Description
During the pre-lab, students investigate the phenomenon of the development of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to analyze a timeline and correlate the introduction of antibiotics to the discovery of resistant bacteria. In the investigation, students test the inhibiting effects of antibiotics on 2 species of bacteria and produce evidence to address the driving question, “Why do we need to have so many different types of antibiotics?”
Note: Kit includes perishable materials for immediate use. Keep bacteria cultures at room temperature; do not incubate or refrigerate. Refrigerate antibiotic disks until use; do not freeze.
Time Requirement
Total, 180 minutes over 3 to 4 days. Teacher prep, 40 minutes; pre-lab, 30 minutes. Investigation, 20 to 30 minutes during 3 consecutive class periods (3 consecutive days). Assessment and discussion, 30 minutes. Note: The cultures can be refrigerated if students cannot check them for 3 consecutive days.
Digital Resources
Includes 1-year access to digital resources that support 3-dimensional instruction for NGSS. Digital resources may include a teacher manual and student guide, pre-lab activities and setup videos, phenomenon videos, simulations, and post-lab analysis and assessments.
Crosscutting Concepts
Cause and Effect
Science and Engineering Practices
Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions
Learning Objectives
- Understand that the trait of antibiotic sensitivity varies both within and between species of bacteria.
- Observe, measure, and compare the effects of antibiotics on 2 bacteria species.
- Describe how the collected data provide evidence of sensitivity or resistance to the antibiotic.
- Use evidence from a variety of sources to explain why so many antibiotics are needed.
Prerequisite Knowledge and Skills
Students should know the basic characteristics of bacteria and the basic function of antibiotics. They should also have a general understanding of traits and heritability.