Preterm Infant Problem

Student Sheet

Teacher Answers

Optional: "Premature Infants and the Developing World"

Estimated class Time:

Two 40-minute class periods

Question:

What is the global preterm infant problem?

Materials:

• Post-its
• Large chart paper

Lesson Level Learning Objectives:

• MS-LS1-5. 
• Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.

Phenomenon:

• Students will examine various graphs and infographics to learn about the mortality rates of preterm infants and the challenges they face after birth (i.e. staying warm).

What we Figured Out: 

• Students will learn that preterm infants have higher mortality rates in some countries than in other countries.
• Students will learn that preterm infants have a low birth weight and have more difficulty staying warm than full term infants.
• Students will learn that there is a need to keep the babies warm.

Questions we still have:

• How can we keep the babies warm?
• How do we make heat?  
• Why do they need heat?  
• What temperature do they need? 
• How long should it stay warm? 
• How do we keep it warm for that long? 
• What is preterm? 
• Why are there more deaths in some countries and not in others?
• What materials do we have? 
• What materials can we use? 
• What do the materials cost?

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