RICE Web Adventures: MedMyst Games - Scientific Method

Objective: Engage students and activate prior knowledge about scientific research and the scientific method.

Activity:
1.    Quick Brainstorm: Ask students, "What do you think scientists do to prevent diseases from spreading?" (Examples: Study animals, create vaccines, analyze data).
2.    Use a visual: Show images of a microbiologist, veterinarian, and epidemiologist at work.
3.    Pose the question: "How might scientists work together to stop the spread of a disease like rabies?"

Materials: Slide with images or printed visuals of professions.

Objective: Introduce the game Disease Defenders and explain how it connects to the scientific method.
Steps:
1.    Introduce three science professions:o    Microbiologist: Studies microorganisms that cause diseases.

• Veterinarian: Cares for animals and prevents animal-borne diseases.
• Epidemiologist: Tracks disease outbreaks and determines causes.

2.    Highlight the purpose of the game: "You will play as one of these scientists in the game Disease Defenders, where you will prevent the spread of rabies by forming and testing hypotheses."

3.    Show the vocabulary words students need to know: Hypothesis, variable (independent/dependent), data, observation.

• Use a pre-made vocabulary worksheet to review definitions.

Materials: Vocabulary worksheet, mission introduction visuals.

Objective: Model the key concepts of the scientific method (hypothesis, variables, and data collection).

Steps:

1.    Walk students through the steps of the scientific method using a relevant real-world example: "If we want to test whether vaccinating dogs will reduce rabies cases, how would we create a hypothesis and test it?"

• Formulate hypothesis: "Vaccinating 80% of dogs will lower rabies cases by 50%."
• Identify variables: Independent = Vaccination rate, Dependent = Rabies cases.
• Collect data: Show an example line chart of rabies cases in animals over time.

2.    Model the game briefly by showing the Disease Defenders interface (optional: provide a 2-3 minute live demo).

Materials: Chart example (authentic data), game screenshot, scientific method steps visual.

Objective: Allow students to apply their understanding of the scientific method while interacting with the game.

Activity:

1.    Game Play: Students work individually or in pairs to play Disease Defenders.

• Assign each group a specific profession (microbiologist, veterinarian, or epidemiologist).
• Provide them with the Mission Log to record:
  
  • Hypotheses they form during the game.
  • Data they observe and collect.
  • Conclusions they draw.

2.    Monitor and Support: Walk around the room to help with navigation and questions about hypotheses, variables, or observations.

Materials: Computers with Internet access, Mission Log worksheets.

Objective: Check for understanding and reinforce key concepts from the game.

Activity:

1.    Small Group Debrief: Students discuss their findings in their pairs or groups:

• • What was your hypothesis, and did the results support it?
  • What variables were you able to change?
  • How did the professions (microbiologist, veterinarian, epidemiologist) work together in the game?

2.    Whole-Class Discussion: Use guiding questions:

• •  "How did you use the scientific method to solve the problem?"
  • "What real-world skills did you practice in the game?"

3.    Review the key concepts:

• • Hypothesis, independent/dependent variables, and how data drives scientific decisions.

Materials: Mission Log notes, discussion prompts.

Objective: Connect the game to real-world scenarios and careers.

Activity:

1.    Authentic Data Analysis: Provide a chart or graph showing rabies cases in animals over time. Students analyze the data and answer questions:

•  "What trends do you see in the data?"
•  "How might scientists use this data to make decisions?"

2.    Career Reflection: Ask students to write a short paragraph:

• "If you were a microbiologist, veterinarian, or epidemiologist, what would you do to stop a disease outbreak?"

3.    Share a few responses with the class.

Materials: Rabies case chart/graph, writing prompt.