| CareerZone Lesson Plan Registry
http://www.nycareerzone.org/resources/lessonplans |
| How can we find out about jobs that involve using a microscope? |
| Author(s): Robert Shimony |
| Grades: 9 - 12 |
| Subject: Mathematics, Science and Technology |
|
|
| Learning Context:
One of the most commonly asked questions in Biology classes is "Why do I have to know (or do) this?" Often the answer we give is "So you can pass the class" or "So you will better understand what we are doing in class." A better, more relevant answer, however, is "So you can improve your chances of getting a job!" This lesson will help the student see how laboratory skills and abilities learned in a Biology class, especially microscopy, are applicable to jobs, other than pure science occupations. |
| Procedure:
Teacher should motivate lesson by showing a short video clip from a popular medically oriented TV show like ER, Chicago Hope, or Diagnosis Murder that shows the use of microscopes. 1. Students should find current events items from newspapers, news magazines, science journals, or the Internet that involve the use of microscopes. 2. Students should determine the type of microscope used, the type of cells, tissues, or material being observed, and estimate the magnification the microscope is providing. 3. Students should go into the CareerZone web site and click onto "Natural and Agricultural Sciences". They should then research and list fifteen jobs that would involve using microscopes. They should NOT include the obvious ones like Biologists, Botanists, or Microbiologists on their lists. 4. Students should pick three of these jobs and use the CareerZone links to answer these questions: a. What is the expected demand for these jobs in the next ten years? b. Where are the demands greatest? c. What other laboratory skills are needed on this job? d. What education and training is required to enter this field? e. What are the working conditions for these jobs? f. What are the starting and average salaries for each job? 5. Students should write an essay of between 250-300 words about the news item. They should include how it might impact other jobs in the future. They should conclude the essay by explaining in what ways microscopy is a necessary job skill for many people. |
| Instructional/Environmental Modifications:
none |
| Materials and Supplies:
1. Computer with Internet Connection 2. Word processing program 3. Newspapers and magazines 4. Science journals |
| Time Required:
Planning: 1 period Implementation: Procedures 1-3, 1 period Procedures 4-5, 1 period Procedure 6, Homework Assessment: 2-3 hours |
| Assessment Tools and Techniques:
1. Essay - 50% 2. Procedure #5 - 50% |
| Reflections:
This series of lessons is designed for a Biology class, but is applicable to other science classes and to Introduction to Occupations. It is intended to allow students to explore jobs that they may not be familiar with. As a result of the lessons they should be more aware of the use of laboratory skills in the workforce and the fact that school-based learning activities are relevant to later occupations. The essay is intended to practice writing skills and also to help students see that the harder they work in school, the better prepared they will be to find a job. Microscopy was chosen as the key laboratory skill because it is one that will remain essentially hands-on for the foreseeable future. Automation, digital cameras, and computers are changing the way images are processed, printed, and transferred, but the actual production of the image should remain a mostly manual skill. |