Blood Detectives: A Medical Mystery
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as blood detectives, use our knowledge of blood components, blood types, and blood analysis techniques to solve a medical mystery and diagnose a patient, while also considering the ethical implications of our decisions?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What are the main components of blood and their functions?
- How does blood contribute to the body's ability to maintain homeostasis?
- What are the different blood types and how are they determined?
- How can blood analysis be used to diagnose medical conditions?
- What are the ethical considerations related to blood transfusions and blood testing?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Understand the components and functions of blood.
- Explain how blood helps maintain homeostasis.
- Learn about different blood types and their determination.
- Use blood analysis to diagnose medical conditions.
- Consider ethical issues in blood transfusions and testing.
NGSS
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsThe Case of the Ailing Athlete
A star athlete collapses during practice, and initial tests are inconclusive. Students receive the athlete's mysterious symptoms and preliminary blood work results, prompting them to investigate further and diagnose the condition using their knowledge of blood components and functions.Crime Scene Investigation: The Blood Spatter Analysis
A mock crime scene is presented where blood spatter patterns are the key to solving the case. Students analyze the size, shape, and distribution of blood droplets to reconstruct the events, learning about blood properties and forensic science techniques in the process.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Blood Type Detectives: Unmasking the ABO System
Students will learn about the different blood types (A, B, AB, O) and how they are determined by the presence or absence of antigens. They will also explore the importance of blood typing for transfusions.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation explaining blood types, antigens, antibodies, and the importance of compatibility in blood transfusions. Participation in a blood typing simulation.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Learn about different blood types and their determination. Directly answers the question: What are the different blood types and how are they determined?Diagnose the Athlete: Blood Analysis Report
Students will analyze a provided blood analysis report from the ailing athlete, using their knowledge of blood components and normal ranges to identify abnormalities and propose a diagnosis.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA diagnostic report interpreting the blood analysis report, proposing a diagnosis for the athlete, and justifying the diagnosis with evidence.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Use blood analysis to diagnose medical conditions. Aligns with MS-LS1-3 by using evidence to support a diagnosis.Blood Component Breakdown
Students will identify and describe the main components of blood (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, plasma) and their respective functions within the body.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed chart and labeled diagram of blood components with descriptions of their functions.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Understand the components and functions of blood. Aligns with MS-LS1-2 by modeling the function of cells within the blood.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioBlood Detectives: Solving the Medical Mystery Rubric
Blood Component Knowledge
Understanding the structure and function of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.Component Identification
Accurately identifying and describing the four main blood components.
Exemplary
4 PointsAccurately identifies and comprehensively describes all four blood components (red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma), including detailed functions and structural features. Demonstrates sophisticated understanding.
Proficient
3 PointsAccurately identifies and describes all four blood components, including their main functions. Demonstrates thorough understanding.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies most of the blood components but provides incomplete or partially inaccurate descriptions of their functions. Shows emerging understanding.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify the blood components and provides minimal or inaccurate descriptions. Shows initial understanding.
Function Explanation
Explaining the role of each component in maintaining overall health and homeostasis.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a detailed and insightful explanation of how each blood component contributes to overall health and homeostasis, including specific examples and connections to bodily systems. Demonstrates sophisticated understanding.
Proficient
3 PointsClearly explains how each blood component contributes to overall health and homeostasis. Demonstrates thorough understanding.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic explanation of how blood components contribute to health but lacks detail or specific examples. Shows emerging understanding.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to explain the role of blood components in maintaining health. Shows initial understanding.
Blood Type Understanding
Knowledge of ABO blood types, antigens, antibodies, and transfusion compatibility.Blood Type Explanation
Explaining how blood types are determined by antigens and antibodies.
Exemplary
4 PointsProvides a comprehensive and clear explanation of how blood types (A, B, AB, and O) are determined by the presence or absence of specific antigens and the role of antibodies. Demonstrates sophisticated understanding and provides accurate examples.
Proficient
3 PointsClearly explains how blood types are determined by antigens and antibodies. Demonstrates thorough understanding.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic explanation of blood types and the role of antigens and antibodies, but may have some inaccuracies or lack detail. Shows emerging understanding.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to explain how blood types are determined. Shows initial understanding.
Transfusion Compatibility
Understanding the importance of blood type compatibility in transfusions.
Exemplary
4 PointsClearly and accurately explains why blood type compatibility is crucial for transfusions, including potential consequences of incompatibility (e.g., agglutination, immune response). Demonstrates sophisticated understanding and provides accurate examples.
Proficient
3 PointsExplains why blood type compatibility is crucial for transfusions. Demonstrates thorough understanding.
Developing
2 PointsProvides a basic explanation of the importance of blood type compatibility but may lack specific details or examples. Shows emerging understanding.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to explain the importance of blood type compatibility in transfusions. Shows initial understanding.
Blood Analysis and Diagnosis
Analyzing blood analysis reports to identify abnormalities and propose a diagnosis.Abnormality Identification
Identifying values outside the normal range in a blood analysis report.
Exemplary
4 PointsAccurately identifies all significant abnormalities in the blood analysis report, demonstrating a strong understanding of normal ranges and their implications. Provides insightful interpretations.
Proficient
3 PointsAccurately identifies most abnormalities in the blood analysis report. Demonstrates thorough understanding.
Developing
2 PointsIdentifies some abnormalities in the blood analysis report but may miss some key indicators. Shows emerging understanding.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to identify abnormalities in the blood analysis report. Shows initial understanding.
Diagnostic Reasoning
Proposing a potential diagnosis based on the identified abnormalities and providing justification.
Exemplary
4 PointsProposes a well-reasoned and plausible diagnosis based on the identified abnormalities, providing strong justification with evidence from the blood analysis report and relevant scientific knowledge. Demonstrates exceptional critical thinking.
Proficient
3 PointsProposes a reasonable diagnosis based on the identified abnormalities and provides justification with evidence. Demonstrates effective critical thinking.
Developing
2 PointsProposes a possible diagnosis but the justification is weak or incomplete. Demonstrates basic critical thinking.
Beginning
1 PointsStruggles to propose a diagnosis or provide any justification. Demonstrates minimal critical thinking.