SUMMARY
Heman Bekele spent the last year developing a bar of soap that could treat skin cancer. It was the winning entry at the annual 3M Young Scientist Challenge, considered one of the top science and engineering competitions for fifth through eighth graders.
Note: This piece was recorded Friday and the Iowa caucus took place Monday. You can read more about the results here.
For a transcript of this story, click here.
News wrap alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM UP QUESTIONS
- Who is Heman Bekele?
- What is the 3M Young Scientist Challenge?
- How does Bekele's invention work?
- Why did Bekele come up with the idea of a cancer treating soap? What challenge was he responding to?
- When and how did Bekele become interested in science?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Bekele describes his idea for the cancer-treating soap as a "passion project." If you were going to pursue a passion project to help others such as those in your community, what would it be?
Media literacy: Why do you think PBS NewsHour chose to focus on this particular invention?
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?
FOR MORE
What students can do: Want to help solve a problem like Bekele? The first step is identifying what problems need to be solved — and there are quite a few! Sometimes it's best to start with smaller pieces of the puzzle. Bekele's soap wasn't an idea about a new kind of medication for cancer — it was a way to make cancer treatment easier and more affordable. As a class, discuss the following:
- What are some challenges you've noticed people have in your community?
- What are some creative ways to address those challenges?
- What help could you seek out in learning more about the challenge or in making your solution a reality?
To further explore ways you can take on challenges and be creative, see these resources on inventing. Anyone can be an inventor!
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