Skip to Main Content

HSLIC Traveling Exhibits

Introduction

This exhibit provides a general overview of the history of infectious disease in New Mexico. Themes include epidemics, tuberculosis, polio, and more.  

Activities

Guest Speaker on Infectious Diseases

  • Objective: Invite a professional who can discuss infectious diseases, how they spread, and public health measures.
  • Speaker Suggestions: Look for a local epidemiologist, public health expert, or someone from a relevant healthcare organization to speak to the group. They could cover topics such as disease transmission, prevention, and the importance of vaccination.
  • Interactive Q&A: After the presentation, allow time for kids and adults to ask questions.

Handwashing & Germ Spread Activities

  • Resource: ASM Handwashing Activities
    • These PDF activities teach how germs spread and why proper handwashing is essential for preventing illness.
  • Activity Ideas:
    • For Kids: Use the "Glitter on Hands" activity where you apply glitter to children's hands to show how germs can spread, then have them wash their hands and observe how effective different methods are at removing the glitter.
    • For Older Kids/Adults: Teach about the scientific principles behind handwashing (e.g., soap breaking down oils, friction removing dirt and germs) and have them perform various handwashing techniques to compare their effectiveness.

Science of Germs and Disease Spread (Interactive Activities)

  • Resource: Discovery Centre Germ Activities
    • These science activities are designed for kids to learn about germs, the immune system, and hygiene practices.
  • Activity Ideas:
    • Germ Simulation: Set up a station where kids can "catch" germs (using a harmless substance like glitter or colored powder) and see how germs spread when they touch objects or other people.
    • Immune System Games: Use interactive activities to explain how the body fights off infections (e.g., using balloons or colored beads to represent pathogens and immune cells).

Immunology & Vaccines – Hands-on Activities

  • Resource: BSI Immunology and Vaccines Activities
    • These resources include hands-on activities for children to learn about immunology and vaccines.
  • Activity Ideas:
    • Vaccine Memory Game: Create a memory game that helps children learn about vaccines, how they protect us, and the role of the immune system.
    • Vaccine Simulation: Using simple props (like balloons, cups, or paper cutouts), demonstrate how vaccines train the body to recognize and fight off specific pathogens.

Solve the Outbreak Game (For Older Participants)

  • Resource: CDC Solve the Outbreak
    • This game is a fun, interactive way to engage older audiences (adults and teenagers) in solving a disease outbreak scenario using epidemiology principles.
  • Activity Idea: Have participants play this game individually or in teams. Afterward, discuss how real-world outbreaks are controlled, including strategies like contact tracing and quarantine.

Modeling Disease Transmission (Hands-on Activity)

  • Resource: Florida Polytechnic Disease Transmission Modeling
    • This activity models how diseases can spread through a population and shows how various factors affect transmission (e.g., vaccination rates, social distancing).
  • Activity Idea: Use simple tools (such as colored liquids or dots) to simulate disease spread in a classroom or group setting. Create scenarios with different variables (e.g., some people are vaccinated) and observe how the disease spreads.
    • For Kids: Focus on simple models and interactive elements, like a game or demonstration.
    • For Adults/Older Kids: Dive deeper into the mathematical models behind disease transmission, including R0 (basic reproduction number) and how to reduce transmission.

Resources

For a hands-on approach to teaching about infectious diseases, especially to younger audiences, these resources will be very useful.

Science Journal for Kids - Teaching Infectious Diseases
This resource offers lesson ideas for teaching kids about infectious diseases. The articles are designed to engage children in understanding the science behind germs, how they spread, and how diseases affect the body. It is structured to be engaging and informative for younger audiences.

ASM - Educating Youth on Public Health and Infectious Disease
This article provides educational tools about public health and infectious diseases, including downloadable PDFs for handwashing activities and the glitter-on-the-hands experiment to demonstrate how germs spread. These activities can be adapted for both younger and older kids, allowing flexibility in teaching.

Discovery Centre - Germs Science Activities for Kids
This site features a range of activities and PDFs that are designed to educate kids about germs and how they spread. It offers hands-on science experiments to help children visualize and understand the concept of germs and hygiene.

British Society for Immunology - Vaccine Memory Hands-On Activities
This resource provides hands-on activities related to immunology and vaccines, tailored to children. The activities help kids understand how vaccines work, the immune response, and the concept of vaccine memory, making the topic of immunization more accessible.

CDC - Solve the Outbreak Game
This interactive game, geared towards adults, lets players solve outbreaks by responding to clues and outbreaks in real-time. It's a fun and educational way for older audiences to explore disease transmission, public health, and outbreak management.

Florida Polytechnic University - Modeling Disease Transmission
This resource provides an activity that models the transmission of disease. It is hands-on and can be used to teach both children and adults about how diseases spread, what factors contribute to transmission, and ways to control and prevent it.

CDC Project Firstline - Healthcare Worker Training Toolkits
This resource offers training toolkits for healthcare workers, including PDFs and other resources. While intended for professionals, these materials can be adapted to suit a more general audience, especially for older students or adults interested in learning about infection control and public health practices.