Module Three
Curriculum Links Level 9 Science Curriculum (Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority 2018)
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Biological Sciences
Ecosystems consist of communities of interdependent organisms and abiotic components of the environment; matter and energy flow through these systems (VCSSU121)
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Elaboration: exploring interactions between organisms, for example, predator/prey, parasites, competitors, pollinators and disease vectors
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Science Inquiry Skills
Planning and Conducting: Use appropriate equipment to systematically collect and record accurate and reliable data (VCSIS136)
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Recording and Processing: Construct and use a range of representations, to record data (VCSIS137)
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Analysing and Evaluating: Drawing conclusions that are consistent with evidence (VCSIS138)
Learning Intentions/Outcomes:
By the end of this lesson students should be able to:
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Build understanding of how bacteria grow and reproduce relevant to the research being studied by Natalie Gasz.
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Understand basic practice when performing a dissection.
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Follow appropriate lab procedure.
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Work in groups to complete the activity.
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Understand the physical relationship of the Maggot and the bacterium Proteus mirabilis.
I Can Statements:
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I can provide reasoning as to the relevance of Natalie Gasz’s work based on her video.
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I can follow lab-based procedures to achieve the right results.
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I can identify different components in a dissection form understanding the context.
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I can work safely in a lab-based environment
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I can understand the relationship between maggots and Proteus mirabilis.
Learning Activity 1:
Scientist's Three Minute Thesis Talk
Teacher Input
"Ecosystems are a “complex level of organisation made up of living (biotic) parts, such as communities of organisms, and non-living (abiotic) parts, such as the physical surroundings” (Jacaranda Science Quest 2018). We are part of an ecosystem, and our actions can drive change within our global ecosystem, both positively and negatively. We are lucky enough, and privileged enough to have been in touch with a scientist from Deakin University whose research revolves around some living components of an ecosystem. This is a really exciting opportunity for us to engage with, and see what scientists are working on in the real world, and how their research can be applied to our lives.”
Teacher will show Natalie Gasz’s Three Minute Thesis Talk presentation. Teacher will instruct students to write notes in their book about her research, anything that surprised them, a small summary about what Natalie’s research is and how her research relates to ecosystems.
Student Input
Students will watch the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) video and take notes in their book. After consolidating their notes, students will contribute ideas to a whole class discussion. Teacher will lead the discussion to address alternative frameworks or misconceptions they previously held.
Resources
3MT Video
Deakin 3MT 2015 Winner Natalie Gasz
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvvZzXgZzOM
Whiteboard and markers
Student note books
Projector (for 3MT video)
Assessment FOR and OF Learning
Students will be assessed formative format, throughout the class discussion, on how they engage with other ideas and contribute their own ideas.
Learning Activity 2:
Marsh-Maggot Dissection.
Assessment FOR and OF Learning
Teacher Input
Student Input
Resources
​This activity is teacher guided while being student lead, the practical covers the necessary topics to facilitate class discussion at the conclusion of the activity. Ensure that students understand that the Proteus mirabilis bacterium lives symbiotically within maggots and their role in helping them in cleaning wounds .​
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Make sure students are in groups.
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Have the marsh-maggots prepared ahead of time
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Run a quick demonstration to the class in order to cover topics of lab safety and procedure.
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Student's will need to follow Lab Procedure in-order to perform the dissection and collect accurate data. This data, once tabled, will need to be discussed as a class to understand differences in results, if any.
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1 Marsh-maggot (4 marshmallows heated together by melting each end together using an open flame such as a stovetop. Stuff only red and brown smarties into the middle two marshmallows before connecting all together)
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1 plastic knife
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1 cutting plate
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Lab coat and goggles
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1 petri dish
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6 skewers
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1 tweezers
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1 worksheet
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Preferably to be done in a lab classroom, but lack of chemical agents can allow this activity to be done in most classrooms.
For this activity you would use the practical to assess the students ability to follow lab procedure no matter the exercise. The other mode of assessment is in the discussion questions as a part of the practical sheet as well as class discussion