Exploring medical research
In this activity, students explore current medical research and consider future possibilities. They compare current medical care of infectious diseases with research and think about future trends. This activity can be adapted for students to explore other areas of medical research, for example, potentially revolutionary treatments for brain diseases.
Making molecules
Dr Bridget Stocker (Malaghan Institute) and Dr Mattie Timmer (Victoria University of Wellington) are chemists who make molecules to replicate those found in bacteria. Making molecules is a bit like cooking. Materials are added and mixed together to make the molecule they are replicating. The compound then needs to be tested to see if it is the one they want.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
explain some of current research happening in immunology in New Zealand
compare current medical care of infectious diseases to the research happening at the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research
describe what could be available in future medical care related to infectious diseases.
Nature of science
Our understanding of science is evolving all the time. Therapies such as drugs and vaccines improve as scientists learn more about infectious diseases, immune response and making new drugs and vaccines.
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
introduction/background notes
what you need
what to do.
Related content
Use these articles below to find out more about research being undertaken in Aotearoa New Zealand:
Discover more about Vaccines and therapies and Infection.
The history of vaccination looks at how vaccination was pioneered by an 18th century English doctor, Edward Jenner. He was the first to show that vaccination with cowpox could protect against smallpox.
Activity ideas
The Ethics thinking toolkit uses common ethical frameworks to help you explore ethical decision-making and judgements with your students.
Ethical dilemmas in fighting infection explores ethical issues related to infections and vaccinations.
