Activity Template.DOCVIP

Fellow name: Jordan Moberg Parker Title of Lesson: HIV Transmission and Disease Detective Activity Grade Level: 9-12 Subject(s): Biology/Health Summary: The purpose of this lesson is to demonstrate how a virus or infectious disease can spread through a population. The lesson has two parts, in the first part “HIV Transmission Activity,” students will simulate the exchange of bodily fluids, and then test whether they got infected with a disease. The students are assigned cups with clear liquid that they pour back and forth between partners in three sessions. An indicator is then dropped into each student’s cup, and a color change indicates that they are “infected.” In the second part of the activity the students play “Disease Detective” and use logic to determine who the originally infected individuals were. Time Required: 60-90 minutes Group Size: Students work individually, but class size in multiples of 4 is best for students accurately determining who the originally infected individuals were. Learning Goals: The students will be able to understand how an infectious disease can spread through a population. The students will know that an epidemiologist is a scientist that studies how diseases spread through a population. Level of Inquiry: This activity has components of both structured and guided inquiry. In the first part of the activity the students investigate the teacher-presented question of how of a disease spreads through a population using a prescribed procedure. In the second part of the activity the students investigate who the originally infected individuals were using student designed procedures. The students have to figure out for themselves (with some guidance) how to narrow down the possibilities. Introduction / Motivation: Start the class by asking the students about diseases that are communicable (being sure to explain that it means you can catch it), and write on the board diseases that they come up with. The students wi