education

7-10 Infectious Diseases Program

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Second Nature Education offers an amazing variety of educational and experiential programs to (historical) outbreak locations, pathology clinics and science centres in: Queensland and New South Wales; throughout Australia; and overseas.

All our programs are either tailored to support relevant units within the new curriculum, or as specifically requested by our clients.

What we provide

  • Award-winning educators/ facilitators
  • Itineraries and Flyers
  • Curriculum-based work-booklets
  • All relevant equipment (supplying up to 150x students per session)
  • Example assessment tasks
  • Pre/Post Excursion Activities (usually a PPP)
  • Risk Assessment (location specific)
  • Variety of field-work locations (where available)
  • Accommodation options (we provide quotes to utilise the most affordable and most appropriate accommodation to suit your needs)
  • Catering options (we provide quotes to utilise our own in-house catering service for every excursion (where available) and/or catering through a third-party provider

Secondary School (Yr 7-10) Programs

Our Secondary School programs have been developed for specific units of study within Geography and Science. Each can however be tailored to a school’s needs. The programs are great fun and involve the in-depth study of an animal virus that has affected a local community in the past (for example, Hendra Virus or Swine Flu). Students gain an understanding of how the virus originated, how it was carried, how it was transmitted and how it was/is currently being managed. They hear from scientists in immunobiology and pharmacy about cutting edge research to combat infectious diseases. These programs are delivered by passionate facilitators with specialist knowledge on human biology. The experiences can be delivered to complement the following units or modules:

Geography

  • Year 9 Human Wellbeing (NSW)
  • Year 10 Geographies of Human Wellbeing (QLD/VIC)

Science

  • Year 9 Biological Sciences (QLD/VIC) or Living World (NSW)
  • Year 10 Biological Sciences (QLD/VIC) or Living World (NSW)

Trip Overview

Understanding how a disease spreads and how it affects the human body is imperative. This knowledge allows humankind to stop or slow epidemics, a feat that saves hundreds of lives around the world. On this adventure, you will learn about an infectious disease that has historically affected your community. You will trace the disease from its point of origin (using maps) to the community to the pathology lab.

Highlights

  • Map reading/comprehension
  • Speaking to locals who may have lived through or been affected by an outbreak
  • Seeing behind the scenes at a hospital or pathology clinic!
  • See vectors of a highly virulent disease in their natural habitat

More Information

Inclusions

Excursions

  • Use of maps to identify the origin and extent of the relevant disease
  • Identification of vectors that may have brought it to the community
  • Interviewing locals about how the disease has affected them/their animals
  • Visit to a pathology for a presentation on infectious diseases (optional)
  • Visit to a local hospital for a presentation on infectious diseases (optional)
  • Learning about the human immune system and its three lines of defence

Incursions

  • An age-appropriate interactive PowerPoint presentation
  • A discussion of how a disease originates, then how it is contracted, carried, transferred and treated.
  • Depth study of a disease that once affected a local community
  • Active “Last Line of Defence” game where students learn about the human immune system
  • Quiz (with prizes!) to assess comprehension
Educational Outcomes
  • Awareness and knowledge of the impacts of infectious diseases on social activity, politics, the economy and the environment on a local and global scale
  • An understanding of how human immune systems work and how these can be compromised by an infectious disease
  • Knowledge of the difference between carriers and organisms that express a disease
  • Awareness of the different ways in which a disease can spread, and how this knowledge can assist in the management of an infectious disease
  • Knowledge of technology that enables scientific research, especially in relation to the isolation and destruction of pathogens
  • An understanding of the effects of an infectious disease on the local ecology
  • A feeling of connection and stewardship towards the natural environment
  • A thorough education on the benefits of vaccination
Itinerary

Below is an example itinerary for a 1-day “Infectious Diseases” excursion. All excursion packages include the necessary work booklets and equipment.

09:00 Tour group pick- Second Nature have a fleet of vehicles available to cater for any number of passengers (within reason). We can provide transport to and from schools and airports
09:30 Arrive at destination for Activity session 1 This activity is an introduction to the topic of study. A virus will be identified, and the guides will talk through a brief history of how this virus appeared in the local community, how it began to spread as well as other areas that it may have affected. Students will be asked to the highlight the locations of different outbreaks on a map.
10:00 Morning tea
10:30 Activity Session 2 Students will be given a chance to interview local business owners and residents about their knowledge of the virus and how it may have affected their lives. It may be the case that an interviewee was infected with the virus and continues to be treated for it.
11:30 Lunch at destination Great areas to take a break and relax!
12:30 Activity Session 3 During this activity, students will walk around the town or a nearby wildlife sanctuary and discuss vectors of the disease. They will consider pathways for the disease to pass from animals to humans and view known carriers in their wild environment.
13:30 Depart destination for Pathology Lab
13:45 Arrive at Pathology Lab for Activity Session 4 Take a guided tour of a pathology lab. Students will see researchers in action screening blood samples for pathogens and isolating infected blood cells for further analysis.
14:30 Depart destination, back to school or airport
15:00 Arrive back at school or airport when required

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