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Video Q&A ViewAttendees 3

Member Symposium

2021 Education and Outreach Adapting to Challenges, Advancing the Science, Transforming the Future

Journey of the germ: A Chrysalis Fund project bringing students closer to the backyard intersection of entomology and virology

Sunday, October 31, 2021

2:48 PM - 3:03 PM MT

Location: Colorado Convention Center, Meeting Room 503-504

Presenting Author(s)

Carol Anne Hagele

Education Specialist
San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District
West Covina, California

Co-Author(s)

LS

Levy Sun

San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District
West Covina, California
KL

Kriztian Luna

San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District
West Covina, California
AG

Alejandra Gaspar

San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District
West Covina, California
PC

Pablo Cabrera

San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District
West Covina, California
Jung Kim

Limited Term Vector Control Technician
San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District
West Covina, California

The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District (SGVMVCD) created Journey of the Germ to fill a need in our educational tool box. This project is an interactive education experience teaching students about the transmission of West Nile Virus — a local public health threat in the San Gabriel Valley each year. Students grades 4-12 explore the intersection of entomology, virology, and public health, following the path of West Nile virus through the suburban Southern California landscape from infected house sparrow, into the gut and other internal tissues of a blood-feeding female Culex quinquefasciatus, and on to unsuspecting humans. Students compare how a difference in temperature affects the replication rate of the virus in the structures and cells of the mosquito, the activities of the mosquito, and the transmission rate to susceptible hosts. Journey of the Germ concludes with an emphasis on each students’ agency in protecting public health by eliminating stagnant water on their property and protecting themselves with repellent. Initial assessment results are pending. More comprehensive assessment information will be available during the presentation. This project was completed in collaboration with researchers from the USDA – ARS in Florida, Texas A & M University, Anastasia Mosquito Control, and our own staff at SGVMVCD and Robot Sea Monster.