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Middle

Lesson 4

On the Shoulders of Heroes: Toward a World without Polio

Students study the scientific process as it relates to our historical understanding of polio. Students work in groups to research scientists or teams of scientists and understand who discovered what, when, where, and why. Groups pool their data to create a class timeline and map, then draw conclusions about how various discoveries relate to one another and how science progresses. The lesson concludes with a class discussion about how the activities illustrate the scientific process of gaining new knowledge.

Lesson Questions

  • What are the causes and consequences of polio?
  • How did scientists apply the scientific method to creating a polio vaccine?

Lesson Files

Lesson Resources