Browse lesson plans

CSI Dublin: The Hunt for the Irish Potato Killer

In these lesson plans, students will act as CSI agents investigating the mysterious pathogen that caused the massive potato crop failure and resultant Great Famine of 1845 in Ireland.

Format: lesson plan (multiple pages)

Diseases throughout human history

Students will trace the historical impact of disease on humankind and research key events in the history of disease.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science and Social Studies)

By Greg Mitchell.

Good medicine

Students will examine changes in technology, medicine, and health that took place in North Carolina between 1870 and 1930 and construct products and ideas which demonstrate understanding of how these changes impacted people living in North Carolina at that time. To achieve these goals, students will employ the eight intelligences of Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences Theory.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies)

By Leslie Ramsey.

Identifying a potato killer via PCR and gel electrophoresis

In CSI Dublin: The Hunt for the Irish Potato Killer, page 4

In this lesson, students use DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, and gel electrophoresis techniques to identify positive and negative leaf samples for the presence of the plant pathogen Phytophthora infestans.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Science)

By Rebecca Hite.

Isolating a potato killer

In CSI Dublin: The Hunt for the Irish Potato Killer, page 2

In this lesson, students use Koch’s postulates to demonstrate the causal relationship between microbe and disease by transmitting Phytophthora infestans from an infected potato tuber to a healthy potato specimen.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 English Language Arts and Science)

By Rebecca Hite.

Mapping HIV infection in Africa

Using statistical information and maps, students will note the correlation between socio-economic factors and the impact of HIV/AIDS in the countries of Africa.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Social Studies)

By Greg Mitchell.

Profiling a potato killer

In CSI Dublin: The Hunt for the Irish Potato Killer, page 3

In this lesson, students use internet resources to determine the factors behind the potato blight that led to the most destructive famine in human history. Students will use the scientific method and inquiry to determine how the pathogen spread over the world and learn some of the historical context surrounding this tragedy.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 Science)

By Rebecca Hite.

Tracking a potato killer: Using latitude and longitude to map the spread of P. infestans

In CSI Dublin: The Hunt for the Irish Potato Killer, page 1

Students use latitude and longitude to follow the transmission of the plant pathogen, Phytophthora infestans, the causal agent of the Irish Potato Famine.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8–12 English Language Arts and Science)

By Rebecca Hite.

Resources on the web

Access Excellence: The National Health Museum

A collection of resources for the bioscience educator including current biology and health articles, biotech career information, web resources, online forums, classroom activities, and a peer-reviewed journal. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: National Health Museum