Developed in 2014 by The University of Washington’s Genome Sciences Education Outreach (GSEO), The Diabetes Project curriculum fosters student exploration about the genetic and environmental contributions to this challenging disease at a time when an increase in type 2 diabetes nationally and globally gives meaningful context to learning.

In this unit, students learn about the role of glucose in the body, and how the failure of mechanisms that maintain balance result in chronic high blood glucose levels. Students consider genetic factors that contribute to the disease, as well as environmental factors that influence health, including social, political and economic structures. Throughout the unit, prevention and treatment are emphasized as students learn how good nutrition, exercise, personal choice, public health policies and community engagement can contribute to positive health outcomes.

As a summative assignment, students create a Call to Action project, in which they implement direct, meaningful, and relevant actions in order to make a contribution towards combating diabetes within their community.

For Teachers, we have now created a SeaVuria Diabetes Project Curriculum Page that outlines the Big Ideas of The Diabetes Project and provides sequential lesson plans for use in your classroom!  Take a look at our project page HERE.