A collaborative STEM informed resource for teachers of SBI3C
created by Jennifer Baluk, Cheryl Madliger, and Alex Procenko
MICROBIOLOGY LESSON SAMPLES
This series of 2 labs adapted from a case from the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science will allow students to learn proper laboratory techniques and examine the presence of microbes on everyday surfaces, including themselves! These labs are used as a lead-up to the "Microbial Pie" Case Study.
DID YOU WASH YOUR HANDS? &
CLEAN, CLEAN KITCHEN? LABS
"MICROBIAL PIE" CASE STUDY
This interrupted case study from the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science introduces students to the field of epidemiology in an engaging case study that takes places in a hospital emergency room. The case is bisected with another lab, in which students will investigate microbial resistance using the samples obtained from the Clean, Clean Kitche? lab. Students will apply the knowledge gained from the previous labs (Did You Wash Your Hands? and Clean, Clean Kitchen?) and will use critical thinking and problem solving skills to learn about microbial resistance to answer questions in this case study.
In this multi-day lesson, students will listen to two engaging podcasts by Radiolab about the development of antibiotics and the human body's microbiome, respectively. These thought provoking and engaging podcasts will challenge ideas about modern medicine and what students think about microorganisms. Using a KWL chart, a mind map, and guiding questions, students will have the opportunity to develop their critical thinking skills while exploring information they may find contradictory to their own knowledge. Included in this lesson package is a detailed 5-E learning cycle lesson plan, a student workbook, and a marking rubric. This lesson would be appropriate either close to the end of the unit, where students could use knowledge learned throughout the unit to guide their answers, or as an introduction to some of the STSE issues surrounding antibiotics and the medical field.
BA-BA-BACTERIA
HARVEST OF FEAR
In this self-directed lesson, using the interactive "Harvest of Fear" created by PBS Nova, students will learn about genetically modified food- how it is created, and about arguments in support of and against this controversial use of biotechnology. At the end of the lesson, students will have created an informed opinion about genetically modified food. Included in this lesson package is a detailed 5-E learning cycle lesson plan, a student workbook, and a detailed teacher marking guide. This lesson may need to be delivered over two days and is appropriate closer to the end of a unit when discussing STSE applications of microbiology.
