Martine N. Joseph                                                                                   Return to Biology Menu

George W. Wingate High School, Brooklyn

Living Environment

Summer 2001

Autoimmune Disease

Cooperative Learning Activity

Introduction

The word "auto" is the Greek word for self. The immune system is a complicated network of cells and cell components that normally work to defend the body and eliminate infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and other invading microbes. If a person has an autoimmune disease, the immune system mistakenly attacks self, targeting the cells, tissues, and organs of a person's own body. After a thorough research and evaluation of related scientific literature, you and your partner will make an informed presentation to your classmates on one of the many different autoimmune diseases.

 Task

1.      Pair up with a classmate and choose one of the following 18 autoimmune diseases:

 

 

 

Multiple Sclerosis

 

Myasthenia gravis

 

 

 

 

Crohn's disease

 

Ulcerative colitis

 

 

 

Autoimmune Hepatitis

 

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia

 

 

 

Pernicious Anemia

 

Type I diabetes mellitus

 

 

 

Grave's disease

 

Hashimoto's thyroiditis

 

 

 

Primary biliary cirrhosis

 

Behcet's disease

 

 

 

Rheumatoid arthritis

 

Systemic Lupus erythematosus

 

 

 

Scleroderma

 

Psoriasis

 

 

 

Vitiligo

 

Sjogren's syndrome

 

 

2.      Using the Internet (go to http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/autoimmune/textonly.htm for a list of useful websites), science articles and other publication from the national foundation for this disease, make an oral presentation and provide a written report of your group's findings. Be sure to address the following questions:

Ø    Whom does this autoimmune disease affect?

Ø     What are the causes of this disease? Is it inherited or contagious?

Ø     What other factors may influence the development of this disease?

Ø     How is this disease diagnosed and treated?

Ø     How can it be prevented?

Ø     What research is under way on this disease?

 

3.      You must use PowerPoint or any other software program to present your work. Be sure to include as many visual aides as possible i.e. pictures, graphs.   

 

4.      Both the teacher and your classmates will evaluate your work.

 

5.      You will be graded on the following criteria

     (A rubric outlining these criteria should be given to student prior to grading.)

ü       Clear, concise, and accurate answers to project directed questions

ü       Use of graphic representation of data and ideas

ü       Understanding of content and issues associated with this disease

ü       Response to questions and ideas from classmates

 

This activity aligns with learning standards 1,2, 4, 5 and 7. It also applies to the following performance standards:

Life Science Concepts                                     S2a and S2c.

Scientific connections and applications          S4c, S4d and S4e

Scientific thinking                                           S5e and S5f

Scientific tools and technologies                    S6d, S6e

Scientific communication                                S7a, S7e