Essential Medicines - schools program

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed discussions about the discovery of new medicines and the development of vaccines in the spotlight. In this session aimed at Year 9 & 10 high school classes we will share the links between chemistry, medicines and the importance of access to medicines. 

In a talk delivered by award-winning science communicator Associate Professor Alice Motion from the School of Chemistry at the University of Sydney, we will share some of the chemical stories behind the discovery of new medicines and involve your students in a new citizen science program that aims to help share information about medicines with people all over the world.

You can also find out more about enrolling your school in the Breaking Good Initiative and taking part in a project where students can make new medicines and recreate overpriced medicines.

Students will have chance to participate in the ESSENTIAL MEDICINES hackathon.

Key Curriculum Crossover

NSW Stage 5 Science

• LW3 Advances in scientific understanding often rely on developments in technology, and technological advances are often linked to scientific discoveries.
• SC5-5WS A student produces a plan to investigate identified questions, hypotheses or problems, individually and collaboratively
• SC5-6WS A student undertakes first-hand investigations to collect valid and reliable data and information, individually and collaboratively

ACARA Year 9 & 10 Science

• People use scientific knowledge to evaluate whether they accept claims, explanations or predictions, and advances in science can affect people’s lives, including generating new career opportunities
• Values and needs of contemporary society can influence the focus of scientific research 
• Analyse patterns and trends in data, including describing relationships between variables and identifying inconsistencies
• Critically analyse the validity of information in primary and secondary sources and evaluate the approaches used to solve problems

THE ESSENTIAL MEDICINES PROJECT

Almost all of us have taken medicines at some point in our lives: to take away pain, to make us feel better or to keep us alive. At the Breaking Good Initiative, we look forward to a time when everyone in the world has access to the medicines that they need. As part of National Science Week, we invite you join the ESSENTIAL MEDICINES project and work together with citizen scientists to explore questions of access to medicines in Australia and beyond.

What are the essential medicines?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines the essential medicines as the medicines which 'satisfy the priority health care needs of the population', meaning that people should have access to these medicines at all times, in adequate amounts and at affordable prices. At the Breaking Good Initiative, we realise that this sadly isn't always the case and we want to work with you to find out more about access to medicines for people all over the world.

Want to join our other event?

Sign up for ESSENTIAL MEDICINES - panel discussion on Monday 18 August from 6pm - 9pm

This event is presented by members of the Breaking Good Initiative from the School of Chemistry, University of Sydney and is supported by Inspiring Australia and the Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney.