Rich Task:

A Breed Apart: A Guide for Keeping Pets and Their Owners Healthy

Course:

Biology, Grade 11, College Preparation, SBI3C   (2 credit Cooperative Education)

Evaluation:

Part of 70%

Part of 30%

* Both

Context:

·          According to Statistics Canada, more than 50% of all households own a pet. As pet ownership in Canada grows, so does the prominence that pets play in our lives. Pet owners want to keep their pets healthy and expect that their animals will receive the best possible care from the veterinarian, using the best practices and the latest technology.

·          You will use the knowledge and skills acquired in your Biology course and your Cooperative Education placement to study the animals that are brought into the hospital and their health issues, and to provide a resource for owners with information and tips for keeping their pets healthy. Throughout your placement you have opportunities to observe and use medical technologies equipment in the hospital that are used in the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses and disorders, and to describe the underlying scientific principles for how they work, why they are used, and their benefits.

 

Related Course Expectations

 

 

Scientific Investigation Skills

SIS.01 · demonstrate an understanding of safety practices consistent with Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) legislation by selecting and applying appropriate techniques for handling, storing, and disposing of laboratory materials;

SIS.02 · select appropriate instruments and use them effectively and accurately in collecting observations and data;

SIS.03 · demonstrate the skills required to plan and carry out investigations, using laboratory equipment safely, effectively, and accurately;

SIS.04 · select and use appropriate numeric, symbolic, graphical, and linguistic modes of representation to communicate scientific ideas, plans, and experimental results;

SIS.05 · locate, select, analyse, and integrate information on topics under study, working independently and as part of a team, and using appropriate library and electronic research tools, including Internet sites;

SIS.06 · compile, organize, and interpret data, using appropriate formats and treatments, including tables, flow charts, graphs, and diagrams;

SIS.07 · communicate the procedures and results of investigations and research for specific purposes using data tables and laboratory reports.

 

 

 

Strand: Cellular Biology

CBV.01 · demonstrate an understanding of the basic processes of cellular biology, including membrane transport, cellular respiration, photosynthesis, and enzyme activity;

CB1.05 - identify cell processes and functions that use facilitated diffusion, osmosis, and active transport;

CBV.02 · investigate the factors that influence cellular activity using appropriate laboratory equipment and techniques; 

CB2.02 - prepare a wet mount of a stained specimen and, using a light microscope, identify some of the organelles of a cell;

CB2.04 - perform common laboratory procedures needed for the study of cell processes, using appropriate techniques;

CBV.03 · demonstrate an understanding of the importance of cellular processes in their personal lives, as well as in the development and application of biotechnology;

CB3.02 - identify medical technologies based on cellular biology that are used in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders, and describe their benefits;

CB3.03 - apply scientific principles in describing and analysing the function of laboratory equipment and techniques used in cell biology.

 

Strand:  Microbiology

MBV.01 · demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics of various micro-organisms, of their role in the environment, and of their influences on other organisms, including humans;

MB1.02 - illustrate the differences between representative bacteria (including Eubacteria and Archeabacteria), protists, viruses, and fungi by comparing their shape, motility, ecological role, and connection to human diseases;

MB1.03 - analyse and explain the different methods of reproduction in various types of viruses, monera, and fungi;

MB1.05 - demonstrate an understanding of the vital role micro-organisms play in symbiotic relationships;

MBV.03 · explain the role of micro-organisms with respect to human health and in technological applications in medicine, industry, and the environment;

MB3.01 - evaluate the impact of viral, bacterial, and fungal infections on the health of host organisms, and on humans in particular.

 

Strand:  Animal Anatomy and Physiology

AAV.01 · demonstrate an understanding of the structure, function, and interactions of the main internal systems of humans and other animals;

 

AA1.01 - describe the anatomy and physiology of the digestive, circulatory, excretory, respiratory, reproductive, and locomotion systems of humans and one other animal;

AA1.02 - explain mechanisms of interaction between animal systems;

AA1.03 - explain how the endocrine system and central nervous system help maintain homeostasis;

AA1.04 - describe the causes and effects of common disorders of each system;

AAV.02 · investigate, with the aid of laboratory procedures, the physiological mechanisms of animal systems that are responsible for the physical health of the individual;

AA2.01 - use instruments accurately to collect data;

AA2.03 - carry out a dissection, or use a computer-simulated dissection, of a vertebrate to identify organs and establish relationships among structure, function, and health;

AAV.03 · demonstrate an understanding of the connections among health, preventive measures, and treatment, and of their social and economic implications;

AA3.01 - evaluate the influence of the media on attitudes towards nutrition design process followed in a particular assignment.

 

Cooperative Education Expectations

 

 

Health and Safety

H3 - an understanding of the need for personal protective equipment, including goggles, gloves, boots and aprons

 

 

Rights and Responsibilities

R2 - placement-specific workplace health and safety considerations

 

 

Evaluation Strategies and Scoring Tools

 

Evaluation Strategies

Scoring Tools

Expectations

Achievement Chart

70%

Survey: Animal Hospital

Rubric

AAV.01, AA1.01, AA1.04

T, A

70%

Survey: Summary

Rubric

AAV.01, AA1.01, AA1.04

C, A

30%

Animal Information Packages

Rubric

CBV.01, CB1.05, CBV.03, CB3.02, CB3.03

MBV.03, MB3.01

AAV.01, AA1.01, AA1.02, AA1.03, AA1.04, AAV.03, AA3.01

K/U, T, C, A

70%

Chart:  Diagnosing and Treating Illnesses/Disorders - Equipment/Procedures Study

Rubric

CBV.01, CB1.05, CBV.02, CB2.02, CB2.04

AAV.02, AAV.01, AA2.03

K/U, T, C, A

30%

Presentation: Results of a Study into an Illness/ Disorder

Rubric

CBV.01, CB1.05, CBV.02, CB2.02, CB2.04, CBV.03, CB3.02, CB3.03

MBV.01, MB1.02, MB1.03, MB1.05, MBV.03, MB3.01

K/U, T, C, A

30%

Presentation: Oral

Rubric

CBV.01, CB1.05, CBV.02, CB2.02, CB2.04, CBV.03, CB3.02, CB3.03

MBV.03, MB3.01 MBV.01, MB1.02, MB1.03, MB1.05

AAV.01, AA1.01, AA1.02, AA1.03, AA1.04, AAV.03, AA3.01

K/U, C, A

 

Teacher Notes

·          Produce and explain task-specific rubrics.

·          The student’s science teacher is a good resource to help you determine/clarify science expectations that relate to the task.

·          This task is for a student who is earning two credits but it could be extended for a four-credit co-op.

 

 

Task

 

Student Notes

Part A: Animal Hospital Survey

·          For a period of three weeks, collect information about the pets that are brought into the hospital.

·          Select four of the most commonly seen animals to study.

·          Design a form to collect information about the type of pet and specific breed, age of the pet, reason for the visit, the veterinarian’s diagnosis, and recommendations/ treatment.

 

·          The animals you choose should be different, however, you could study two different breeds of the same animal category, e.g., a parrot and a budgie.

Part B: Information Packages

·          Using a variety of resources, gather and summarize information on a chart on four animals you select.

·          Prepare information packages for pet owners, providing them with information that will keep their pets healthy. Include:

-         general characteristics of the animal,

-         external anatomy,

-         proper handling,

-         housing,

-         common illnesses

-         reasons why these illnesses exist,

-         common procedures performed at the animal hospital and why they are done,

-         zoonotic diseases,

-         preventative measures for keeping your pet healthy (e.g., diet recommendations, responsible ownership and general safety tips).

·          Include a rationale for your recommendations making connections among health, preventative measures and treatment, e.g., why would a particular diet be recommended over another.

·          Submit these packages using an appropriate, professional and inviting format.

 

·          Gather information from several sources including the veterinarians, vet technicians, the Internet, science textbooks, and the knowledge that you gain during your placement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

·          These informative guides could be given to animal owners. To make them inviting and easy-to-understand, use pictures, diagrams and graphics.

Part C: Diagnosing and Treating Animals

·          From the information you gathered for the four animals, identify a common illness for each animal.

·          Describe the diagnostic equipment that would be used for each illness/disorder and the treatment generally recommended.

·          Create a chart that identifies the pets, the particular illness/disorder for each animal, the diagnostic equipment that would be used, and the treatment options.

 

 

 

 

·          From the chart, select one illness/disorder and explain, using scientific principles and terminology, why the illness occurs, the diagnostic equipment and procedures that are used and why and how they work, and the treatment and why it works.

·          Use an appropriate and inviting format to present this information, e.g., charts, information sheets.

 

 

 

 

·          Information about the equipment can be obtained from the vets and technicians as well as equipment manuals at the hospital.

 

·          The main focus in this task is to look at the science behind the equipment used to treat animal illnesses and disorders.

Part D: Oral Presentation

·          Present this information to the hospital and your co-op teacher and explain how this would be beneficial to the hospital and their clients.

·          Convince the animal hospital that your animal information packages and your in-depth study is useful for informing their clients.