Working with USAMRIID

A Science Expedition on Epidemics and Viruses

Grade 7; GLE 23

Your Challenge!

The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) has created a walking tour in order to have visitors better understand how viruses work and how we fight them!

You have just been hired to lead the walking tour through the USAMRIID offices in Fredrick, Maryland. Before you can conduct your first tour, it is important that you understand all about viruses yourself!

In order to prepare, USAMRIID is requiring that you complete the following science expedition. Good Luck!

Phase 1: Create Your Employee Badge

USAMRIID is a highly secure institution. Before you can explore the different levels of the building you will need to create your employee badge. Use a digital camera to take your picture and complete the information below.

Place Your PhotoHere

Tour Guide

CONTINUE

Phase 2:What is USAMRIID?

Your first challenge is to understand what USAMRIID does and learn about the history of the organization.

Begin by viewing the video below! Note: You will need your LPB Streaming Username and Password.

View Video Segment:USAMRIID: The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease (03:07) CONTINUE

Understanding USAMRIID’s History…Use the following website, http://www.usamriid.army.mil/highlightspage.htm to choose four

events in the history of USAMRIID that you find most interesting to share with tour participants.

Type information

in boxes!

CONTINUE

Phase 3: Understanding Terminology

Use one of the following resources to complete find the correct definition for the virus terminology below:

•Epidemics and Plagues by Richard Walker

•World Book Encyclopedia: http://www.doe.state.la.us/worldbook/

•Ebsco: http://search.ebscohost.com/ (Username: student Password: ebsco)

•Merrian-Webster Online Dictionary: http://www.m-w.com/

antibiotic

bacteria

cell

contagious

epidemic

CONTINUE

Understanding Terminology Continued

immunity

infectious disease

pandemic

vaccination

virus

CONTINUE

Phase 4: Understanding the Equipment Used to View Viruses

Scientist at USAMRIID use microscopes to view the organisms that cause viruses since they are not visible with the naked eye. In this phase, you will use your digital

microscope to view objects at different magnifications.

Materials:one small piece on an onion layer, tweezers, iodine, slide, digital microscope

The Experiment:

1. Place a small piece of onion skin onto a slide.

2. Place a small drop of iodine on the onion skin. Make sure that the onion skin is laying flat.

3. Use the digital microscope to take photograph of the onion skin at the following magnifications: 10X, 60X, and 200X.

4. Place your results on the next slide.

CONTINUE

Magnification of an Onion Skin Sample

10X Magnification 60X Magnification 200X Magnification

CONTINUE

What do you notice about the onion skin specimen as the magnification increases?

Epidemics and Viruses: Yellow FeverThroughout history many epidemics were caused by viruses. On the next slides use the

provided Internet reference to investigate viruses and the resulting epidemics…

Yellow fever virus (234,000x magnification).

How is yellow fever transmitted?

What are the symptoms of yellow fever?

Center for Disease Control Yellow Fever Website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh4-YellowFever.aspx

Where do most cases of yellow fever occur today and how might it be prevented?

CONTINUE

Epidemics and Viruses: Polio

Polio Viruses

What is the cause of polio?

What are the symptoms of polio?

Mayo Clinic Website: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/polio/DS00572/DSECTION=2

How is polio treated today?

CONTINUE

Epidemics and Viruses: The Bubonic Plague

Yersinia pestis seen at

2000x

What is the cause of bubonic plague?

What are the symptoms of the bubonic plague?

CDC Plague Website: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/plague/

Who is at risk of contracting the plague today?

CONTINUE

Epidemics and Viruses: Smallpox

What is the cause of smallpox?

What are the symptoms of smallpox?

US Department of Health and Human Services Website: http://www.smallpox.gov/#basics

Where are cases of smallpox found today?

CONTINUE

Epidemics and Viruses: Ebola

What is the cause of Ebola?

What are the symptoms of Ebola?

Center for Disease Control Website: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/dispages/ebola/qa.htm

Where are most cases of Ebola found today?

CONTINUE

Congratulations! You have completed all the phases in preparation for you

new job… You have one

more thing to do before you

can begin your first tour. Create a one-

paragraph introduction

which outlines what you will say to

introduce your tour

concerning viruses.

Teacher’s PageLesson Title: Working with USAMRIID

Subject: Science 7

Brief description of Lesson (1 paragraph):In this lesson the students will explore the aspects of viruses and epidemics utilizing the digital camera, digital microscope, and the Internet.

Lesson GLE(s): 23Materials Needed (including electronic templates):MSPowerPoint, Internet, digital camera, digital microscope

Name: Tammy S. SenecaEmail Address: tseneca@wbrschools.k12.la.us