Objectives
The law of conservation of matter states that matter cannot be created or destroyed. Within this unit I plan to reinforce the law of conservation of matter focusing on how even though matter cannot be created or destroyed it can be changed into something else. It is important to acknowledge that existing bonds get broken, the atoms rearrange, and new more stable substances are formed. Students will be reintroduced to microbes which they should have encountered in their biology class, but will apply this knowledge to chemical situations. When thinking about microbes people tend to think of only the negative effects even though there are millions of microbes around us that are completely harmless. Some microbes are incredibly useful to us such as our gut bacteria. I think it is very important for students to identify the different types of microbes that are present, determine what they can do, and acknowledge how they cause both good and bad in our lives. The most important thing in this unit is the model of identifying a problem, determining a solution to the problem, and then recognizing that the solution can create another unexpected problem as a result. I want students to understand that there is more than one possible answer to questions. Even if different students come up with the same answer it is really important for them to see the multiple possible pathways to getting to that answer. After they have identified the model and come up with their own example we will be able to analyze multiple biological examples using microbes, specifically examples that are both positive and negative, as a common interface. Students will need to identify the problem and possible solutions then discuss with their small groups which solution is the best choice for a particular problem, and what are new possible problems that may result. One of the problems students have is taking knowledge that they have and using it in another situation. This skill is a true life skill and needs to be practiced in the classroom. In life, we tend to want a simple answer to every problem, but it just doesn't work out that way. Having a set of analytical skills is something they can take with them and use in their everyday lives.
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