Doha: High school students from across Qatar had the chance to investigate the biology and spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) thanks to a collaboration between the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) and Weill Cornell Medicine- Qatar (WCM-Q).
The All About Science: The Biology of Pandemics program, held remotely over video-conferencing apps, offered high school students with an interest in science and medicine the chance to learn more about the current pandemic and place it into the context of historical pandemics.
The program was designed to encourage the high school students to pursue a career in science and medicine, and to give them a much greater understanding of COVID-19. In addition, they also developed skills in teamwork, quantitative reasoning and experiential design, skills that will benefit them in their future lives.
Using mathematical tools, the students learned how scientists study the epidemiology of the virus and how measures like social distancing, vaccinations, and travel restrictions impact upon the virus' spread.
The Assistant Dean for Student Recruitment, Outreach and Foundation Programs at WCM-Q Dr. Rachid Bendriss commented, "This was a fascinating program. Not only were we able to teach young students about the biology and epidemiology of the novel coronavirus, we were also able to explore the series of deadly diseases that Qatar has faced in the past, and discuss what the future may hold."
WCM-Q's Dr. Becky Cramer, teaching specialist in biology said, "Throughout the week, the high school students were highly engaged and asked insightful questions as they learned about COVID-19, the tools scientists use to track infections, and the historical context of the pandemic. They then put this newfound knowledge to work, dividing into teams to develop and test a scientific hypothesis about the pandemic, with support from a current WCM-Q student. The resulting presentations were of the highest calibre: well-delivered, well-reasoned, and placed meaningfully into the context of the COVID-19 pandemic."
For her part, the Associate Director of Learning and Outreach at the NMoQ Fatma Al Kuwari, said: "We are proud of the WCM-Q collaboration, which provided learning opportunities to students during such challenging times. They were able to explore the Covid-19 pandemic through scientific, social and historical contexts."
