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Dr. Jonas Salk - Using Knowledge to Protect and Improve Lives

  • Apr 24
  • 2 min read

Updated: May 1

Grade Level: 6-12

Duration of Video: 3 minutes, 23 seconds

Themes:

  • Innovation

  • Responsibility

  • Ethics

  • Public health

  • Problem solving

  • Scientific impact

  • Using knowledge

  • US history





Children receive oral polio vaccine during a public health campaign, helping protect communities from the spread of disease.

Children receive oral polio vaccine during a public health campaign, helping protect communities from the spread of disease. Source: CDC Public Health Image Library (PHIL), Image 29573.



Description:

Students learn about Dr. Jonas Salk, a scientist who developed the polio vaccine. Through video, discussion, and analysis, students examine how scientific knowledge, persistence, and ethical decision-making contributed to a major public health breakthrough. Salk was a Jewish American whose identity and experiences shaped his life and work. Students consider how individuals can use knowledge responsibly and evaluate how solutions impact society.



Lesson Plan:


🎯 OBJECTIVES (SWBAT)

  • Explain who Jonas Salk was and the significance of the polio vaccine

  • Analyze how scientific discovery can impact society

  • Evaluate ethical decisions in scientific work

  • Reflect on how individuals can use knowledge responsibly


🧰 MATERIALS:


📋 LESSON FLOW

  1. Hook


    Teacher writes:


    “What responsibility do people have when they discover something that can help others?” 


    Discuss with the class.


    Say: 


    “Today, we will learn about a famous Jewish American scientist who helped others. His name was Dr. Jonas Salk.”


  2. Video Time


    Teacher asks before showing the film:


    “As you watch this video about Dr. Jonas Salk, consider what problem he was trying to solve and how his solution impacted society.”


    Play video: Jonas Salk, the polio virus and the vaccine


  3. Teach & Discuss


    Ask:

    • What was polio?

    • Why was it such a serious problem at the time?

    • What challenges do you think Dr. Salk faced while trying to solve this problem?


  4. Partner Activity


    Distribute Student Worksheet 1: Understanding Impact and Responsibility (Printed for each student or digital copy)


    Students work together to complete Student Worksheet 1: Understanding Impact and Responsibility


  5. Reflection


    Reunite class and invite students to share their ideas.


  6. Exit Ticket


    On an index card answer the following: Why was Dr. Salk’s decision not to patent the vaccine important? 








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All materials on this website are available for educational use under Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Educators may download and share the content with attribution, for non-commercial use and instructional purposes, and without modification. Embedding any materials within any website-whether educational, institutional, public, or private-is prohibited without prior written consent of Balanced Learning Resources. Unauthorized embedding or redistribution may violate copyright and licensing terms.


©  2025-2026
All materials on this website are available for educational use under Creative Commons License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Educators may download and share the content with attribution, for non-commercial use and instructional purposes, and without modification. Embedding any materials within any website-whether educational, institutional, public, or private-is prohibited without prior written consent of Balanced Learning Resources. Unauthorized embedding or redistribution may violate copyright and licensing terms.

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