Thoughts and Viruses Interdisciplinary Assignment

In this inquiry unit you will be exposed to a number of lectures, tasks, and activities to help you to think deeply about the following questions:

1. How do viruses and thoughts spread in similar ways?

2. In what ways do the spread of ideas and viruses revolutionize/change the world?

At the end of the unit, you will be asked to hand in a journal documenting your notes around these two questions.

You will also be asked  to respond in podcast form to the following 'throughline' question:

What are the two most significant reasons why a thought or virus has a revolutionary impact on people and the world?

To help you respond to these questions, we have organized a number of lectures and activities to aid you in your work.

Wednesday, February 22nd: Trip to Mount Royal to take part in four different presentations by University professors focussing on these questions.

Thursday, February 23rd

Thursday, February 23rd: Grade 8 wide simulation of infection (Mr. Cheng). We will then break out into an individual class follow up discussion using this TedTalk  as well as this TedTalk lectures as a prompt.

Biological and Social Movement Contagion assignments introduced. Grade 8's work in groups of two to complete the two different assignments. Due Thursday, March 1st. 

Friday, February 24th: All grade 8's watch Contagion down in the IAC. Bring your own popcorn!

Homeroom breakout sessions, mind mapping out the conditions and chain of events that allow the virus to spread so rapidly and have the impact it had. 

Monday, February 27th: Mr. Scott and Miss Couillard present 50 at a time on the ideas behind Malcolm Gladwell's: The Tipping Point. How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. 

Tuesday, February 28th: Cafe and discussion forum with Scientists from Mount Royal.

Thursday, March 1st: Biological and Social Movement Contagion assignments due

Monday, March 5th: Podcast reflection due on the 'throughline' question:

What are the two most significant reasons why a thought or virus has a revolutionary impact on people and the world? Provide multiple examples, supporting facts and details to support your response.