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Excite Curriculum: Mystery in Texas    
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Excite Education Curriculum Module: Folic Acid

Teacher's Guide
"Babies and Birth Defects: A Mystery in Texas" is an educational module designed to teach middle school and high school students about epidemiology, neural tube birth defects, and folic acid.  First, the students learn the vocabulary for the module. Then, an actual epidemiologic case is introduced in which three babies are born with anencephaly, a severe and fatal neural tube birth defect. The students learn about the scientific method and epidemiology as they follow the steps scientists used to investigate the problem. Epidemiology incorporates math and science. Related topics include medicine, psychology, behavioral science, and nutrition. Research and information about the B-vitamin folic acid is introduced. Folic acid can prevent 50%-70% of neural tube birth defects. This case mystery was an actual event (click here to see Headlines). However, details have been modified and simplified for teaching purposes. You could bring these lessons to life using music, drama, cooking, and letter writing. 

Table of Contents

Lesson 1.  Introduction and Vocabulary (20 minutes)
Lesson 2.  Case Description (20 minutes) 
Lesson 3.  Scientific Method (15 minutes) 
Lesson 4.  Scientific Investigation (35 minutes) 
Lesson 5.  Folic Acid Epidemiology Studies (20 minutes)
Lesson 6.  Folic Acid Information (40 minutes or 2 sessions 20 minutes each)

Going Beyond--Ideas to Integrate

Other Birth Defects-Related Websites

Summary Quiz

References

Within each module are hyperlinks to documents that can be printed to create overhead transparencies for the class.  Click here to print overhead transparencies and to view the documents that will be used for the lessons.  Before implementing the module, look at Going Beyond--Ideas to Integrate for more activity suggestions.

 
  

Curriculum Objectives

  • Utilize inquiry-based learning in the classroom

  • Apply basic principles and methods of epidemiology  

  • Use vocabulary for epidemiology and neural tube defects

  • Recognize the terms and meanings of folic acid, neural tube defect, anencephaly, and spina bifida by responding correctly on post test

  • Compute and interpret relative risk of folic acid study example

  • Identify risk factors for neural tube defects

  • Explain why women who could get pregnant should take folic acid every day

  • List sources of the B-vitamin folic acid

 

Questions? E-mail us
 
 

Ask Flo

Ask Flo!Sorry, we can't give you medical advice. Please talk with your doctor for questions about yourself. For other information, please contact:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
Division of Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities:
Mail-Stop E-86
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30333
Or Email Us: NCBDDD Contact Form

 

 

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities

The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) promotes the health of babies, children, and adults, and enhances the potential for full, productive living.  Our work includes identifying the causes of birth defects and developmental disabilities, helping children to develop and reach their full potential, and promoting health and well-being among people of all ages with disabilities.