Medical Mystery: A Parasite Puzzle

Medical Mystery: A Parasite Puzzle is a 10-day learning module designed for middle school in which students will research, discuss, and ultimately diagnose a disease caused by a particular parasite. This lesson is an adaptation of the full curriculum developed during my fellowship, which is inspired and guided by the research done by the De Leo lab at the Hopkins Marine Station, and personalizable based on region or interest. In this learning module, students will learn about the parasitic lifestyle and how it differs from traditional predator-prey relationships. They will explore parasite biodiversity in a stations lab that includes videos, microscopy, and hands-on aspects. They will then complete a jigsaw research activity on several different parasitic diseases that present with similar symptoms in order to compare with the known symptoms and recent activities of a fictive patient. Finally, they will collaboratively write a 5-paragraph CER essay to diagnose, explain, and prescribe treatment for the patient.