As part of “Healthy Coexistence Week” (German: Woche des gesunden Miteinanders), the Helmholtz Institute for One Health (HIOH), together with two projects from the One Health Region Vorpommern initiative, visited Pestalozzi Elementary School in Torgelow. Around 100 second-graders embarked on a journey of discovery to explore the interplay between the health of humans, animals, and their environment.
At two stations, the students were able to experience current scientific topics in a child-friendly way. At the “One Health – Eine Gesundheit” station, interactive presentations, creative painting activities, and a One Health puzzle playfully demonstrated how closely the protection of nature and animal health are linked to our own health. During a joint search for clues, the students learned how we can detect the presence of various animals and what role ticks, for example, play as disease vectors.
The “hygiene” station focused on the invisible world of microorganisms. Using an easy-to-understand experiment with glitter, the session demonstrated how germs spread while also conveying the importance of thorough handwashing. The complex topic of the development of antimicrobial resistance was then explained to the children through an active movement game. This playful approach made it possible to clearly explain the responsible use of antibiotics.
The Helmholtz Institute for One Health in Greifswald would like to thank the Pestalozzi Elementary School in Torgelow and everyone involved for the successful project day, which brought science to life for children, as well as the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR) for its funding. The event took place as part of the OH-KAMR and CiFly projects. The OH-KAMR project focused in particular on raising awareness of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and the responsible use of antibiotics. CiFly complemented the day with insights into current One Health research.
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