Class from International Baccalaureate School in Houston Seeks Ebola Education from Global Resilience System

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Fri, 2014-10-03 17:51 — Kathy Gilbeaux

Pictured here are the students in
Ms. Appel’s class in Houston, gathering information on the Ebola virus
from a Global Resilience System volunteer, Kathy Gilbeaux, with their website shown in the background.
Photo Credit: Emma Goerges

On Thursday, a fifth grade class from an International Baccalaureate school in Houston sought answers to their questions regarding the Ebola virus. After a short period of investigating its symptoms, spread, and severity, the students were left with several unanswered questions. Specifically, the students continued to inquire about the origin of Ebola, details of its spread to Texas, in what ways the United States is helping, and Ebola treatment options.

Their teacher, Katie Appel, reached out to the Global Resilience System website to supply the students with interactive maps and graphs, as well as article postings to address the focus of their questions. Additionally, with the help of a knowledge management volunteer with the Global Resilience System, Kathy Gilbeaux, the class engaged in a 45-minute conference call, asking and receiving answers to their questions. The discussion clarified misconceptions, concisely outlined the research on its origin, and brought clarity to the global response to Ebola. Students appreciated the experience and left with a factual foundation upon which to continue their research.

Katie Appel