Project Related:

Educational Resources

  • Museum Exhibits

    Grade:
    Resource: museum exhibit on infectious disease

institution image

Diseases and Decisions: The Current Science on Emerging Threats Exhibition

Grant Code: R25RR022705

Funding Years: 09/30/2005 - 08/31/2010

Institution: Marian Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences

Department:

Address:
500 5th St NW
Washington, DC, 20001

PI:
SHUGART, ERIKA,
Phone: (202) 334-3864
Fax:
Email: eshugart@nas.edu

Educational Manager:
FETOUH, NAGLA,
Phone: (202) 334-1499
Fax:
Email: nfetouh@nas.edu

URL: http://www.koshlandscience.org
Audience

This exhibition is intended for non-scientist adults in the general public, teachers, school groups at the level of middle school and above, journalists, and policy makers.

Subjects Addressed

There have been many gains in public health and in our understanding of infectious disease, but many challenges remain. This exhibit focuses on six main concepts: characteristics of microbes (viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites), host-microbe interactions, vaccines, anti-infectives, evolution, the global burden of infectious disease, and gains in life expectancy over time. The tone of the exhibit is factual and informative. While it expresses the urgent need for action in this area, it is not designed to generate irrational fear.

Project Description

The Marian Koshland Science Museum produced an interactive exhibit and supporting educational and programmatic materials for a non-scientist audience 13 and older using the reports of the National Academies on infectious disease. A special emphasis was placed on helping the visitor use science in making decisions about issues related to disease. Within this broad framework, some specific learning goals for all audiences include: 1. Science is a tool for decision making. 2. Infectious disease affects individuals, society, and the environment. 3. Actions can be taken to modify the effect of a disease. 4. There are costs and benefits resulting from actions and inaction relating to disease. 5. The study of disease is a personal endeavor.

Resources for Sharing

The Koshland Science Museum has several different types of products that can be shared including: 1. Materials on our web site, 2. Public program ideas, 3. School field trip materials, 4. kiosk-based exhibits.

Dissemination Strategies

This exhibit opened at the Koshland Science Museum in March 2007. A companion web site (http:// www.koshlandscience.org/exhib_infectious/index.jsp) launched at the same time. Currently the museum is producing supporting curricular materials appropriate for a middle and high school audience and public programs aimed at adults. Short videos of the public programs are being broadcast on YouTube in partnership with MicrobeWorld.

Abstract

The Marian Koshland Science Museum will produce a 1,500-square-foot exhibit on infectious disease aimed at a teen and adult audience. The exhibit will focus on three concepts: 1) how infectious disease affects individuals, society, and the environment; 2) what actions can be taken to modify the impact of infectious disease; and 3) what benefits and consequences there are to both action and inaction. These concepts will be explained using interactive displays, with emphasis on the use of current science and science-based decision support tools. The Koshland will develop public programs, educational materials aimed at grades 7-12, hands-on science activities, and audio and video guides to support the exhibit. An exhibit on infectious disease is relevant because of the continuing burden and increasing threat of disease worldwide. A greater understanding of recent scientific advances will help the public make decisions about their health and the health of their community.

Keywords

infectious disease, disease, audio, video

View the Poster as presented at the 2006
SEPA Program Director's Conference

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