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TSEC Strategies for Teachers of 5-14 Science -
Improving Science Education CPD through Practical Activities
LESSON PLAN: GROWTH OF MOULD (LEVELS E & F)
 

Attainment targetS:

ISE code

Describe the harmful and beneficial role of microorganisms.

LT-F1.1

PLANNED ACTIVITIES       PREPARING FOR AN INVESTIGATION       CARRYING OUT TASK
 REPORTING & REVIEWING TASK     MODEL LEVEL F REPORT

Knowledge and Understanding

Pupils know :

  • that mould grows on bread

  • that temperature affects the rate of growth

  • health and safety points

Skills

All skills listed could and would be developed during this activity. From a management point of view for assessing progress, a focus for development e.g. planning or an aspect of recording could be chosen and pupils would plan, carry out, report and review their investigation, differentiation being managed through level of support and outcome.

In the exemplar, pupils working at different levels are shown carrying out the same investigation. A different response to planning, accuracy, reliability, recording and awareness of variables defines the two groups of pupils as working within different levels.

The focus for this class activity is highlighted, in particular the reviewing target. The pupils were encouraged to review orally, the teacher listening and interacting only to challenge or clarify.
 

VOCABULARY

VARIABLES, VALUE, HYPOTHESIS, ACCURATE, AUTOCLAVE, MOULD.

PLANNED ACTIVITIES
 

Activity

Organisation

Resources

Questions

Pupils viewed different moulds on bread and cheese in sealed bags.

Discussion on why the bags were sealed.

Asked to consider what factors might affect the growth of these moulds. Then to plan an investigation on one of the factors. 		 Pairs

Samples of mould sealed in bags

Why are these bags sealed?

How do we dispose of them?

What do you think will affect the growth of moulds?

How can you find out?

How will you measure?

What will you change?

What variables will you keep the same?

What are your variables? (input and outcome)
Pupils carry out an investigation into the effect of different temperatures on the growth of moulds and record their findings appropriately. Pairs

Lab resources, autoclave, oven, fridge,

Different types of graph paper, paper, acetate sheets, ruler 		 Questions where appropriate to challenge.
Pupils review their results and write report.      

PREPARING FOR AN INVESTIGATION
 

Level D

LEVEL E

LEVEL F
Individually or in small groups will identify two or three questions to investigate. Individually or in small groups will identify a number of key questions to investigate. Individually or in small groups will formulate a reasonable hypothesis about the outcomes of an investigation.
Should identify and select appropriate sources of information, evidence and resources or equipment and be able to give reasons for their planning decisions. Should decide on appropriate strategies sources of information, evidence and resources or equipment to carry out a fair investigation. Should be able to decide appropriate strategies sources of information, evidence and resources or equipment to investigate the hypothesis with due attention given to fair testing.
Should now be able to plan a fair test. Should now be able to plan a valid and reliable test for a given hypothesis. Planning should include finding out how one variable is dependent on another.

CARRYING OUT THE TASK
 

Level D

LEVEL E

LEVEL F
Should select and use appropriate equipment and techniques to collect information.   Should select and use a range of equipment and standard techniques.
Measurements should involve them in estimating and measuring accurately distance, time, weight, area, volume, temperature in small and large standard units selecting appropriate units and measuring device.   Measurements should involve them in estimating and measuring accurately to scale where appropriate.
Should be able to select, given a range of options, an appropriate way of recording findings Should be able to select, given a range of options, and use (without assistance) an appropriate way of recording findings Should be able to select and use without assistance an appropriate way of recording findings

REPORTING AND REVIEWING  THE TASK
 

Level D

LEVEL E

LEVEL F
Provide explanations for outcomes. Should now establish link between the results and original hypothesis.  
Can give an illustrated report, organised in appropriate sequence with appropriate illustrations. Should be able to write a systematic and structured report outlining the stages in their investigation using appropriate illustrations and scientific vocabulary.  
Should be able to reflect critically on the approach used and identify shortcomings. Should be able to reflect critically on the approach used and identify shortcomings and limitations and suggest improvements that could be made Should be able to evaluate a range of aspects of the investigation including reliability and relevance.

Model level F report

Aim:  to investigate the effect of temperature on growth of mould

Hypothesis

The higher the temperature the faster the growth of mould

Apparatus and materials

  • Oven, cupboard and fridge

  • 9 sealable plastic bags

  • thermometer           

  • 9 slices of bread

  • graph paper

  • marker pen

  • acetate paper

  • scalpel

Method

  • The bread from the same loaf was cut with the scalpel into squares of side 10cm to make sure they were all the same size.

  • Each of the nine squares of bread was carefully sealed in a plastic bag.

  • The temperature of the oven, the cupboard and the fridge was measured and recorded.

  • Three bags of bread were placed in the oven, three in the cupboard and three in the in the fridge.

  • Seven days later the bags were removed. Care was taken to avoid disturbing the seal.

  • The mould growth in each was recorded by placing  an acetate sheet over the bag and drawing around the mould with a  marker pen

  • The area of mould was measured by placing the acetate on millimetre graph paper. The squares covered were counted. Part squares in all samples were not counted.

Results
 

Temperature( 0C)

Area of sample 1(mm2)

Area of sample 2(mm2)

Area of sample 3(mm2)

Average Area(mm2)

4

0

0

0

0

21

10

15

21

15.33

30

42

32

48

40.67

Conclusion and discussion

The results show that for this bread and this mould the higher the temperature (until 300C), the faster the growth of the mould. However there are only three temperature readings and to support the conclusion the experiment should be repeated with a wider range of temperatures perhaps at 50C, 100C, 200C, 250C and 300C.

To investigate whether this trend continues at higher temperatures, tests would have to be carried out at temperatures higher than 300C and as this is not possible in class the conclusion might only apply to temperatures lower than 300C.

To check whether the result applies generally, other breads could be investigated and perhaps other moulds.

Sample 2 was placed in the cupboard without light to keep the conditions the same as the other two samples but the temperature over the week varied.

The quantity of light was controlled but not the temperature; therefore this test should be repeated in an incubator as the results collected are not valid. To improve the accuracy of measuring the area of mould, a magnifying lens could be used and part squares covering more than half could be recorded as one.
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INTERACTIVE - TEACHING     LEARNING PLANNING FOR IMPROVEMENT - SCHOOL   AUTHORITY  -BASED APPROACHES
DEVELOPING - SKILLS     UNDERSTANDING OUTWITH THE CLASSROOM RAISING ETHICAL ISSUES HEALTH AND SAFETY
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