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COVID-19 Vaccines – How do they work?

Graphs of antibody responses after exposure to coronavirus

Students learn that vaccination or a previous coronavirus infection reduces the risk of severe Covid-19.

They learn how the immune system responds to a coronavirus infection and analyze how this response differs after a first vs. second exposure to the coronavirus.

Then, students analyze the biological effects of an mRNA vaccine and develop an evidence-based explanation of how vaccination protects against severe Covid-19.


The Student Handout is available in the first two attached files and as a Google doc designed for use in distance learning and online instruction. The Teacher Notes, available in the third and fourth attached files, provide instructional suggestions and background information and explain how this activity is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. The PowerPoint, available in the last attached file, shows recent trends in Covid-19 hospitalization and mortality for vaccinated vs. unvaccinated people in the US.

AttachmentSize
coronavirus vaccine SHO .docx2.58 MB
coronavirus vaccine SHO .pdf736.84 KB
coronavirus vaccine TN.docx2.55 MB
coronavirus vaccine TN.pdf1020.58 KB
Covid-19 Vaccines.pptx728.57 KB
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Comments

iwaldron's picture

2022 revision

Submitted by iwaldron on Tue, 09/13/2022 - 6:43am.

I have updated the Teacher Notes to incorporate relevant recent research findings. I have also revised parts of the Student Handout to improve student engagement and understanding.
Ingrid

Ann Dixon's picture

2 minute video animation

Submitted by Ann Dixon on Thu, 12/02/2021 - 2:23pm.

We recommend this animated video from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Vaccine Makers Project:

https://vimeo.com/579667076

iwaldron's picture

Another useful video on mRNA vaccines

Submitted by iwaldron on Thu, 12/02/2021 - 3:30pm.

I also recommend “How mRNA Vaccines Work – Simply Explained” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOvvyqJ-vwo).

Ingrid

iwaldron's picture

November 2021 revision

Submitted by iwaldron on Wed, 11/10/2021 - 8:46am.

The Teacher Notes have been extensively revised to incorporate new information from the abundant recent research on vaccines and immune responses. In addition, I have revised the Student Handout, including clarified questions and improved figures to enhance student understanding.
Ingrid

iwaldron's picture

March 2021 revision

Submitted by iwaldron on Wed, 03/24/2021 - 5:06am.

The Teacher Notes have been substantially revised to include major developments through March 23, 2021. In the Student Handout, the main updates are inclusion of more recent references for the student research project.
Ingrid

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Authors

Dr. Ingrid Waldron is Professor Emerita in the Biology Department at the University of Pennsylvania. Co-authors include Dr. Jennifer Doherty, who is an Assistant Professor in the Physiology Department at Michigan State University, and Dr. Lori Spindler, who is a Lecturer in the Biology Department at the University of Pennsylvania. They have developed these activities in collaboration with colleagues at Penn and middle school and high school teachers in the Philadelphia area. We are grateful to Craig Douglas for his generous help with graphics.

 

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