Objective
Like most states in the USA, my state of Pennsylvania has very specific standards about how to teach Microbiology. However, much of what we do just scratches the surface of what could be covered in this branch of Biology. It usually involves many lessons on the characteristics of the cell. This usually leads us to lessons on heredity and the details of how genes pass from generation to generation. Unfortunately, when it comes to the world of microbes, very little information is provided on the vast complexities that make up this hidden world. Because of this, my unit reinforces the importance of microbes and the roles they play in our everyday lives. Specifically, my students will understand the relationship that exists between viruses and humans.
In fact, the Science Standards for the state of Pennsylvania, barely list any standards that apply to microbes, let alone viruses. The standards that do apply to microbes, barely focus on the important concepts of microbes and instead briefly mention their significance as part of a more "important" concept like, ecosystems or human physiology. From what we now know about the significance of microbes, it seems like our current practices provide a great disservice to our students. The field is so dynamic and rich that scientists now believe our new understanding of microbes could be a game changer in the field of biology, shining new light onto our place and purpose in the world.
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