September 22 2009

OVERVIEW | Beginning with hand washing and polite sneezing, children share what they know about transmission of human viruses, and then bridge that knowledge to the plant world. They examine tiny virus transmitting insects, use pocket microscopes to explore a microscopic view of everyday classroom items, and discover how very tiny a nanometer is. Students discuss the destructive and beneficial effects of viruses and their impact on environment and society. Finally, students become familiar with the basic make-up of a virus as teams race to replicate models of viruses using geometric blocks and Velcro. Serves: Fifth graders in Payne County Public Schools.

Plant Virus Exploration completed its third season last year as a very popular Museum Without Walls program for 5th graders. Over 700 students from Stillwater, Perkins, Cushing and Yale were actively engaged in hands-on learning as they explored the nano-sized world of viruses. Plant Virus Exploration goes into the classroom at no cost to the participating school.

Students across Payne County eagerly participated in a two-hour interactive classroom presentation brought to their schools by the Oklahoma WONDERtorium (OWL). As a complement to the 5th grade Micro Worlds and Ecosystems Science units, "Plant Virus Exploration" provided the opportunity for students to learn through play. Virus "research" has never been so fun!

Although the program itself has many very exciting components — examining live virus vectors (aphids), spreading pretend viruses (glitter bug powder) to classmates through handshakes and high-fives, and racing other groups of students to be the most infectious "plant cell" while replicating viruses using shoe string DNA and pattern block protein coats — the students were the most dynamic part of the program! They made connections, not only with their science units of study, but also to library books they've read, the polygons they've been studying in math, and by asking tough questions.

The soccer players were excited to learn that some viruses (like the rhinovirus that causes the common cold) are Icosahedrons, a 20-sided polygon shaped just like a soccer ball. Some classes missed a recess without complaint, and one young man asked if "Plant Virus Exploration" would come back every day!

Many classes also took advantage of the chance to visit the OSU Microscopy Laboratory and/or the OSU Insectary as a fieldtrip. They met amazing real life scientists, manipulated a Scanning Electron Microscope, and dispelled many myths about insects as they held and petted walking sticks, millipedes, and spiders!

"These fieldtrips have been a wonderful way to extend the 'Plant Virus Exploration' adventure while giving children an immersion experience to learn about exciting careers in science," said Ruth Cavins, Oklahoma WONDERtorium's Executive Director.

As with all of the Museum Without Walls programs offered by the Oklahoma WONDERtorium, "Plant Virus Exploration" is provided completely free of charge to its recipients. A grant from NSF Oklahoma EPSCoR and donations from foundations, corporations and the community supported this program.