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Zika
Equipping the Next Generation for Active Engagement in Science
Vote on the dilemma

2. 2
Zika could spread across
the world. We declare it a
public health emergency.
...and it may cause a
dangerous paralysing illness
in adults.
Thousands of babies are
being born with small heads
and brain damage...
Review ConsiderEngage Decide
Would you test a vaccine?
A previously mild illness,
Zika is now causing
panic in South America.

3. 3
 Make deductions about
how medical treatments work
based on cells, tissues, organs
and systems
 Weigh up the benefits and risks
of an application of science
to make a decision
Working ScientificallyBig Idea
Cells
Estimate
risks
In this lesson you will :

4. 4
What is Zika?
 Spread by mosquitoes
 No known cure
or vaccine
A vaccine gives you
immunity for a disease.
This means that you
cannot catch it.
Engage DecideConsiderReview
 Caused by a virus
Envelope
Spikes
Genetic
information

5. 5
SS1
Engage DecideReview
Play: How does the vaccine work?
virus
your cell
3
In the bloodstream...
5
2
Consider
antibodies
4
Zika viruses with no
genetic material
1

6. 6
SS2-3
Newspaper
TV news
Drug
company
website
Celebrity tweet
Ask family
Ask friend
Ask doctor
Ask
science
teacher
Engage DecideReview Consider
Read the different sources.
 Think about whether the
source is reliable or if you
should ignore it.
 Decide how big the risk
and benefits are.
 Do the benefits outweigh
the risks for you? For others?
Find out the
risks and benefits
Testing the Zika vaccine

7. 7
SS2-3
• Make your decision.
• Describe how you
decided.
• Click the image to
vote online.
• Compare your
views with students
around the world.
Engage ConsiderReview Decide
Would you test a vaccine?

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Student sheets
Zika
Sheet no. Title Notes
SS1 How the vaccine works Reusable, cut up,
one per group
SS2 Making a decision Consumable, one per
student
SS3a Sources Reusable, enlarged to A3
and cut up
SS3b Sources Reusable, enlarged to A3
and cut up

9. Student sheets
A
C
E
G
I
B
D
F
H
J
How the vaccine works
SS1
The vaccine contains inactive
versions of the Zika virus.
The vaccine contains
active Zika viruses.
Your red blood cells realise
that the virus is an invader.
They create antibodies that
stick to the spikes on the
virus and destroys them.
They create antibodies that
stick to the genetic material in
the virus and destroys them.
The viruses are released
into your skin.
The viruses are released
into your blood.
If later you are infected with Zika, your
immune system recognises the spikes
on the surface of the viruses. They are
destroyed before they get a chance
to multiply and make you ill.
If later you are infected with Zika, your
digestive system recognises the spikes on
the surface of the viruses. They are
destroyed before they get a chance to
multiply and make you ill.
Your white blood cells realise
that the virus is an invader.

10. Student sheets
Making a decision If I test the vaccine...
SS2
Benefits to me
I will get paid to test the
vaccine
I will feel good about
helping other people
There might be other side
effects from the vaccine
I might get Zika from the
vaccine
Risks to me
Total score
Benefits to others
If the vaccine works it could
help save many lives
The drug company will
make money
If I get Zika from the vaccine
it could spread to others
If I get ill from side-effects my
family and friends will be upset
Risks to others
Score
0 +1 +2 +3
Score how big each benefit/risk is and how likely it is to happen
+ +
Score
0 -1 -2 -3
Score
0 +1 +2 +3
Score
0 -1 -2 -3
Positive score means benefits
are bigger. Negative score
means risks are bigger
Total score
Positive score means benefits
are bigger. Negative score
means risks are bigger

11. Student sheets
Sources
Member of your family A friend
Science
teacher
Doctor
SS3a
I have family in Brazil.
A vaccine would
keep them safe.
You will be given
an untested vaccine.
It could harm you – let
someone else try it.
A vaccine, like any
medicine, carries
health risks.
However, in tested
vaccines these are
very rare.
We need to test
new vaccines on
people to check
they work and are
completely safe.
Without this no
new vaccines can
be developed.

12. Student sheets
SS3b
Sources
The Zika vaccine is
being developed much
more quickly than
normal so it gets to
people at risk as
soon as possible.
TV news
Drug company website
The vaccine has
been tested in
humans before
and shown to be
safe.
The health of
the volunteers
will be
checked daily
by doctors.
Newspaper
The zika vaccine will contain toxic
mercury and other chemicals, it’s more
harmful than getting zika #antivaccine
Selena McCarthy
@selenam
Celebrity tweet

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Get students talking and thinking

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Equipping the Next Generation for Active Engagement in Science