Adopt-a-Microbe Project

Overview

This project has two principal components. One is the technical website where you will be applying all that we learn during the course of the semester to your own adopted microbial species. The other is a non-technical informational pamphlet, presenting the key features of your microbe in simple language that an average school-age child could understand. During the last week of classes, we will present the pamphlets and technical websites for evaluation before the entire class.

Websites

We will create the websites using the SeedWiki, online website building utility:

http://www.seedwiki.com/

As you get better at using this utility, you will find it easier to be more creative with your postings, or to even create sub-pages within your website. I would like the website to be a nice combination of solid technical information presented in an aesthetically pleasing and well organized context.

Technical Information

Be sure to carefully research the background information on your microbe. For each major topic that we cover in the course, explain how it works, or pertains to your microbe. For instance, what is its taxonomic status, or how does it fit within the evolutionary groups of microbes that we cover in Unit One. For Unit Two, what are the physiological and genetic characteristics of your microbe? What are its metabolic requirements? Can you find a representative diagram of its basic physiological processes? Of its reproductive and/or gene-sharing modes? Of its genetic map or genetic sequence? For Unit Three, how does your microbe adapt to the different environments where it might be found?

As you add information, please reference the sources of your information. If the source is another website, you can include a live link to that website. If it is from your text or another book source, be sure to give the complete bibliographic information.

In this technical part of your website, use graphics, photos, and images, along with complete textual descriptions to provide a very comprehensive background on your microbe:

I recommend organizing your technical information in clearly labeled sections, or if you choose, sub-pages of the website. These sections should include the first three units of our course as their major themes:

• Diversity and Taxonomy of your microbe species
• Metabolism or Cellular Physiology of your microbe species
• Genetics of your microbe including any information on genetic map or sequence
• Environment where your microbe lives, including its life cycle and, if applicable, its route of transmission and infection as a pathogen
• Body’s Immune Response to your microbe (optional)

For each section of your website, you might want to include a Resources or Additional Information section where you give links to all the websites you have encountered related to your microbe. It is very helpful to include a short description of what would be found at each of those website links. Be sure the links are “live” or active and working.

Pamphlet

For the pamphlet, imagine you are now presenting the salient, or most important, features of your microbe to a group of grade school or high school students. Design a one-page pamphlet that is eye-catching, includes pictures and text, uses simple words, but directly and impactfully explains the importance of your microbe. You might want to organize it around the main themes or sections of your website and you certainly can and probably should use the same information and images that are on your website.

You might make it a triptych, or a one-page design. You can use one or both sides of the sheet and expect to print up enough copies for the whole class. You can use any design tools that you feel comfortable with—computer, hand-drawn art and text, cut-and-paste, or any other medium you like to use. I realize that printing or copying in color is expensive and black and white copies will be fine for the class. Just remember you will need about 24 copies of the pamphlet, one for each member of the class.

Evaluation

• Completeness—are all the semester’s topics and how they apply to your microbe addressed?
• Correctness—is the information correct and well researched? Please be sure to cite your sources as you post information on your microbe.
• Organization—are the website and pamphlet easy to understand and are the topics clearly organized?
• Style—do the website and pamphlet have a “look” or aesthetics that are catchy or pleasing?

Necessary Steps and Peer Review

If you follow all these steps throughout the semester, including the ones that involve reviewing your peers websites, then you shouldn’t have a problem receiving full credit for your work on your adopted microbe.

1. Create your website.
2. Initial posting with the name and picture of your microbe, in time for first website chat
3. Posting of Evolution, Diversity and Taxonomy Information on your microbe (Applying what is learned in Unit 1 to your microbe).
4. Feedback for peers (in your color group) on Evolution, Diversity, Taxonomy information. You must participate in first chat to review websites.
5. Posting of Genetics/Physiology and Environment/Ecology Information to your microbe (Applying what is learned in Units 2, 3 to your microbe).
6. Feedback for peers (in your color group) on Units 2, 3 information. You must participate in second chat to review websites.
7. Creation of pamphlet to present to class.
8. Class presentation of your website and pamphlet.

Notes on class presentation

Each of you will have five minutes (exactly timed and cut off at the end of the five minutes) to present your microbe with an additional two minutes for questions. This is a very short period of time and requires an extremely organized and well rehearsed presentation. As the time comes near, I will talk about how to prepare for a presentation, but it does not hurt to start thinking about it.

One of the few things, on surveys, that people say they fear more than death, is a public presentation!! And the best way to combat those nerves is to prepare and practice your presentation. The fact that you have a pamphlet and website as backup information to show the group is very helpful. But…don’t fall into the trap of just thinking you’ll take us through the website and be done. Your website will be way too complicated and complete to cover in five minutes and you must choose a maximum of three important and interesting points to show us. So, please PLAN YOUR PRESENTATION. One way to think about it is a generic presentation outline:

_____________________

Introduction—something catchy to get our attention

Main Points:

1. show and tell us a big important point about your microbe
2. another big and important point about your microbe—each of these should have only one location or figure on your pamphlet and website
3. another big and important point

Conclusion: Go back to your introduction. Give us a summary of the importance of your microbe. Close with a nice upbeat tone and ask for questions.

_______________________

There went your five minutes!! Please be ready.

My hope and your goal is for your website/pamphlet and presentation to serve as a standard-setting, high-quality resource for all future Microbiology students who might be interested in your particular chosen microbe! Please think quality and completeness!!