THE KNOW HOW
GSI Summer Institute: Learning about Infectious Disease By Demetrice Smith-Mutegi
“The summer of 2020 was like none other!” You can say that again! This summer, we had an unpredictable, but amazing opportunity to learn scientific concepts in a virtual setting. Each week, GSI scholars logged on to engage together at the Virtual GSI Infectious Disease Headquarters. We started off with a brief introduction to epidemiology and the epidemiologic triangle, then we discussed and modeled ways to reduce the spread of infectious agents, which includes adhering to the 20-second hand-washing rule. For two weeks, we engaged in design thinking to create tools that could keep us safe during the season of COVID-19, while enjoying the things we love, such as takeout food and birthday parties. To wrap up our infectious disease training, we conducted a bread mold experiment and simulated the distance a sneeze travels! All in all, we had an educational and fun experience during our virtual sessions. These GSI scholars are now ready to keep themselves and their families safe. Watch out, future epidemiologists and virologists are making their way! Here is a detailed look at one of our experiments this summer, Sneezy Plots. During this experiment, scholars obtained the following materials: a small dropper, washable tempera paint, six sheets of white paper, tape, and a sneeze stool (something to rest the dropper on like a bottomed-up trash can, or a step stool). Most of us completed this experiment outside, so we were sure to find a nice place that would not interfere with others. To set up the sneeze station, we taped all six sheets of paper together lengthwise and placed them in front of our sneeze stool. After setting up our sneeze station, we add a small bit of water to the tempera paint to dilute it, and then we filled the dropper with the paint. Once the dropper was filled, we placed it on the sneeze stool, and then (Ahhh-choo), we sneezed (we pressed the bulb of the dropper). Our sneeze (paint) landed on all six sheets of paper. But where did most of the sneeze droplets land? We predicted that the sneeze would land closest to the sneezer, and that’s what happened! We also found that the sneeze droplets were heavily concentrated on the second, third, and fourth sheets and began to trail off around the sixth sheet (66 inches). Could this be the reason why we should stand 6 feet away?!? 54
August/September 2020
