The term Ecology is derived from οἶκος (Greek "house" or environment), but our habitations usually overlooked in ecology or environmental studies. The expression "at home" usually means safety and comfort, but at home we are under risk of innumerous parasitic/microbial infections and contaminations/ envenomation. During the COVID-19 pandemic we were forced to stay at home, but the virus and other pathogens were also home-delivered. Education for health is highly effective in health promotion, particularly in poor areas. Thus, prophylactic interventions approaching household environment are required. The present activity aims community empowerment and engagement in controlling parasitic diseases and other infections such as Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, malaria, arboviruses etc. Inspired on the use of a house maket by Dr. Virgínia Schall to demonstrate Aedes mosquitoes breeding sites. We also employ house makets displaying pathogen vectors breeding/hiding sites. Although some makets can be opened, revealing intradomiciliary milieu, we intended to offer the public a literally "insider" view of this largely overlooked scenery. The "Interactive House", also known as "House with no viruses and other bugs" is an educative, interactive, ludic device elaborated on an inflatable igloo, with furniture and utensils crafted using reused/recycled or low-cost materials. Live mosquito larvae were placed at peridomicile in water-accumulating plant pot saucer, leaves-clogged gutter, used tire, dog water bowl as well as within the domicile, in the shower drain trap. Evidengue®, crafted in cloth to block mosquito oviposition developed is presented. Participants enjoy taking part in the activity, seem amused, play, laugh and smile while enthusiastically take pictures.
Climate changes (CC) remain a polemic topic, often causing conflicts. Scientific data indicate that the average planet temperature is rising mainly for anthropogenic actions, but this understanding must be widespread to influence the public opinion on attitudes and policymaking. Since our brains did not evolve to respond to slow/complex threats, as CC, we designed rapid, simple, interactive, hands-on educative activities. Inexpensive/reused material was employed to demonstrate the atmospheric alterations effects on global warming. We used plastic cake boxes with analogical thermometers or digital thermohygrometers and CO 2 release by effervescent tablets to mimic the greenhouse effect. The system demonstrates the influence of CO 2 , water vapor, smoke, weather, etc. on the air temperature and humidity. CO 2 enhanced temperatures within the boxes, by up to 6˚C. Interestingly, in the presence of vegetation, increased temperatures were associated with decreased air humidity and simultaneous water condensation on the box cover, apparently indicating increased evaporation and water drop formation. Educators of different disciplines (Earth Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Education, Ecology, etc.) and students can perform simple, transdisciplinary, hands-on activities within 50 min, evaluating different factors on the air temperature, and promoting transdisciplinary discussions during classes. In addition, the public can rapidly grasp CC principles in science fairs, promoting science literacy.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.