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Critical Thinking: Vaccines and Hesitancy
Presented by CMASTE and GlycoNet

This project covered the topics of vaccines, vaccine hesitancy, and the role that science teachers play as key knowledge translators for students. New resources were developed to help teachers to promote scientific literacy while tackling the issues surrounding the COVID pandemic, especially issues surrounding vaccines. These resources are adaptable to all K-12 levels.


Resources: Videos *Updated!*

Science Information Literacy Video Series (general resource)

  • A series of 5 short animated videos you can use to introduce information literacy skills to your students


Short History of Vaccines with slides (for Teachers)

  • Loom video screencast

  • Modifiable slides for teacher use


Resources: Lesson Ideas and Activities *Updated!*

  • (Elementary) The Sad Little Fact - Lesson plan using storybook with activities

  • (Middle/High School) Student Generated Questions around Covid-19 / mRNA Vaccines - Lesson ideas and activities that encourage development of information literacy skills while students try to find answers to their own questions about Covid-19 / mRNA vaccines

  • (Middle/High School) Vaccine Decision Case Studies - Lesson ideas surrounding a series of case studies where students are guided through evidence-based vaccine decisions surrounding several types of vaccines and contexts

  • (Middle/High School) Nature of Science & Questioning with Dr. Lori West - Lesson ideas for Gr. 10-12 which include how to discuss the role of asking questions in science, discussing scientific expertise, and differentiating between "scientific consensus" and public opinion.


The Scientists Speak!

Series of videos and quotes from leading Canadian scientists


Dr. Lori West - Pediatric cardiologist and Canada Research Chair in Cardiac Transplantation, University of Alberta

  • Advice for Teachers for addressing socioscientific issues like COVID-19

  • Considering a Career in Science


Dr. Dawn Bowdish - Immunologist and Canada Research Chair, Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University

  • How to approach conversations with vaccine resistant friends and family

  • Using Stories

  • Considering a Career in Science


Dr. Brian Ward, Vaccine Researcher, McGill University

"“Science and medical science is a really good place for someone who walks around asking questions… and if you’re curious it's a good field to be in”


"I want to encourage people to think and to ask questions and in order to do that they need to feel that they are being listened to - that their concerns are being listened to."


Click HERE for presentation slides from the workshop (33 slides)

The resources that we distribute are copyright free for classroom use. All of our resources are available for free download from our website.