Unit Guide

Two-Faced Bacteria: What Would Happen if Beneficial Bacteria Go “Bad”?

Samantha Neubert

This 8-10 day, 90 minute block-scheduled curriculum unit introduces students to bacteria, both harmful and beneficial; antibiotic resistance; and evolution within bacteria. The unit focuses mainly on the negative effects of antibiotics on beneficial bacteria, once the students are introduced to the effects of antibiotics on harmful bacteria. Students will model the structure of a bacteria and how antibiotics affect the structure. They will then predict what will happen to beneficial bacteria in the presence of antibiotics and how this affect will in turn affect your overall health. Students will then take on the role of the bacteria to plead their case to humans in order to control the use of antibiotics. Students will present this information in a creative format. By then end of the unit, students should come away with a great appreciation for bacteria in general, harmful or beneficial. They should then be able to make better decisions as to when and how often they use antibiotics and antibacterials.