Sixth-grade students at New Hyde Park Road School in the New Hyde Park-Garden City Park School District learned about detecting infections during STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) class on September 17.
The lesson began with students playing three rounds of the heads-up game Seven Up. Seven students were selected to high-five one of their peers, who were positioned with their heads down and eyes closed. After the rounds were completed, STEAM teacher Sal Giurlanda turned off the classroom lights and asked students to use the flashlight on their table to check their hands. Some of the students noticed that their hands were glowing. Mr. Giurlanda then shared that one of their classmates had put bioluminescent powder on their hands prior to the game. This patient was labeled “Patient Zero.”
Students worked together to identify Patient Zero. First, they collected data, making a list of all the students who high-fived and were high-fived as part of the game. They then turned and talked to each other, using mathematics to narrow down who Patient Zero could be based on who was infected.
The STEAM activity is part of the Project Lead the Way curriculum implemented by the district in grades one through six this year. Project Lead the Way is a problem-based curriculum that fosters student collaboration and encompasses three platforms of learning: biomedical, engineering and computer science. Each lesson begins with a hands-on activity and encourages the development of problem-solving skills, critical thinking, creative and innovative reasoning, and a love of learning.
