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Title: An inquiry-based investigation of bacterial soft rot of potato

Author
item HIRSCH, ROBERT - University Of Kentucky
item MILLER, SETH - Leestown Middle School
item Halterman, Dennis

Submitted to: The American Biology Teacher
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2018
Publication Date: 10/1/2018
Citation: Hirsch, R.L., Miller, S., Halterman, D.A. 2018. An inquiry-based investigation of bacterial soft rot of potato. The American Biology Teacher. 80(8):594-599. https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2018.80.8.594.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/abt.2018.80.8.594

Interpretive Summary: In this paper, we describe a learning module that can be used to teach middle school or high school aged students about diseases. We use potato as a model host for the bacterial pathogen that causes potato soft rot. This paper provides information on the factors that influence the development of disease, and allows students to develop and test their own hypotheses. Students will be exposed to scientific discoveries that include the development of symptoms, the spread of pathogens, and the impact of host and environmental conditions on the progress of disease. Students will learn the basic scientific method as well as proper recordkeeping and data analysis.

Technical Abstract: Inquiry-based investigations of diseases are often difficult to safely undertake in middle school or high school science courses. However, utilizing potatoes as a mammalian analog, important groups of pathogens can be investigated utilizing common materials that are available at the local supermarket. This article provides information that explores the factors underlying the development of the disease bacterial soft rot of potato, and allows students the freedom to develop and test their own hypotheses regarding the development of symptoms, the spread of pathogens, and the impact of host and environmental variables on the progress of disease.