Grade Level: 7
Subject/Course: Science
Unit: Structure and Function of Living Organisms / Disease
Enduring Understandings:
Disease disrupts equilibrium in living organisms.
The immune system helps the body regain it equilibrium.
Our knowledge of disease is continuously evolving with advances in technology.
Essential Questions:
What is a disease?
What causes disease?
How does the body fight disease?
How does technology increase our knowledge of disease?
Maryland Learning Outcome:
Students will use scientific skill and processes to explain the dynamic nature of living things, their interactions, and the results of the interactions that occur over time. 
Indicators:
3.7.3 Analyze concepts that promote or disrupt the structure and function of living organisms.
1.7.1 access and process information from readings, investigations, and/or oral communications

  TASK/PROJECT COMPONENTS /GT EXTENSION/RESOURCES/GRADING 

A local advertising agency, Advertisements R’ Us, has just received a large contract from the National Public Awareness Foundation for Diseases and Disorders (NPAFDD).  This contract involves the creation and production of a  number of web pages, which will be used to raise public awareness of the common causes and treatments of a variety of diseases that affect people all over the world.  In order to assure that the public is made completely aware of the dangers and preventative measures associated with each of these diseases, the information in these web pages must include all known information regarding each particular type of disease.   
You will be selecting a disease of your choice on which to conduct your research.  Once you have collected your information, you will be creating a web page for the NPAFDD that will be used to inform the public about that disease.

Your web page must include the following information:

CAUSE -- type of disease/disorder; specific cause or source; how it is transmitted or spread
SYMPTOMS -- how a person feels when he/she is sick with the disease/disorder; duration of symptoms
BODY SYSTEMS AFFECTED- which organs/systems of the human body are affected?  How are these organs/systems affected?
PREVENTION/TREATMENT/CURE -- how can you prevent getting the disease/disorder; what can be done if you have the disease/disorder; medical specialist who treats the disease/disorder; medication that will get rid of the disease/disorder
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES- how has improved medical technology helped in diagnosing/treating this disease?
PART OF THE WORLD WHERE DISEASE/DISORDER IS MOST PREVALENT -- is it worldwide? is it foud in remote or urban areas? name specific countries where it is found and/or how many cases are found in a specific country each year; does it favor a particular climate? does it appear more often in a particular season?
WHO IS AFFECTED -- age; group; sex; and/or race that is affected
EFFECT OF DISEASE /DISORDER ON FAMILY MEMBERS – how does this disease affect the family members of the person who has the disease
OTHER GENERAL INFORMATION -- such as: who discovered the disease/disorder; how it was named; other diseases/disorders associated with your disease/disorder; or any other information you find that does not fit in any other section of your outline

 GATHERING GRIDS
     ten research questions are stated on gathering grids
     information is gathered and recorded for all ten research questions
     source documentation is provided on each gathering grid for all collected information

FORMAL BIBLIOGRAPHY
   at least 7 different sources are sited
   at least 3 of your sources are online sources
    proper MLA format is used for each source

WEB PAGE
    includes all required information about the disease
    all included information is accurate
    appropriate background and font choices
    web page is interesting to intented audience
    includes at least 3 appropriate visuals/graphics
  web page is free of spelling and grammar mistakes  

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS WRITING ASSIGNMENT
  3 diseases (other than your own) are chosen for the assignment
  each of the following 3 Enduring Questions are addressed for each of the 3 diseases of your choice
                *How do these diseases disrupt equilibrium in living organisms?
                *How does the immune system help the body regain it equilibrium, when the body 
                    is  affected by these diseases?
                *How has our knowledge of these diseases evolved with advances in technology? 
  each of the responses includes references to the texts you read to learn about the diseases
  responses are free of spelling and grammar mistakes

In addition to the other components of the Disease Research Project, all GT students will be required to turn in a FORMAL RESEARCH PAPER about their disease. 

COVER SHEET (4 pts.)
   title of paper
   your name, date, and period
    name of teacher
OUTLINE OF YOUR PAPER (8 pts.)
     contents of your research paper given in appropriate outline form
BODY OF REPORT (35 pts.)
     introductory paragraph is present
     2 to 3 typed pages (double spaced)
     includes all relevant information found through your research
     concluding paragraph is present
     appropriate spelling, punctuation , and grammar used
FORMAL BIBLIOGRAPHY (8 pts.)
     at least 7references are sited
     at least 3 references are websites
     presented in proper MLA format

Gathering Grids/Bibliography/ Web Page/Writing Assignment/Total Points

Gathering Grids/Bibliography/ Web Page/Writing Assignment/Total Points

Gathering Grids/Bibliography/ Web Page/Writing Assignment/Total Points

Click here for Grading Rubric for the Writing Assignment

Click here for Grading Rubric for Web Page 

Gathering Grids/Bibliography/ Web Page/Writing Assignment/Total Points

Gathering Grids/Bibliography/ Web Page/Writing Assignment/Total Points

Gathering Grids/Bibliography/ Web Page/Writing Assignment/Total Points
 

Created by Carla Beasley

Carla_Beasley@fc.mcps.k12.md.us

7th grade Science Teacher

Julius West Middle School

_{last updated June 28, 2002}