Microorganisms

Welcome: Microorganisms

Description: Students will learn about harmful microorganisms

Grade Level: 5

Curriculum: Science

Wanted posters are very efficient means of catching criminals because they warn people.  They (hopefully) bring criminals to justice, and they show the community who the criminals are.  The same can be true of announcing microorganisms that are wanted either because they are beneficial or they are harmful.  The purpose of this webquest is to help students understand how microorganisms can be harmful.

You are a microbiologist who studies microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, algae, fungi, and some types of parasites. You have been ask to speak at a health convention.  Your task is to educate people about certain  harmful microorganisms. You are to research a microorganism, create a wanted poster, and produce a 5 paragraph paper (from your research) to present at the health convention.

• 
• You will research one microorganism. Then you will use the internet to gather resources to create a wanted poster.  Lastly, you will write  a 5 paragraph report in your science journals explaining your findings of the microorganisms which you will present to the medical world.
  

Materials needed:

Computer/Chromebook

1- poster

Markers

Crayons

Science Journals

Task 1

*Each day the students will use chrome books or go to the computer lab and research the microorganism they chose.  They will use pre-selected websites selected by the teacher. 

Task 2:  

Part 1: Choose a bacteria or virus from the list provided

Listed below are several bacteria and the disease they cause. Pick any one bacteria/disease to research. It is highly recommended that you pick a few, learn a little about each one, and then pick one to study.

                   Disease                                Pathogen                           Type of Microbe

Common cold                       Rhinovirus                                      Virus

Influenza                              Influenza Virus                                  Virus

Poliomyelitis                         Polio Virus                               Virus

Small Pox                             Vairiola                                   Virus

Measles                                Measles                                   Virus

Chicken Pox                          Varicella                                 Virus

Ebola                                    Ebola Virus                              Virus

Cold Sores                            Herpes Simples Virus               Virus

Shingles                                Varicella Zoster                       Virus

Anthrax                                 Bacillus Anthracis                    Virus

Whooping Cough                   Bordetella Pertussis                 Bacteria

Meningitis                             Hemophilus Influenzae             Bacteria

Tuberculosis                         Mycobacterium Tuberculosis     Bacteria

Typhoid Fever                      Salmonella Typhi                      Bacteria

Pneumonia                           Streptococcus Mutans               Bacteria

Scarlet Fever                       Streptococcus (group A)            Bacteria

Impetigo                             Streptococcus Pyogenes            Bacteria

Lyme Disease                      Borellia Burgdorferi                   Bacteria

Conjunctivitis (Pinkeye)       Haemophilus Aegyptius              Bacteria

Part Two:

Purpose:  students will learn what disease the pathogens causes and how they affect humans

As your conduct research on your bacteria make sure you focus on these topics to help complete the wanted poster.

1. A picture of the bacteria
2. Description of bacteria (shape, characteristics, etc.)
3. How the bacteria/disease spreads
4. Where the bacteria is often found (ex: body fluids, spoiled foods, etc.)
5. What symptoms an infected person has
6. The best cure to the infection
7. Who the bacteria targets or who is most likely to be infected (kids, adults, elderly, those who eat raw food, etc.)

Part Three: Research

Websites to use to help you research your microorganism:

Centers for disease control

http://www.cdc.gov/

http://www.foodsafety.gov/poisoning/causes/bacteriaviruses/index.html

http://www.ppdictionary.com/

https://www.merckmanuals.com/home

MedicineNet.com

http://www.medicinenet.com/diseases  and  conditions/article.h

Note:    (Try entering your bacterium's name into the search this site.)

NIH-Nationsl Institute Health-X-plain

http://www.nih.gov/

(Try entering your bacterium's name into the search at this site.)

They then will then complete thier research as a rough draft.  Then they will transfer that information onto their poster.

Task 3: (poster creation)

 Instructions for completing your product (poster)

Your poster must contain all of the following details:

1. Title

    *Ex-Wanted "Listeria"

    *Scientific Name

2. Mug Shot

    *Draw, print, or cut out a microscopic picture of the bacterium

      *add a picture of the bacteria in action (victim under attack)

      *label the parts of the bacgterium (ex. cell wall, flagella, etc.)

3. Attacks

    *Body systems it attacks (Nervous, Muscle, Respiratory,Circulatory, etc.)

    *Different types of infections - is thre more than one type?

    *How is it transmitted (air, water droplets, contact injestion, blood, etc.)

4. Victims

    *Who is most at risk

    *What types of workers have bbeen exposed (Carpenters, soldiers,          

        medical, etc.)

5. Crime

    *Injury to victim (symptoms) (ex. fever, swelling, pain, loss of

     consciousness, etc.)

    *Damage to the body (ex. tissue damage, loss of body parts, death, etc.)

6. Hideout    *Where it can be found-where would a person come in contact with the       bacteria7. Weapons    *Ways to defend yourself from contracting this disease    *Pervention (ex. immunization, hand washing, etc.)

8. Other details    *Make sure  your poste is colorful    *Name, date, and period go on the back of your poster

Task 4

Your will transfer your researched information onto the poster (refer to task 3).

Task 5

You will use your research to complete your written report (5 paragraphs) on the microorganism you will present to the medical world at the health convention.

Unit 1

Cells and Microorganisms

Culminating Activity: Wanted Poster

Name_________________________________                     Date_______________________

Grading Rubric:

Na

This is the end of the webquest!  As an expert and being able to inform and educate others of harmful microorganisms,  you are now ready to present your information to the health world.

Congratulations!