Students will learn about the delicate ecosystem that exists within their own digestive tract. They will create their own chatbot to interview a member of that ecosystem, exploring how their health and the health of their microbiome are intertwined.
Through tinkering with the chatbot, they will discover some advantages and disadvantages to AI and discuss ethical implications of the technology.
Curriculum Links
- Grade 4 Science – Biomes
- Grade 5 Science – Body Systems – Digestion
- Grade 6 Science – Body Systems – Excretion
- Grade 7 Science – Natural Selection – Survival Needs
- Grade 4/5 Health Education – Balanced Lifestyle – Illness Prevention
- Grade 6/7 Health Education – Healthy Choices – Communicable Diseases
- Grade 4/5/6/7 English Language Arts – Language Features & Structures
- Grade 6/7 ADST Modules – Computational Thinking, Digital Literacy, Food Studies
- Many curricular competencies from Science, ADST, ELA, and Health Education are incorporated.
Requirements
- Each student will need a laptop (preferable) or iPad with internet access, with a webpage open at menti.com
- Note for iPad users: this workshop is possible on an iPad, however students must already be comfortable with typing, and copying & pasting on an iPad and switching between browser tabs.
- During the lesson, students will be provided with a link to some bacteria profiles. If you would like to print that information in advance, the documents can be found on the A.I. Bacteria Profiles page.
Pre-Workshop Activities (optional)
- Eat a Rainbow: This activity has students identify and think about the variety of fruits & vegetables they eat.
- Contamination Station: In this activity, students explore how germs spread and how effective handwashing can prevent illness. (Glo Germ supplies needed)
- Yeast-inflated balloons: Gut bacteria often produce gasses. This activity demonstrates another microorganism often found on our bodies and environments, and the gas it produces. You could discuss differences between fungal and bacterial microorganisms.
- Poop Factory: This physical game explores the digestive system.
Required Post-workshop Survey
- You will be required to complete a demographic survey upon completion of this workshop. For more information about why we are collecting this information, visit Science World’s Tech-Up page.
