Implementation of a Service-Learning Project Focused on Handwashing and Vaccinations Within an Undergraduate Microbiology Laboratory Course.

Beth A Potter

doi:10.3389/fmicb.2021.587094

Abstract

Two relevant topics in keeping populations healthy are handwashing and vaccinations. Thus, the service-learning project titled “We Are Healthy” campaign was introduced within a microbiology laboratory course with two objectives; our biologists would better understand the importance of these actions by designing activities that engage the student community and to obtain an understanding of the campus community’s behaviors and beliefs concerning these topics. Students designed the campaign to include handwashing stations, pictures of bacterial cultures from swabbing common surfaces, and trivia questions testing their peers’ knowledge of various vaccines, as well as handwashing and vaccination surveys. To assess the impact of the campaign on microbiology students (n = 34), they were provided 10 questions that were scored on a scale from 1 to 5 (1 = strongly disagree; 5 = strongly agree). Student gains (score > 3) were reported for depth in knowledge, development of better public speaking skills, and greater respect for volunteers suggesting that the campaign was beneficial. This study subsequently led to the receiving of grants that allowed the continuation of the campaign within the course, the securing of funding for handwashing and hand sanitizing stations and the initiation of new undergraduate research projects.

Highlights

It is likely that the words “experience” and “leadership” are mentioned multiple times in a typical advising appointment that is focused on career goals
Twenty-five years ago, most lectures consisted of a one-sided, continuous dialog by the instructor and laboratories were designed to provide specific results through a cookie-cutter-type design; students were most likely instructed to gain experience and leadership through extracurricular formats via undergraduate research opportunities, jobs, and organizations/clubs
Active engagement within these CUREs works to build strong science foundations by focusing on students gaining a deeper understanding of the scientific process as well as Service-Learning Project in Microbiology analytical/technical skills (Thiry et al, 2011; Auchincloss et al, 2014)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

It is likely that the words “experience” and “leadership” are mentioned multiple times in a typical advising appointment that is focused on career goals. By embedding real research projects within classroom laboratories, all students were inevitably pushed into the driver seat of their education through the exploration of novel research questions Active engagement within these CUREs works to build strong science foundations by focusing on students gaining a deeper understanding of the scientific process as well as. To provide students with the best resume for success, undergraduate experiences should not be confined by classroom/laboratory walls and should inspire biologists to become leaders within their field and within their community (Hart, 2015; Webb, 2016; McGowin and Teed, 2019) This is especially important in current times where most would not disagree that there is a disconnection between scientific research and the media. The campaign was introduced within a microbiology laboratory course with two objectives; our biologists would better understand the importance of these actions by designing activities that engage the student community and obtain an understanding of the campus community’s behaviors and beliefs concerning these topics

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Results and Discussion

ETHICS STATEMENT