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Elementary

Lesson 1

Meet the Germs

Students learn about the differences between viruses and bacteria to understand that disease arises from different kinds of agents. An illustrated reading passage about Martinus Beijerinck, a Dutch scientist who discovered viruses, introduces the idea that there is a human story behind scientific discovery. A lesson activity extends the learning around Beijerinck by having students identify the steps of the scientific method in his story of discovery. 

Lesson Questions

  • What is a virus? 
  • Who discovered viruses? 
  • How did the scientific method lead to the discovery of viruses?
  • What are the differences between viruses and bacteria? 

Lesson Files

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