Biosafety · SHS2 Biomedical Science

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: 2.1.2.LI.1 - Describe features of the biosafety levels and proper practice.

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

List the four biosafety levels (BSL-1 to BSL-4) in ascending order of risk and protection required.
Describe at least three key features of each biosafety level, including standard practices, safety equipment, and facility requirements.
Match specific pathogens and toxins (viruses, bacteria, fungi) to their appropriate biosafety level and justify the grouping.
Explain why BSL-3 and BSL-4 facilities carry high risk and demand stricter safety protocols.
Create a labelled diagram showing the features of each biosafety level and present it orally to peers.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Biomedical Science in Society (Strand 1)
Sub-strand: Biosafety (1.2)
Content standard: 2.1.2.CS.1 - Demonstrate an understanding of the essence of protection from biohazard exposure. 2.1.2.LO.1 Explain the need for protection from biohazard exposure.
Indicator: 2.1.2.LI.1 - Describe features of the biosafety levels and proper practice.
Suggested placement: Semester 1, Week 5 (Week 5 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Curriculum reference: NaCCA curriculum document, p. 56

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

Managing Talk for Learning: The teacher leads the class to identify the pathogens (virus, bacteria, fungi, etc.) and toxins that present risks to humans. Learners discuss and group the risks by aligning them to the biosafety levels.
Collaborative Learning: From the discussion, learners define biological safety level as a description of the minimum set of standard practices, safety equipment, and facility requirements that provide protection to personnel, the environment, and community when working with biological hazards.
Activity-Based Learning: Work together to group risks and create diagrams to represent the various biosafety levels (BSL) and justify the basis for the groupings.
Talk for Learning: Discuss the features of the BSLs and corresponding proper lab practice. NB: Learners need to be aware of the high risk associated with BSL-3 and BSL-4 facilities
Teaching and Learning Resources:
- Textbooks
- Chats
- Writing boards
- Projector
- PPEs
- Dye
- Lab space
- Videos
- Notebooks
- Textbooks
- Whiteboards
Assessment (2.1.2.AS.1). The document marks these depth-of-knowledge levels for this indicator: Level 1 Recall; Level 2 Skills of conceptual understanding; Level 3 Strategic reasoning; Level 4 Extended critical thinking and reasoning.