Activities & Programs

Visit the Museum

Waterborne Diseases

Program Aim

These modules aim to illustrate how waterborne diseases are transmitted, the conditions that contribute to their spread, and the importance of developments in science and public health for their control and prevention.

PROGRAM ORGANIZATION

This program consists of two parts. Although the classroom teacher may choose to do only one part, doing both is recommended. Part I, The Biology of Waterborne Diseases, examines what types of microorganisms cause waterborne infections, how the infections are transmitted between hosts, how these infections make us sick, and how our body tries to fight them. It also explores the incidence of waterborne diseases in different regions of the world and the roles played by different professionals in the control of outbreaks of waterborne diseases.

Part II, The Prevention and Control of Waterborne Diseases, examines the microbiological quality of water that is safe to drink, where microbial pollution comes from, why we need to protect drinking-water sources, and the public-health measures that ensure a safe drinking-water supply. Part II also explores some of the technologically simple innovations that are being introduced to help reduce the incidence of waterborne diseases in developing countries.

The program has several components and the two parts, including pre- and post-visit activities, and requires a minimum of two 90-minute periods with museum staff and a further two 90-minute periods with the classroom teacher to complete. The program components include a pre-visit activity, two visits to the school by museum personnel, and a post-visit activity. The pre-visit and post-visit activities are fully developed activities to be delivered by the classroom teacher. The museum sessions include the following.

• a brief PowerPoint introduction to the purpose and context of the program;
• an explanation of the procedures for students to follow while working in small groups and rotating to each of five activity stations for each part of the program;
• students making discoveries of the material, carrying out hands-on activities, and discussing and answering questions at each activity station;
• a summary activity to synthesize and build on student learning;
• a self-evaluation and
• optional quiz.

The five activity stations of each part present information via hands-on activities, photographs, artefacts, and documents that include posters, maps, charts, and tables.

TEACHER'S KIT

Table of Contents

• Program Summary
• Program Learning Goals and Objectives
• Program Links to the Ontario Curriculum
• Program Elements
• Pre-visit Activities
• Program - Part I (The Biology and Geography of Waterborne Diseases)
  • Introduction (PowerPoint Presentation)
  • Activities 1-5
  • Summary Activity
• Program - Part II (The Prevention and Control of Waterborne Diseases)
  • Suggestions for Pre-visit Preparation
  • Activities 1-5
  • Summary Activity
  • Post-visit Activity
• Appendices
  • Student worksheets
  • Student self-assessment
  • Teacher Resources

Check out a summary of Background Information. "Death in a Glass": our online exhibit on waterborne diseases