
On Wednesday, we will take a field trip to the Vanderbilt Medical Center North. For safety reasons, the students need long pants and closed-toe shoes for this trip. We will be in a real medical facility.
Dinner table questions:
- What can you tell me about the epidemiology class?
- What do you think will happen with the 2 pieces of bread?
- What was an interesting illness or disease? Why?
- What did you contribute to the discussion or activities today?
- What is something you learned from a classmate?
- What did you see when you looked through the microscope?
We look forward to tomorrow!
Warmly,
Ms. Elizabeth and Ms. Andrea
