Description

In this unit, Doctors Academy students will be introduced to the growing concern of maternal and infant health issues affecting the valley at a higher rate than much of the country. Students will research the topic, draw conclusions, and formulate possible solutions to address this concern.   

Objectives

  1. By the end of the lesson, students will be able to define preterm birth, identify its symptoms and complications, and demonstrate their understanding through a written summary or class discussion. 

  2. Students will understand the normal development of a fetus and create a visual representation of fetal size at various stages of pregnancy, using materials such as diagrams, models, or digital tools. 

  3. Students will analyze provided readings to become familiar with how preterm birth disproportionately affects Black mothers and babies, summarizing key findings in a reflection paper or group discussion. 

  4. Students will research factors that may contribute to preterm birth, particularly in the San Joaquin Valley, and present their findings in a report or presentation that connects local data to broader trends. 

  5. Students will create a project that identifies a contributing factor to preterm birth and propose ideas for combating this issue, presenting their project through a medium such as a poster, video, or community outreach plan. 

Student Introduction

What is Pre-Term Birth? In this short video, we introduce the important topic of preterm birth. Preterm birth disproportionately affects women in the San Joaquin Valley more than in many other communities across the nation. Through this project, students will gain foundational knowledge, explore the issue in depth, and share ideas on how to address it.

 Share video: Preterm Birth, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment 

Lesson Outlines