Science KS 3 Unit 8C Microbes and disease

In this unit pupils:

• learn that micro-organisms share the characteristics of other living things.
• find out about growing micro-organisms to make products, and about the role of micro-organisms in infectious diseases.
• learn about the body's defence systems and how immunisation can protect against microbial infections.

In scientific enquiry pupils:

• consider how ideas about the transmission of infectious diseases have changed and are continuing to develop.
• learn how scientists work together to investigate and reduce the transmission of infectious disease.
• learn how to grow micro-organisms healthily and safely.
• consider the number of measurements needed for reliable data.
• identify and control relevant variables.
• investigate the activity of yeast, evaluating proposed approaches.

Some of this unit may be undertaken in relation to the school's PSHE programme. Teachers will be aware of the need for sensitivity to pupils and their families who may have or have had, a particular illness or may have reduced resistance to infection.

This unit is expected to take approximately 8 hours.

OTHER RESOURCES

• secondary sources, eg simulation software, CD-ROMs, illustrating the growth of micro-organisms
• datalogging equipment and software to monitor pH
• secondary sources to explore routine immunisation, ideas about side effects, immunisation in other countries
• information on routine immunisation programmes for young children
• resources to cultivate selected strains of micro-organisms
• autoclave or alternative equipment for preparation of materials and safe disposal of microbe-contaminated waste
• stock cultures of suitable micro-organisms
• secondary sources, eg photographs, advertisements, medicine packaging, relating to the nature and uses of micro-organisms
• case studies of tracking and dealing with an outbreak of an infectious disease, eg Ebola, cholera, E. coli
• data about the incidence of bacterial disease over the last 60 years
• secondary data showing the incidence over the last century of a major childhood disease for which there is now immunisation