Microorganisms and Infection Control Unit Plan
Created byVickie Jeffcoat-Hayes
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Microorganisms and Infection Control Unit Plan

Grade 11Health4 days
This project-based learning experience engages 11th-grade health students in understanding microorganisms and infection control. Through inquiry and hands-on activities, students explore the differences between pathogens and non-pathogens, examine aerobic and anaerobic organisms, and understand the function of antibiotics. The project emphasizes critical thinking about infection control measures, the roles of microorganisms in disease transmission, and their overall impact on community health.
MicroorganismsInfection ControlPathogensAntibioticsDisease TransmissionHealthcareHealth Education
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can understanding the differences between microorganisms, such as pathogens and non-pathogens, as well as the functioning of antibiotics, be utilized to improve infection control and promote better health outcomes in our community?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What are the fundamental differences between pathogens and non-pathogens, and how do they impact human health?
  • How do aerobic and anaerobic organisms differ, and why is this distinction important in the context of infections?
  • In what ways do antibiotics function to treat bacterial infections, and why are they ineffective against viral infections?
  • What roles do viruses, protozoa, and parasites play in disease transmission and impact on human health?
  • Why is infection control a critical component in healthcare, and how can understanding of microorganisms aid in preventing disease spread?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will be able to differentiate between pathogens and non-pathogens and explain their impact on human health.
  • Students will understand the differences between aerobic and anaerobic organisms and their relevance to infections.
  • Students will evaluate the function of antibiotics in treating bacterial infections and understand why they do not work against viruses.
  • Students will identify the roles of viruses, protozoa, and parasites in disease transmission and their impact on human health.
  • Students will recognize the importance of infection control measures in healthcare and how understanding microorganisms aids in preventing disease spread.

Health Education - Infection Control Standards

11-12.2.3
Primary
Analyze the role of pathogens and non-pathogens in human health, including the impact of aerobic and anaerobic organisms.Reason: The analysis of pathogens and non-pathogens, aerobic and anaerobic organisms aligns with understanding their differences and impact on human health.
11-12.2.4
Primary
Evaluate the effectiveness of antibiotics in treating bacterial infections and the reasons for their ineffectiveness against viral infections.Reason: Evaluating how antibiotics work and their limitations aligns directly with learning about bacterial and viral infections.

Common Core - Health Science

HSS.IC.1
Secondary
Understand the importance of infection control measures in healthcare settings and how they prevent disease spread.Reason: Understanding infection control measures aligns with the driving question about improving health outcomes through infection control knowledge.

Health Education - Pathogen Standards

H.2.6.3
Primary
Explain the roles of viruses, protozoa, and parasites in disease transmission.Reason: Explaining these microorganisms' roles in disease transmission aligns with several essential questions about their impacts on health.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Survivor: Pathogen Island

Imagine students are castaways on Pathogen Island where they must survive by learning which microorganisms pose threats and which offer survival benefits. This scenario encourages collaborative problem-solving and paves the way for deeper inquiry into microbiomes, healthcare practices, and infection control methods.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Pathogen and Non-Pathogen Explorer

Students will dive into the world of microorganisms to understand the differences between pathogens and non-pathogens. They'll analyze how these organisms impact human health and categorize various examples.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research basic definitions of pathogens and non-pathogens using textbooks and online resources.
2. Create a chart listing examples of each, describing their role in human health.
3. Participate in a class discussion to share findings and clarify misunderstandings.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive chart differentiating pathogens from non-pathogens with examples and impacts on health.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with standard 11-12.2.3: Understanding the role of pathogens and non-pathogens in human health.
Activity 2

Oxygen or No O2: Bacteria Showcase

Students will investigate aerobic and anaerobic organisms to comprehend how these differences affect infections. They will explore environments where each thrives, enhancing their understanding of infection contexts.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Study the characteristics of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria through provided materials.
2. Design a poster displaying examples of each type of bacteria and how they thrive in specific environments.
3. Present your poster to the class, explaining your examples and the significance of these organisms in infections.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn educational poster showcasing aerobic and anaerobic bacteria with examples and infection relevance.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with standard 11-12.2.3: Analyzing the impact of aerobic and anaerobic organisms on health.
Activity 3

Antibiotics: Fact vs. Myth

This activity allows students to dissect how antibiotics function in treating bacterial infections and explore why they are ineffective against viruses, addressing common misconceptions.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Read articles on how antibiotics work and why they aren't effective against viruses.
2. Create a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting the impact of antibiotics on bacteria versus viruses.
3. Write a brief essay dispelling common myths about antibiotics and their limitations.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA Venn diagram and essay clarifying antibiotics' role in treating bacterial but not viral infections.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with standard 11-12.2.4: Evaluating the effectiveness of antibiotics and their limitations.
Activity 4

Infection Control Champions

Students explore the importance of infection control in healthcare settings, understanding how these measures prevent disease spread and promote community health.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Investigate various infection control measures through case studies and research findings.
2. Develop a plan outlining effective infection control strategies tailored for a healthcare scenario.
3. Present your plan in a group discussion, highlighting how these strategies prevent disease spread.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityAn action plan for infection control in a healthcare scenario, demonstrating understanding of preventive measures.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with standard HSS.IC.1: Understanding infection control measures to prevent disease spread.
Activity 5

Microorganism Impact Investigators

In this investigative activity, students will delve into the roles of viruses, protozoa, and parasites in disease transmission, examining their significant impacts on human health.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research case studies of diseases caused by viruses, protozoa, and parasites.
2. Analyze how these microorganisms spread and their effects on populations.
3. Create a presentation detailing the transmission and impact of a selected microorganism.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA presentation detailing a microorganism's role in disease transmission and its impact on human health.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with standard H.2.6.3: Explaining roles of viruses, protozoa, and parasites in disease transmission.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Health Education - Infection Control Portfolio Assessment Rubric

Category 1

Understanding Microorganisms

Assessment of students' comprehension of pathogens, non-pathogens, aerobic and anaerobic organisms, and their influence on human health.
Criterion 1

Pathogen and Non-Pathogen Comprehension

Ability to differentiate pathogens from non-pathogens and articulate their roles and impacts on human health.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates sophisticated understanding with a comprehensive, accurate chart that distinguishes pathogens from non-pathogens using clear examples and detailed impact analysis on human health.

Proficient
3 Points

Shows thorough understanding, creating a clear and accurate chart with relevant examples and analysis of impacts on human health.

Developing
2 Points

Displays emerging understanding with a basic chart and some relevant examples, though analysis of health impacts may lack depth.

Beginning
1 Points

Exhibits initial understanding with an incomplete chart and few examples, requiring additional support to understand health impacts.

Criterion 2

Aerobic and Anaerobic Knowledge

Understanding and explanation of the roles of aerobic and anaerobic organisms in infections.

Exemplary
4 Points

Displays exceptional knowledge with a creative poster that accurately explains aerobic and anaerobic organisms, their examples, and infection relevance.

Proficient
3 Points

Shows solid understanding with a well-organized poster that explains aerobic and anaerobic organisms accurately with clear examples.

Developing
2 Points

Illustrates basic knowledge with a poster that includes some relevant examples but lacks comprehensive explanation of infection relevance.

Beginning
1 Points

Demonstrates limited understanding with an incomplete or poorly explained poster requiring further development.

Category 2

Application of Antibiotics Knowledge

Evaluation of students' ability to analyze and communicate the function and limitations of antibiotics.
Criterion 1

Antibiotics Conceptual Understanding

Analysis of how antibiotics treat bacterial infections and why they are ineffective against viruses.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides an insightful Venn diagram and essay with a deep analysis of antibiotics, dispelling myths with clarity and precision.

Proficient
3 Points

Presents a clear Venn diagram and essay with a strong analysis of antibiotics, addressing key myths adequately.

Developing
2 Points

Shows basic analysis with a developed essay and Venn diagram but lacks depth in dispelling common myths.

Beginning
1 Points

Provides minimal analysis with an incomplete Venn diagram and essay, showing confusion about antibiotics' roles.

Category 3

Infection Control Measures Application

Assessment of students' development and understanding of effective infection control strategies.
Criterion 1

Infection Control Strategy Development

Ability to create and present a comprehensive infection control plan tailored to a healthcare scenario.

Exemplary
4 Points

Develops a highly effective, comprehensive infection control plan with innovative strategies and presents it compellingly.

Proficient
3 Points

Creates a well-structured infection control plan with effective strategies, demonstrated clearly during presentation.

Developing
2 Points

Produces a basic infection control plan with some relevant strategies but lacks comprehensiveness in presentation.

Beginning
1 Points

Creates an underdeveloped infection control plan with limited strategies, requiring further guidance for clarity and effectiveness.

Category 4

Microorganism Impact Understanding

Assessment of students' ability to analyze and communicate the roles of microorganisms in disease transmission and their impacts.
Criterion 1

Roles of Microorganisms in Disease

Evaluation of understanding how viruses, protozoa, and parasites contribute to disease transmission and impact human health.

Exemplary
4 Points

Offers an in-depth presentation with a comprehensive analysis of microorganisms' roles in disease transmission and significant health impacts.

Proficient
3 Points

Gives a clear and detailed presentation on microorganisms' roles in disease transmission and their health effects.

Developing
2 Points

Presents basic findings with some understanding of disease transmission and health impacts but lacks comprehensive analysis.

Beginning
1 Points

Provides a minimal presentation with limited understanding, displaying confusion about microorganisms' roles in disease transmission.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on your understanding of the differences between pathogens and non-pathogens. How has this understanding changed your perspective on human health?

Text
Required
Question 2

On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident do you feel about explaining the differences between aerobic and anaerobic organisms and their relevance to infections?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which aspect of antibiotics' function do you find most surprising, and why?

Text
Required
Question 4

How do you feel about the role of infection control measures in healthcare after completing this unit? Select all that apply.

Multiple choice
Required
Options
I see them as crucial in preventing disease spread.
They seem effective but challenging to implement consistently.
I feel more aware of their importance in daily health practices.
I believe they should be prioritized in healthcare settings.
Question 5

Reflect on the impact viruses, protozoa, and parasites have on human health and disease transmission. How has your awareness of these microorganisms changed?

Text
Required