Introduction
1000 years in to the future, humans have begun to explore space far beyond our own solar system. In a galaxy far away, we have discovered a planet that may be able to support human life . . .
But first, we need to send a group of scientists, researchers and explorers to the new planet to establish a colony. Their job will be to make sure it is a safe planet for human settlement.
You will work in groups of 3 as the colonies' head medical scientists. You will advise the new colony on how to keep their colony safe from various diseases they may encounter.
Task
The colony chiefs are worried about whooping cough (pertussis) becoming a problem in the new colony. As the head medical team, your group will need to provide some basic information, including:
- A list of symptoms to watch out for.
- Details on how the disease is spread.
Your colony will have 100 people in it, and you will need to design a effective strategy to combat the possible spread of whooping cough in your colony. This will need to include a floorplan design of the colony, considering things such as:
- How many people sleep/eat in each room?
- Where are your medical bays located?
- Are there any areas you can isolate people if needed? How big are these areas?
- Anything else you can think of that will help combat the spread of disease.
Finally, you will need to provide an emergency procedure for your colonists to follow in the case of an outbreak!
Process
1) Research how the disease is spread, and what the symptoms are. Provide this information in a table (use a Word Document for this). Use the links at the bottom of this page to help you.
2) Research how the disease is usually treated. Use this information, plus the information you learned about how the disease is spread, to brainstorm some possible floor plan designs for your colony.
3) When your group is happy with your final design, draw a good copy for final presentation, and take a photo of it on your iPad. Upload the photo to your Word Document, and write about any special features you included in your design and WHY they were included.
4) In the same Word Document, outline the emergency disease outbreak steps your colony needs to follow (what would the people in the colony do if a medical alarm went off?).
Resources to use:
http://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Whooping_cough/
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/infectious/whoopingcough/pages/default.aspx
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/whoopingcough/Pages/Facts-and-figures.aspx
http://dictionary.kids.net.au/word/communicable_disease
Evaluation
|
|
D |
C |
B |
A |
|
Information |
Information about Whooping Cough is only partially accurate. |
Accurate information about Whooping Cough, including at least 2 symptoms and 2 ways of spreading. |
Accurate information about Whooping Cough, including at least 2 symptoms and 2 ways of spreading. |
Accurate information about Whooping Cough, including at least 2 symptoms and 2 ways of spreading. Includes several possible treatments, and discussion of pros and cons of each, and discussion on the dangers of not treating the disease. |
|
Design |
Floorplan does not include any obvious features designed to keep the colony safe. |
Floorplan shows some consideration toward preventing the spread of Whooping Cough, and these features are explained. |
Floorplan shows consideration toward preventing the spread of Whooping Cough. Floorplan also shows some innovative and unique design features for combating communicable diseases. These features are all explained. |
Floorplan shows great consideration toward preventing the spread of Whooping Cough. Floorplan also shows several innovative and unique design features for combating communicable diseases. These features are all explained. |
|
Presentation |
Work appears rushed or poorly designed. |
Work is neat, tidy, well designed. |
Work is neat, tidy, well designed and shows very few spelling or grammar errors. |
Work is neat, tidy, well designed. Very few grammar/spelling errors, and great care has been taken to make sure the work is the highest quality possible. |
This rubric will be used to assess your final work. Make sure you read it carefully BEFORE submitting your work.
Conclusion
Think about all you have learned about Whooping Cough, and communicable diseases in general. Hopefully, your research has allowed you to design a colony for your explorers that will keep them safe!
Think about how the same design principles and safety procedures might apply in your school, your parents work place or your own home. Are there any similarities in either your floorplan design or your emergency procedures of the colony, and the real world? Do you think real architects and engineers follow similiar design procedures when designing new buildings such as hospitals?
Just some things for you to think about!