On Friday, students in G29 were excited to embark on a new expedition, diving into the guiding question, “How can we continue to make progress in public health?” Their expedition is titled “You Give Me Fever”, and it promises to be both engaging and insightful, with a focus on three important case studies:
- How do living conditions impact public health?
- How can government structures and technology improve health?
- What can we do to mitigate the impact of the cost of living crisis on the health of the people in Gateshead?
Throughout this 16-week expedition, students will explore the history and evolution of public health, from the Medieval Period to the modern day. The expedition will focus on key factors affecting health, such as wealth, poverty, science, technology, and the role of government. Students will also examine these themes through the lenses of both history and science, allowing them to conduct a human geography study of their local area.
As part of their local study, the students will look into the most prevalent diseases in Gateshead and the risk factors that contribute to them. A key focus this year will be on the impact of smoking and vaping on public health. In the immersion phase, students have already read “Tobacco: A Smoking Gun”, a report by Alice Wiseman, Gateshead’s Director of Public Health. This will serve as a springboard for students to research and write their own reports, which will be showcased at G29’s Point of Learning (PoL) event on May 9th, details to follow.
As part of their expedition, students will also learn key GCSE content in both science and history, integrating their understanding of the scientific and historical aspects of public health. By the end of the expedition, students will have gained a deeper understanding of how various factors shape public health policies and practices, both globally and in their local community.
Stay tuned for more updates as the students continue their exploration into the important field of public health!
Find a link of the full expedition here – smap
