Little Scientists, Big Discoveries – One Health at Pestalozzi Primary School in Torgelow

As part of the “Week of Healthy Togetherness”, the Helmholtz Institute for One Health (HIOH), together with two projects from the initiative The One Health Region Vorpommern visited Pestalozzi Primary School in Torgelow. Around 100 second-grade pupils embarked on a journey of discovery to explore the connections between human, animal and environmental health.

At two activity stations, the pupils had the opportunity to explore current scientific topics in an age-appropriate way. At the “One Health – One Health for All” station, interactive presentations, creative drawing activities and a One Health puzzle helped children understand how closely nature conservation and animal health are connected to our own health. During a hands-on investigation, the pupils learned how to detect the presence of different animal species and explored the role of ticks, for example, in transmitting diseases.

The “Hygiene” station focused on the invisible world of microorganisms. A simple experiment using glitter demonstrated how germs spread while highlighting the importance of thorough handwashing. The complex topic of how antimicrobial resistance develops was then introduced through an interactive movement game. This playful approach helped the children understand the importance of using antibiotics responsibly.

The Helmholtz Institute for One Health (HIOH) in Greifswald would like to thank Pestalozzi Primary School in Torgelow and everyone involved for a successful project day that brought science to life for children. The Institute also extends its thanks to the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) for its funding. The activities were organised as part of the OH-KAMR and CiFly projects. OH-KAMR focused particularly on raising awareness of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and the responsible use of antibiotics, while CiFly provided insights into current One Health research.