Microbiology lives at the intersection of science and society. Diarrheal diseases and access to clean water, sexually transmitted diseases and sexual health access/education; microbial evolution, outbreaks and vaccination attitudes, the possibilities seem endless. We have developed three course activities associated with primary scientific papers that are accessible to undergraduate students to promote scientific literacy and critical thinking skills, while cultivating discussions on health inequities, and improve students’ cultural and global awareness. Best practices for primary papers and for the creation of inclusive classrooms require some of the same techniques; providing scaffolding of background and terminology, highlighting multiple sources/perspectives and development an environment where individuals are comfortable accepting their own inexperience and listening to the other’s knowledge/experience. We will present the implementation of these through primary papers and associated assignments, student responses to these, and discuss the expansion to other undergraduate classes, including parasitology and genetics.
