DISEASE ACTIVITIES

BSCS
Evolution is a Microcosm

Overview of Activity
Students study the high mutation rate in HIV and how that makes the use of medicinal treatment difficult through a series of activities and readings.

Activity Type: In Class Group Activity
URLs: Microcosm Teacher Pages
Grade Level: 9-12
Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Amount of Time Required for Activity: Two 50-minute Class Periods
Recommended Uses:
Prior to attending exhibit, this activity may be used to teach students about HIV and how RNA viruses differ from other viruses, impacting treatment methods.
After visiting the exhibit, it may be used to ensure that students have a broader understanding of HIV and how it differs from other viruses.

Description
Students begin by discussing vaccines and use their background knowledge about them to address the concept of why they differ. They then do a reading about RNA viruses and how HIV evolved over time in a patient. After completing this reading, students develop a phylogenetic tree of HIV in the "microcosm" of a single patient based on the mutations that appeared in that individual. In teams, they answer questions about viral phylogeny, which will be followed by a class discussion about their responses and understanding. After building this base knowledge about HIV and viral evolution, students are presented with a case study where they take on the role of medical personnel advising an HIV patient. Teachers can assess student understanding by having students write a short paper comparing viral evolution to that of larger organisms.

This activity was designed by BSCS and the American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS) as part of a series of evolution related activities in the book Evolutionary Science and Society: Activities for the Classroom

Relation to the Science Standards
High School
Content Standard A - Abilities Necessary to Do Scientific Inquiry
Content Standard C - Behavior of Organisms
Content Standard F - Personal and Community Health

Related Part of the Exhibit
Antiretrovirals and the HIV Epidemic
Microbial Evolution

Additional Related Links
Microcosm Worksheet 13.1
Microcosm Worksheet 13.2
Microcosm Worksheet 13.3
Microcosm Worksheet 13.4
Microcosm Worksheet 13.5
Microcosm Worksheet 13.6

Additional Related Links
Tanzania Implements HIV Prevention Measures as World Marks AIDS Day- NewsHour, November 30, 2007
In Rwanda , U.S.-backed program Improves Access to AIDS Drugs - NewsHour, November 14, 2007
Government of Thailand Battles AIDS Epidemic - NewsHour, June 12, 2007
South Africa Steps Up Fight Against AIDS - NewsHour, February 1, 2007
AIDS in Africa - In Depth Report - NewsHour