Parasite Sleuth Activity Book
This book features five hands-on activities designed for 8-to 12-year-olds.
Each activity includes one 30-to 45-minute project and extensions. Activities
can be used in any order. Also included are objectives and learning
outcomes, assessment questions, ideas for a presentation or exhibit
and topics for further investigation.
Table of Contents
Classy Parasites /ACTIVITY ONE
Watch a video about parasitologist Judy Sakanari, and then create a
classification system for parasites.
Learning Outcomes: Youth develop an understanding of the work of a scientist
and of systems, order, and organization.
A Model Parasite /ACTIVITY TWO
Observe, create and dissect a model Ascaris worm.
Learning Outcomes: Youth develop an understanding of the characteristics
of living things and the ability to select appropriate tools.
Pet Parasite Detective /ACTIVITY THREE
Observe and draw a tick and a flea, and then examine a pet for these
ectoparasites.
Learning Outcomes: Youth develop an understanding of evidence, models,
explanation and scientific inquiry, and the ability to use simple tools
to gather scientific data.
Parasite Sleuth /ACTIVITY FOUR
Solve four mystery diseases by finding the problem parasite.
Learning Outcomes: Youth develop an understanding of living things and
environments, life cycles, personal health, and of science as a human
endeavor.
Traveling Tapeworm /ACTIVITY FIVE
Place the developmental stages of a beef tapeworm in a life-sized human
gut.
Learning Outcomes: Youth develop an understanding of life cycles, structure
and function in living systems, and of personal health.
Pulling It All Together
Create a story about a scientist who works with parasites.
Learning Outcomes: Youth draw on what they have learned in the activities
to construct their own understanding of what it means to be a scientist.
New Wonders
Here are some ideas you might like to use for projects or exhibits.
Learning Outcomes: Youth develop an understanding of science and technology
in society and of science as a human endeavor.
Permission is given
to educators to reproduce these pages for classroom and training purposes
only.