***NEWS RELEASE***
Three CMS students had the unique opportunity to interview two Subject Matter Experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Penicillin and the Bubonic Plague.
Each year Centreville Middle School (CMS) Seventh Grade Social Studies teacher Mr. Andy Anders has his students complete an in-depth research project following the National History Day (NHD) rules and guidelines. NHD is a competition in which students in grades 6-12 pick a topic related to a yearly theme. Students use critical thinking, writing, and research skills to present their conclusions and evidence by creating papers, exhibits, performances, documentaries, or websites. Students compete at each level to advance towards the National Competition.
This year, Mr. Anders asked his students to find resources or experts that they might be able to interview to add to their research. After brainstorming and collaborating, Avery, Natalie, and Amelia came to the conclusion that the CDC would be the best source for information on their respective topics. The students drafted an email and Mr. Anders sent it off to the CDC. Much to their surprise, they not only received a response, but a generous offer from the CDC to coordinate an interview with two Subject Matter Experts on Penicillin and the Bubonic Plague!
On December 19, 2023, Queen Anne’s County Television (QACTV) invited Avery, Natalie, and Amelia to their studios. Host and producer Bruce Grove moderated Avery and Natalie’s interview with Lt. Sam Cincotta. Lt. Cincotta is a pharmacist and a commissioned Corps Officer in the United States Public Health Service. He is stationed at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention where he works as an epidemiologist on the Antimicrobial Resistance team. His main role is to track and slow the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms.
Amelia then interviewed Christina Nelson, MD, MPH. Dr. Nelson is a Medical Officer in CDC’s Division of Vector-Borne Diseases in Fort Collins, Colorado. She is board certified in both pediatrics and preventive medicine. Dr. Nelson specializes in vector-borne bacterial diseases including plague, tularemia, and Lyme disease. Dr. Nelson has been deployed for CDC’s Emergency Operations Center for multiple Zika virus and COVID-19 public health responses. She continues to practice pediatrics at an urgent care clinic in Fort Collins.
Avery, Natalie, and Amelia asked great questions and received a wealth of information from Lt. Cincotta and Dr. Nelson to further their research for their NHD projects. QACPS would like to thank the CDC and QACTV for creating such a wonderful opportunity for our students. Be sure to look for QACTV’s full video, which will be released very soon!
Download the PDF version of this news release here.