By Priscilla Robinson
This summer, during a visit to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky, I had an experience that reminded me of why teachers and parents should emphasize good hygiene and disease prevention habits to our children. Whether fungal, bacterial, or viral, pathogens can be real threats to humans—and to wildlife. Preventing the spread of infectious disease is something we can ALL do, if we are taught the proper steps.
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Biology, College level, Earth Science, Elementary level, High School level, Middle School level | Tagged: disease transmission, Educational Innovations, germs, Glo Germ, hands-on activity, homeschool, parent friendly, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, science | 
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Posted by Donna Giachetti
When the topic is germs, your teaching opportunities can expand in many directions—just like the droplet spread from a sneeze!
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Here you will find germ-related discussion starters, research ideas, current events worksheets, posters and more. Read the rest of this entry »
3 Comments | Biology, Elementary level, High School level, Middle School level | Tagged: disease transmission, ebola, flu, germs, Glo Germ, hand-washing, homeschool, immunization, mandatory vaccine, parent friendly, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, science | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
by: Priscilla Robinson
These days, it’s hard not to hear reports about the spread of infectious disease, from serious viruses like Ebola to the “common” cold. There are ads for flu shots and cold remedies, nightly media coverage about rampant epidemics all over the world, and pundits predicting whether these contagious diseases might someday get to this country.
So how is this affecting your students? Are they asking questions? Are they anxious about where these germs may be lurking, and whether they or their families are in any danger?
As a teacher, I’ve found that the science classroom is the perfect environment to help students understand the world around them.
A few years ago, my students and I survived an outbreak of the Swine Flu. So many kids were getting sick that our school had to establish a quarantine room to isolate ill students until their parents could pick them up. During this time, I set up stringent hand-washing techniques for students (and myself), as well as protocols for disinfecting desks, chairs and door handles. Ultimately, my students had a lower rate of absences than their peers, and I stayed healthy as well.
Below you’ll find two fun and engaging classroom activities related to infectious disease transmission and prevention. Try them with your students! Read the rest of this entry »
2 Comments | Biology, Elementary level, experiments, High School level, Middle School level | Tagged: disease transmission, germs, Glo Germ, hand-washing, hand-washing techniques, microbes, microorganisms, parent friendly, PBL, phenomenon based learning, phenomenon-based science, science, swine flu | Permalink
Posted by Donna Giachetti
by: Tami O’Connor
Is swine flu spreading like wildfire in your community? In my hometown of Redding, Connecticut, the high school’s homecoming dance and the Halloween parties at the elementary school were both canceled. The middle school social was also postponed until flu season is officially behind us.
What better time than now to teach your students about the benefits of proper hand washing techniques and how diseases are actually transmitted from one person to another? Educational Innovations carries a full line of products designed to help you educate your students about germ transmission and how best to reduce the spread of harmful microbes. Let Educational Innovations help you to keep your students more mindful of easy things they can do to stay healthy.
Glo Germ is a fantastic product which safely and graphically demonstrates to students and adults alike how germs are spread.
Used throughout the United States in schools, hospitals and food services, Glo Germ consists of an odorless lotion or powder which glows brightly when exposed to ultraviolet light. This product is perfect for your health curriculum. Read the rest of this entry »
Leave a Comment » | Biology, Elementary level, Middle School level | Tagged: disease transmission, Glo Germ, hand-washing techniques, microbes, phenomenon based learning, swine flu | Permalink
Posted by Tami O'Connor
by: John Fedors
As infants become aware of their surroundings, fingers, toes, toys, pacifiers and other objects that can be handled, always end up in their mouths. It’s no wonder that parents become first fascinated, then concerned, and eventually oblivious for it seems almost everything ends up being “tasted”.
Alertness, curiosity, and fascination inspire investigation, which begins at an early age. Teachers encourage this direction and take advantage of it. Repetition of this experience should be reinforced and developed to become habitual. Children come to recognize, “It Makes Sense” .
Did you wash your hands? How many times have we heard this? How many times do we “forget”? This simple, though important task, must be difficult to instill, for so many fail to perform it.
We are continually reminded during our early lives and even as adults, that hand-washing must be difficult or of low priority, because we so often forget. It would seem that demonstrating the effectiveness of using soap and water should be encouraged!
The use of Glo Germ powder may help to develop this habit.
When I mention this to teachers, most are aware of its uses, but many are not. Some teachers are aware because the school nurse or health teacher has demonstrated it in their class, then it is forgotten. Teachers have multiple opportunities to demonstrate and reinforce this awareness.
Glo-Germ is a nontoxic product, which simulates a microorganism. This product is not easily visible but fluoresces when exposed to UV light. It is used in hospitals, fast food chains, and schools to demonstrate the effectiveness of hand washing.
1 Comment | Biology, Elementary level, experiments, High School level, Middle School level | Tagged: disease transmission, forensic science, germs, hand-washing, microorganisms, phenomenon based learning | Permalink
Posted by Tami O'Connor
