Introduction:

Can viruses take over the world? There has been quite a buzz about
viruses in past years. H1N1 virus, avian flu, and seasonal influenza are
all in the news. Our quest is to learn more about viruses, how they
spread and the effect on the world. You will need a few sheets of paper
for your group and a paper or pencil to get started. You will only have to
turn in one project/ paper per group.

Task 1: First, you and your partner will create a brochure

by hand, about a diseases you will research. Go to the
CDC website link to find a INFECTIOUS disease that
interests you. Propose the disease to Mrs. Ledford. First
come first serve on all diseases. No duplicates. This will
be an informational brochure that you will use to tell
people about the type of disease this is, the scientific
name for the pathogen, how it is transmitted, What
reservoir this can be found in, Treatments, transmission
and signs and symptoms. Make sure to include ways to
avoid this disease or disorder. Once you finish you can
proceed to the next portion of the webquest.
Research:
2. The flu attack video shows how an airborne virus like
influenza spreads and how it infects cells. Look
closely at the outside of the virus. These are

receptors that attach the virus to the cell. They are

very important for the survival and spread of the
virus. These receptors on the outside of the virus
change every year so that our body's defenses can't
recognize them. It is no accident that an airborne
virus like influenza causes coughing and sneezing!
Watch the video very carefully.
3. It is important when looking up disease and viruses
to know who they spread and replicate in order to
treat them. Knowing the difference between DNA and
RNA viruses can help.
a. DNA viruses contain genes that encode proteins
from germs and produce an immune response.
RNA viruses mutate so rapidly that there are no
vaccines available for them. With this
knowledge, I want you to do a Google search
and list 5 viruses that are DNA and 5 virus that
are RNA.
4. Examine the information on the Global Incident Map
and consider the ways the Viruses spreads and how
government intervention can limit the spread of the
virus. (Vaccines, drugs, closing schools?) Zoom out
to see the whole world. What viruses and pandemics
do you see happening? Together you and your
partner are going look at the world view. On a sheet
of paper list at least 1 virus or incidents seen on the
map in Africa, India, Europe, Australia, North America
and South America. List what the virus/incident is,
where it occurred. Next, look at the map in general
and answer the following questions; what most

surprises you about the global incident map? How

many of the viruses/ incidents have you heard of?
Why are some of these diseases familiar to you and
why have not heard of some of these? Do you think
being familiar with diseases affects the spread
number of incidents occurring?
5. Look and explore the information at HealthMap.org,
and review the different outbreaks occurring. Do a
search for Influenza, Meningitis and Antrhrax. On
your same sheet of paper from task 1, write down
answer to the following questions. Where are these
viruses occurring? How wide spread is it? What is the
total number of reported cases for each at this time?
6. Starting to feel a little sick researching viruses? Well,
check out how to protect yourself from the H1N1 and
seasonal flu. From what you know about the way it is
transported (airborne), the CDC site fills in the rest of
what you may not know. On your same sheet of
paper, name 5 important things you can do to
prevent the spread of the flu virus as stated by the
CDC.

Final Project: You will be using both sides of a poster board to

complete this projects.

1) Create a wanted poster about a REAL virus of your

choosing. (You must be cleared with me so that all
viruses are different) Be sure to include its shape and
structure, who or what it infects, disease symptoms,
whether it has DNA or RNA, and how it spreads. Make
sure to include all the information listed on your brochure.
Your poster should also include a picture of your virus
drawn by you. Don't forget to make it colorful!! When
you are done you will present your poster to the class.
(2)Design your own virus!
1. Use your imagination. Be sure to include receptors
on the outside of your virus so that it can attach
to cells.
2. Draw and color your virus. Be creative in your use
of materials. You can make it three dimensional so it
appears to come off the paper if you wish. Extra
credit for creativity? I think so!
3. List the things that make your virus spread: airborne,
insects, rodents, or water. List as many as you want
for your virus.
4. Symptoms your virus can cause: fever, coughing,
sneezing, headache, body aches, runny nose,
vomiting, etc. Use your imagination. Remember, if
your virus is an airborne virus, what would help it
spread. But don't make it too deadly, it will kill off its
host before it spreads!
5. Name your virus. Be creative. You can name it after
yourself if you want.

6. List any possible ways that the virus may use to

survive. Does it just have minor symptoms of
coughing and sneezing but then mutates to a deadly
form after it has spread? (Some diseases like the
plague did just that). Is it resistant to drugs or to
vaccines? Does it live in birds like the avian flu when
it is not causing an epidemic, or in pigs like the swine
flu?
When you are done you will present your virus to the
class

Evaluation Rubric

ARTISITIC
IMAGE OF
YOUR VIRUS

BEGINNER

INTERMEDIATE

ACCOMPLISHED

EXEMPLORY

Score

Not well drawn or

colored; little
detail shown; no
receptors on virus
surface little
effort

Some effort shown;

color and detail
shows time and
work put in;
receptors on virus
surface shown.

Creative use of
materials in virus
design and
execution; good
detail of virus
structure.

Excellent use of
materials;
creative design
and attention to
details;
imaginative;
creative.

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Virus Mode of Lack of

Transmission understanding
how disease
spreads; lack of
information on
prevention

Some understanding Good description of

of disease
transmission
transmission; some prevention;
ideas on
information from
prevention; not
CDC; some good
much information ideas on personal
given.
plan.

Excellent use of 1-2-3information from 4

CDC site
transmission and
prevention;
insights on daily
life.

Presentation
of Virus Poster
and
Information

Explanation of virus
more organized;
ideas presented
well; more
information
needed.

Excellent
presentation of
researched
information;
explanation of
picture;
organized, good
information on

Not well prepared

for presentation;
not good
organization;
difficult to follow.

Good overall
presentation; some
details lacking in
prevention or
transmission; shows
good understanding.

1-2-34

prevention.