NCSCE and KQED are partnering on a new pilot project, Do Now U. Do Now U engages undergraduate students in online discussions about current scientific issues through the innovative use of social media.
The Do Now U post, “The Fate of Polio: Eradication or Elimination?,” created by Duke University students Virginia Reid, Celia Mizelle, Andrew Padilla, and Thomas Luo in professor Sherryl Broverman’s course, is now live on KQED’s website.
In their post, Virginia, Celia, Andrew, and Thomas lay out arguments for why Polio–which is now found only in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria–should be eliminated (stopping transmission of the disease in specific geographic areas), or fully eradicated (reaching zero cases worldwide).
Students on and beyond Duke University’s campus, as well as the general public, have joined the debate by commenting on the post’s page, and sharing their thoughts and opinions on social media platforms such as Twitter by using the hashtag #DoNowUPolio.
Join the Conversation!
Do you need a warm up exercise or extra credit assignment for your course? Do you want to expand your class discussion beyond the walls of your lecture hall? Incorporate #DoNowUPolio in your lesson plan.