Microorganisms play a very important role in biological processes, as well as in history and in our daily lives. We will have three parts to this project. Part A can be completed with one or two partners if you wish. Parts B and C are individual.

A. Your assignment is to research viruses, bacteria, protists, and fungi to find out how it plays a role in daily life as well as how it has changed the course of history. Using one of the following options of presentation, find a different virus, bacteria, protist, and fungus to represent each of the following areas (for a total of 16 different microorganisms). Include a list of sources.

Disease

Useful product or purpose

Food

Historical significance

(for viruses, choose another useful product in place of food)

Presentation Method

Postage Stamp Series: produce blocks of four stamps illustrating each of the four types of microorganisms.

Children's book series: write and illustrate a simple story for each type of microorganism.

Album of original songs: write and record a series of songs about all 16 topics.

Newscast: produce a videotaped newscast about your 16 breaking news stories.

Puppet show: write and perform a puppet show about your 4 characters.

Comic book series: write and illustrate a comic book for each type of microorganism.

Yearbook: make a yearbook representing your 16 organisms in action.

B. Find and read a current event article (from 2006!) about a microorganism of your choice. Write a brief paragraph explaining what you learned and why you chose the article. Include a copy of your article, with appropriate citation, with your summary.

C. Bring an item that represents a microorganism (an actual example, product of a microorganism, etc.) Bonus points will be awarded for unique items and for knowing the organism's scientific name.

We will appreciate microorganisms on Tuesday, March 14, 2006. Have your projects ready to share.

Viruses	0	1	2	3	Bacteria	0	1	2	3
Disease					Disease
Useful product or purpose					Useful product or purpose
Useful product or purpose					Food
Historical significance					Historical significance
Four different viruses represented					Four different bacteria represented
Creative presentation of information					Creative presentation of information
Information is correct					Information is correct
Thoughtful work is evident					Thoughtful work is evident
Protists	0	1	2	3	Fungi	0	1	2	3
Disease					Disease
Useful product or purpose					Useful product or purpose
Food					Food
Historical significance					Historical significance
Four different protists represented					Four different fungi represented
Creative presentation of information					Creative presentation of information
Information is correct					Information is correct
Thoughtful work is evident					Thoughtful work is evident

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