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Microbes on Trial  !


Introduction:

What are microbes?  Are they friends or foes?  Helpful or harmful to us?  How would life on earth be different without them?
 

 

Task:

Some people think it would be great if scientists could wipe out all microbes.  Your group will be given a particular microbe to research.   After concluding your research,  your group will present  your findings  in a courtroom trial.  The class will serve as a jury and will vote to decide whether this microbe should be eliminated from planet Earth.
The task is typed here:

 

Process:

First, you will be assigned to a team of students. Each of you will play a role in this investigation.  Your group will be given the name of a microbe that you will investigate.  You will be assigned one of the following roles:
 

bulletMicrobiologist for elimination
bulletLawyer for elimination
bulletMicrobiologist against elimination
bulletLawyer against elimination.


Prepare yourselves for a courtroom trial in which you will present your case for or against your microbe.

Research the following information:

bulletWhat does it look like?  (shape and special adaptations)
bulletWhere does it live? (habitat and life style)
bulletHow does it affect other life on earth ? (helpful / harmful or both)

Resources:
bullet"Cells Alive"
bullet"American Society of Microbiology"
bullet"Microbe Zoo"


Evaluation:

Each role will be given a guide worksheet in which to record research.
The information written in this worksheet will be evaluated for
bulletaccuracy
bulletspelling
bulletgrammar

Presentation of your particular role will be evaluated for:
bulletspeech
bulletcase information
bulletargument

Conclusion:

Your peers in your classroom will serve as the jury for your case.  They will decide, based upon the information presented in your case, if the microbe you have been assigned is to be preserved, or eliminated from the planet Earth.

 

Authors: Jerry Clemens, Sheri Fisher, Dale Maule, Patti Schlichting
Grade/Subject: Seventh Grade Science
Created: October 8, 1999
 
 
 

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                                Page Sponsor:  Crystal Steker
                                Page Content Author:  Melissa O'Hara
                                Date:  11/13/2006