Bird Flu Webquest

Introduction – The news is increasingly full of reports of cases of “Bird Flu,” as it spreads across the globe. This relatively new illness seems to baffle medical professionals and governments, as they wonder what to do to prepare for its spread from birds to humans. We listen to the news reports and are faced with many unanswered questions about what this disease is and what it might mean for each of us now and in the future. You have been named to a special project team to help government officials in your area formulate plans for understanding and dealing with the threat of Bird Flu.

Task: Your team will use the Internet to locate information about viruses, influenza, pandemics, and the Bird Flu. You will then prepare a Power Point presentation that demonstrates what you find, and makes recommendations. You are responsible for including all of the following information in your presentation:

• What is the flu (Influenza)?
• How can the flu normally be treated/avoided?
• List at least five facts/factors that set the Bird Flu apart from a “typical” year’s influenza virus.
• Describe the historical event of the Spanish Flu Pandemic. How can this event be compared to the potential seriousness of the Bird Flu?
• In your own words, describe the nature of the problem with the Bird Flu in “worldwide” or “global” terms. Where is the threat most severe? Where is it less serious at present? Use evidence from “experts” to back up your assessment of the risks.
• Include a map (or maps) that show the current incidence of Bird Flu world wide.
• Design a plan for world leaders to deal with the Bird Flu. Your plan should include mechanisms for isolating the virus, and indicate that you have understood how it is spread and where it has already become a health concern. Pay attention to the nature of viral infections as you make your plans, and be aware of what can and cannot be achieved medically.
• Write a letter to a government official of your choice (either U.S. or any other government around the world), discussing the problem of the Bird Flu. Your letter can be used to express your thoughts about this problem in any way you wish… you could present a solution, offer sympathy, express your feelings. What will you say?

Roles:
Historian – Responsible for understanding historical pandemics and relating this information to the present threat or lack of threat caused by the Bird Flu. You must help your team understand how other flu epidemics and pandemics might help us understand and deal with this particular disease.
Policy Analyst – You are responsible for researching the possible ways that governments might created policies and laws designed to help minimize the spread of the Bird Flu, and/or help their populations to cope with it if it does begin to spread within their countries. What can be done by governments to help manage the effects of this disease?
Medical Researcher – Your role is to focus on the nature of the flu itself: what exactly is it? Where is it spreading? How can it be treated or prevented? What can be done, from a medical perspective, to slow or stop its spread?

Resources: Use these Websites to help you begin your studies --
Kids Health
CDC - Bird Flu
World Health Organization
BBC News -- Bird Flu
WebMD -- Bird Flu
Nature -- Avian Flu
Spanish Flu Pandemic

Spanish Flu Stories

Evaluation: Your work for this WebQuest will be graded using the following rubric.
GRADING RUBRIC FOR POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS

KNOWLEDGE: 5 4 3 2 1 Shows an understanding of the material Able to answer questions
LENGTH: 5 4 3 2 1 Long enough to adequately cover assigned topic
CONTENT: 5 4 3 2 1 Topic covered thoroughly Enough information given to understand topic Did not exclude any important information or include any unnecessary information
DESIGN: 5 4 3 2 1 Very creative Easy to see and follow All graphics contributed to content
PRESENTATION: 5 4 3 2 1 Included class in the learning process Did more than read to the class
TOTAL ________

Reflection:
Evaluate this project. What have you learned? What do you understand now that is different from when you began? What do you want to do with the knowledge that you have gained? What has changed about you?