Exciting middle and high school students about immunology: an easy, inquiry-based lesson
- PDF / 528,900 Bytes
- 9 Pages / 595.276 x 790.866 pts Page_size
- 53 Downloads / 162 Views
IMMUNOLOGY IN COLORADO
Exciting middle and high school students about immunology: an easy, inquiry-based lesson Kara Lukin
Kara Lukin Published online: 12 September 2012 Ó Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012
Abstract High school students in the United States are apathetic about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and the workforce pipeline in these areas is collapsing. The lack of understanding of basic principles of biology means that students are unable to make educated decisions concerning their personal health. To address these issues, we have developed a simple, inquiry-based outreach lesson centered on a mouse dissection. Students learn key concepts in immunology and enhance their understanding of human organ systems. The experiment highlights aspects of the scientific method and authentic data collection and analysis. This hands-on activity stimulates interest in biology, personal health and careers in STEM fields. Here, we present all the information necessary to execute the lesson effectively with middle and high school students. Keywords Science educational outreach How-to Easy Inquiry-based Mouse dissection Immunology lesson plan Body systems
Introduction The apathetic attitude toward science held by many high school students in the United States has contributed to both health and economic crises for the country [1, 2]. Since only 21 % of 12th-grade students are proficient in science nationally [3], it is not surprising that the emerging adult population lacks the basic knowledge of biology needed to make informed and prudent health-related decisions. In particular, students need help comprehending issues like (1) the benefits of immunizations, (2) the transmission of STDs and other infectious diseases, (3) how and why to use antibiotics properly and (4) the need to maintain a reasonable weight. Moreover, significant shortages in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) workforce have reduced the United States’ competitiveness and economic positions nationally and internationally [4]. The
K. Lukin (&) Integrated Department of Immunology, National Jewish Health, 1400 Jackson Street, Denver, CO 80206, USA e-mail: [email protected]
United States ranked 23rd among developed countries in science performance in the most recent Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) of 15-year olds [5]. An overall lack of understanding about the scientific process is leading to distrust of scientists and scientific data as well as disinterest in funding scientific research. These issues are compounded by weak critical thinking skills which result in adoption of ideas without evaluating them. One method of combating this state of affairs is to engage middle and high school students in authentic science via hands-on, inquirybased experiments led by scientists themselves. All students, even in countries with strong science education programs, benefit from increased experimentation. As expressed in the core assumptions of the National Science Education Sta
Data Loading...
