Systems and System Models

In this modeling exercise, students use their understanding of central dogma to evaluate mRNA vaccine risk in their exploration of the cross-cutting concept “System and System Models”.

One common misconception about vaccines is that these can change one’ s DNA and thus can be dangerous. This is not supported by science and in this modeling exercise students will model central dogma (movement of genetic information from DNA to Protein) and show how mRNA vaccines will interact with this system. mRNA vaccines will serve as a phenomenon for this modeling and students should have a basic understanding of the immune system before this modeling exercise. The modeling would have two parts. First, students would be asked to draw a cell and show how genetic information moves between parts of a cell (this can be scaffolded by giving students the parts that need to be included). Once students have completed this initial model, then they would complete a second model (or modify the first) to show how introducing mRNA (via an mRNA vaccine) would impact this system.

Suggested Modeling Elements: Cells: General, Biomolecule elements: DNA, RNA, and Protein

Suggested Sensemaking Components: Movement/Motion, Flow of Matter