MAGPI Programs

Target Grade Levels: 9-12

Requirements for Participation: Must be a MAGPI Member and have H.323 videoconferencing capabilities. REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

Series Description:

MAGPI is very pleased to help promote "Science and the Cinema," a project in development with Garden State Distance Learning Consortium, NJEDge, Verizon, MAGPI, New Jersey Association for Biomedical Research, and UMDNJ. MAGPI will be coordinating special "MAGPI-member" only videoconference sessions for Spring 2008 in conjunction with this project!

Science in the Cinema, in its original form, is a free film and lecture series intended for a broad range of individuals who enjoy the cinema and have an interest in science and medicine. Selected films touch on a variety of medical and scientific topics. Following each film, an expert discusses the science depicted in the film and takes questions from the audience. These discussions also include the ethical implications raised by the film. Science in the Cinema programs, in this form, was only available to live audiences.

Through the use of videoconferencing our Science and the Cinema program uses technology to accomplish the same goals. It allows students to interact directly with scientists and researchers in their respective fields of expertise without leaving their school. These projects also challenge the students by engaging them in discussions on the ethical and moral issues that the advancement of science and technology places on the world community. Projects are being developed that will include experts in the fields of medicine, genetics, anthropology, cellular biology, and toxicology.

Take a look at the different Science and the Cinema topics below!

Date: February 6, 2008

Time: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EDT

Description:

Join Dr. George T. DiFerdinando, Jr., MD, MPH, Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology for the The New Jersey Center for Public Health Preparedness at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ- School of Public Health, for a discussion of the science behind the PBS American Experience program, INFLUENZA 1918: The worst epidemic the United States has ever known . Students should be familiar with the documentary (at minimum, the portions listed below) and should prepare questions ahead of time for Dr. DiFerdinando.

Preparing for the videoconference event:

View the Documentary
- Preferred Option: Purchase or rent PBS’ American Experience Program Titled: INFLUENZA 1918: The worst epidemic the United States has ever known.” Watch the video with your class. You can purchase the video from Shop PBS.
- Second Option (Unable to purchase or find the video): Watch the video segments listed below with your class:
  - 1918 Flu (Nov. 2006) A virus that killed up to 50 million people is brought back to life to decipher its deadliness. Watch now (13 mins.)
  - Pandemic Flu (Jan. 2006) Will the virus that causes bird flu develop the ability to move from person to person? Watch now (6 mins.)
- Third Option (Unable to purchase video or watch video segments): Make sure the class has an understanding of the key details from the video transcript of “Influenza 1918.” The video transcript of Influenza 1918

Conduct the Teacher Lesson Plan: Lesson Plan can be found on the PBS Website

Develop Questions: Students will develop questions for Dr. DiFerdinando regarding the topics covered in the documentary as well as contemporary issues of a possible pandemic, preparedness, and current public health policy. Teachers will review questions for appropriateness and content. Students will write questions on note cards for the videoconference. We will call on schools in round-robin fashion during the videoconference events.

Resources

American Experience website with documentary resources
Science and Theology News Article: “What makes a pandemic? HHS explains”
NJ Association of Biomedical Research Website
US Department of Health Pandemic Resources
The Influenza Pandemic of 1918 Information Page from Stanford University:
World Health Organization Pandemic Resources
Whitehouse Info: National Strategy for a Pandemic
National Public Radio Pandemic Info

Videoconference Outline

Welcome/Introductions: Schools will have an opportunity to introduce themselves
Moderator Welcome: Moderator will give a brief overview of the program and introduce the principal speaker.
Speaker Presentation: Dr. DiFerdinando will give a brief, 5-minute presentation.
Question and Answer Session: Moderator will then call on each participating school to ask one question each per round. Rounds of questions will continue as time permits. Schools will be called on in alphabetical order.
Concluding Remarks: Moderator will conclude the rounds of questions with 5 minutes remaining. Dr. DiFerdinando will give brief closing remarks.
Sign-Off! Moderator will conclude the conference.

Follow-Up Videoconference Activities

Student Essay. Students will write an essay discussing the video and what they learned from the videoconference

Date: February 20, 2008