Using News to interest Students in Science and increase Science Literacy

Here is a quote from today's In the News.  Because the content of In the News, in the left hand column, changes every day, the quote is included here: 

Once-A-Day HIV Drug Promising
Today's drug treatments are quite effective at keepingHIV in check and improving the health and quality of life of those living with the disease; however, the often complex cocktails of multiple drugs must be taken at various times throughout the day, making it challenging to adhere to the regimen. Still, it is vital that patients do so, as missing doses can have serious consequences. A new once-a-day "quad" pill, which combines four different medications in a single tablet, was found to be both safe and effective in a recent study and could make it easier for HIV patients to take their pills as prescribed. More ...Discuss

Ideas for Teachers and Students:

• Students can check the details of this "story" about science with journal articles that are refereed laboratory reports.
• Students can see if there are any politics involved in approval and manufacturing of drug treatments like the one discussed in the quoted article.
• Students interested in sports or medicine can see if there were any famous patients involved in testing new drugs.
• Who were the original researchers working on the proteases involved in drugs for HIV?  How has the internet and rumors on the internet aided or worsened their careers?
• Are there any incidents comparable to the McCarthy Era that relate to the pharmaceutical industry?

Well, these are some heavy questions that just might spark interest in science in someone who previously was uninterested or minimally interested in science.

Here are some more questions:

• Does the statement, " missing doses can have serious consequences," apply to  medications other than those for HIV, too...antibiotics?  TB medicines? malaria medicines?  more?
• Why should aseptic technique be used?
• What is the value of quarantine?  Do any countries use quarantine when it comes to HIV?  Do any not?  Why or why not use quarantine?  What is your opinion?  Can you back up your opinion with references from the technical, refereed, literature?

(c)J S Shipman 2012.  All posts on this blog are copyrighted.

Science "In the News" on Plant-based Plastics and Science Literacy

Here is a quote from, "In the News," which I have quoted here because otherwise it changes on a different day. It is provided by The Free Dictionary and on todays date is found in the left hand column.

Using current events is helpful in science classes. I was going to address plant-based plastics because at the canteen in the Everglades, they used cups made from plants and that was exciting. Then, here the plant based plastics are being used for the soft-drink industry.

I am not pushing soda (You must use your own science knowledge and skills to make a decision about soda in your diet, but I am commending the company for moving toward a renewable resource-based bottle. That is a good thing.

Quoted material and photograph follow:

"Pepsi Unveils Fully Plant-Based BottlePepsiCo has unveiled what it claims is the first PET plastic bottle made entirely from plant-based, renewable sources. It is not biodegradable or compostable, but it is fully recyclable. Traditional PET plastic is made using fossil fuels, but the new "green bottle" is made from materials like switch grass, pine bark, and corn husks. In the future, it may incorporate orange and potato peels, oat hulls, and other byproducts from the company's food production lines. By drawing on existing plant waste rather than growing plants specifically for this purpose, Pepsico will be making use of some of the estimated 2 billion tons of agricultural waste produced each year. More ... Discuss"

How can you use an article like this to engage students in science classes?

How can such an article enhance science literacy?

Could you use it to encourage students to design experiments based on the ideas they get from reading it?

Can students find related information to help them make judgements based on facts they find out about these bottles? Or, about sodas (pop)?

Could they speculate on making plastics from different plants?

Note that such an article could also give students career ideas:

"The new bottle looks, feels and protects the drink inside exactly the same as its current bottles, said Rocco Papalia, senior vice president of advanced research at PepsiCo."

Did you ever think of doing research at Pepsi or a company like Pepsi? What kind of company would you like to do research at?

Such open ended questions can start students thinking about the role of science in their lives. It can get them excited about learning more science.

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