UNDERSTANDING AFRICA - THROUGH DISEASE Web Quest

Infectious disease and illnesses have ravaged the continent of Africa throughout history.  The following classroom activity will explore 4 specific illnesses/diseases in order to further understand what faces the people and the basic culture of the African continent.  What is it? Why does Africa suffer from these?  Are Americans at risk?  Should I care about these diseases/health issues? ....well let's see!  Note: students will need the "Disease in Africa" worksheet in order to guide their experience below. Click HERE to Download Worksheet

Learning Targets:
#1 - I can describe the causes of economic imbalances and social inequalities among the world's people in the post-colonial world and efforts made to close those gaps. 8.4.3.14.1

#2 - I can obtain and analyze geographic information from a variety of sources to answer specific geographic questions. 8.3.1.1.1

STEP #1 - DEFINE THE ESSENTIAL VOCABULARY

Please use a simple Google Search and write the definitions of the following words in on your "Disease in Africa" Worksheet: Disease, Virus, Vaccine, Epidemic, Pandemic, Symptom, Fatality Rate, Poverty & Biological Vector

Essential Vocab Slideshow

STEP #2 - INTRO

Take a bit of time and watch the 3 videos below...these videos are just to get us all thinking about the wide scale affects of disease and illness in our world.

Epidemic vs Pandemic Video (2 min)
TOP 10 World Pandemics Video (2min)
Deadliest Animal on Earth Video (45 sec)

STEP #3 - AIDS

This section of the activity is to explore the basics of the AIDS virus in general.  Please open the slide show below and follow the prompts throughout to slideshow...you will be using the linked supplemental AIDS Materials.

AIDS Introduction Slideshow (if this link does not work…it is on schoology…sorry)

Supplemental AIDS Materials...
Where did AIDS come From? Video (2min)
AIDS Conspiracy Theory Article
How is AIDS Spread? Article
Can Mosquitoes Spread AIDS Article

STEP #4 - EBOLA

The Ebola section of this activity revolves around the 14 minute video below...you do have a a few questions to answer about the Ebola virus & they may not all be answered during the video...if you are missing answers post video...Google it!

EBOLA Hot Zone Video (14min)
Ebola Basics Article

ACTIVITY SECTION #5 - ZIKA

Zika has been ALL OVER the news in the past year...please view the short video and answer the questions about the Zika Virus.

ZIKA What we Know & Don't Know Video (5 min)

ACTIVITY SECTION #6 - MALARIA

Sub-Saharan Africa carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2015, the region was home to 88% of malaria cases and 90% of malaria deaths...the proceeding excerpt was taken from the World Health Organization (WHO) website, so I guess we better do a bit or research regarding this deadly (and preventable) illness.  Below you will find a video introducing Malaria & the WHO website pages outlining Malaria.

What is Malaria? Video (3 min)
World Health Organization - Malaria Article
 

ACTIVITY SECTION #7 - IN CLOSING

Why are we looking at these diseases in Africa? Is there something wrong with Africa?  Seriously, why does Africa get hit so hard? Would like you to take a bit of time and ready the TOP 10 list outlining "Poverty" in Africa.  I believe you should be able to find the reasons why disease is so tough on the African continent. Formal Writing Assignment = 2 COMPLETE sentences that highlight…Sent #1 - Why are we looking at Disease in Africa? and Sent #2 - Why does Africa get hit so hard by disease and illness?

Formal Writing Goals - Disease in Africa
#1 - ALL Words Spelled Correctly
#2 - ALL Proper Nouns Capitalized
#3 - Capitalize First Word in Sentence
#4 - Can’t use THE, BUT, WE or I as first words
#5 - Correct Punctuation throughout sentence
#6 - Must have at least 10 words in Sentence
#7 - Run-On and Fragmented Sentences are NOT allowed!

**PLEASE think of these sentences as “attention grabber” or “hooks” for a paragraph!!!

10 Poverty Facts of Africa Article