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Attack of the giant viruses

  • Key Stage 3
  • Topical

Type: Activity
Learning Strategy: Case study
Topic: Infectious disease

Scientists have discovered a giant 30 000 year old virus still alive under the permafrost. As the world warms, others will be uncovered. Could such an ancient virus wipe out the human race? In this activity, learn how to interrogate sources to separate science fact from fiction.

The Attack of the giant viruses activity comes from ENGAGE, the EU-wide project from the upd8 team.
Visit the ENGAGE website to download the materials.

Published: 5th November 2014
Reviews & Comments: 0

Learning objectives

In this lesson students will:
Apply knowledge of microorganisms to check the facts in a newspaper report
Evaluate how trustworthy scientific reports are in the media

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England National Curriculum KS3:
Working Scientifically: Interrogate media reports to evaluate how trustworthy they are
Biology: Cells and organisation

GCSE Combined Science subject content:
Working Scientifically: Development of scientific thinking: evaluate associated personal, social, economic and environmental implications
Biology: explain how communicable diseases (caused by viruses, bacteria, protists and fungi) are spread in animals and plants

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