I am Jonas Salk
From Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum · 2021
25 minK1st2nd3rd4th5thHealthScienceSocial Studies
Summary
Xavier worries he isn't smart enough to solve a hard problem, but visiting a young Jonas Salk — who developed the polio vaccine and refused to patent it so everyone could have it — reminds him that caring about people is just as important as being clever. The episode (which also features Wilma Rudolph) celebrates generosity and persistence in science.
Viewer safety
All ages
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
Discussion
Jonas Salk created a vaccine that ended polio — and gave it away for free.
- What is a vaccine? Why was a polio vaccine so important in the 1950s?
- Salk could have made a lot of money from his vaccine but didn't. Why do you think he made that choice?
- What does it mean to use your skills to help others?
- What problem in the world would you most like to help solve?
Quick work-a-long
Vocabulary: vaccine, polio, scientist, discovery, patent.
Try it: Write three questions you would ask Jonas Salk if you could meet him. Why would you want to ask each one?