Mad Honey PBL by Lynn Ocorr, Dave Kleehammer and Kathy Hoppe

WHAT ARE THE TOPICS OF THIS PBL?
This is a three or four part interdisciplinary PBL (Social Studies, ELA and Science, which will involve the use of technology, modeling, reading in the content area, inquiry laboratory strategies and presentation.

  • Neurotransmission
  • Cell Transport and Receptors
  • Sodium Potassium Pump
  • Depolarization and Repolarization
  • Homeostasis
  • Greek and Roman History
  • Toxicity

MAD HONEY PART I
(Approximately 1-40 minute class period)

The class will start out in large group and read Mad Honey Part I together.
Mad Honey Story Word Format for Printing

In 400 BC Persian King Artaxerxes II defeated an army of Greek mercenaries led by his brother Cyrus. Cyrus was killed in this coup attempt and his Greek army retreated under the command of the Athenian general , Xenophon. On their way home they camped at Trabon on the Black Sea, an idyllic site.

The hills were covered with rhododendrons and the woods had many, many beehives. The hungry soldiers feasted on the beehives and honey with some very dramatic results. All the soldiers who ate the honey lost their senses, vomited, became delirious, and could not stand on their legs. Xenophon's army was defeated.

Facts and Questions
The class will complete individual facts and questions sheets then form cooperative learning groups. (directions)

 Questions Facts

PBL Group Jobs
Each student will receive a "job" in the group and students will get 10 minutes to brainstorm using poster paper or white boards.

Research
Each student will complete research about the history of Mad Honey
John the Baptist’s “Wild Honey” and “ Honey” in Antiquity by James A. Kelhoffer

 

MAD HONEY PART II
(Approximately 1-40 minute class period)

Large Group Read Aloud
The class will return to large group and read the script of Mad Honey Part II, together. Individuals add three questions to questions sheet.

Hand out:
Role Cards
Class Read Aloud
Mad Honey Part II
Optional activity
(additional 40 minute class period)
PomPom Potential
(an activity about moving ions across the cell membrane)

Research Articles
Jigsaw (directions) the follwing articles by copying each on different paper. Hand a different colored article to each PBL group member and have them read their article and take notes on the Report and Data Collection Sheet. Have individuals with the same colored article meet in a think/pair/share (directions) activity. Once they have completed this they will return to PBL groups, report out and finish their individual report and data collection sheets.
Research Article on the history of Mad Honey Research Article on Sodium potassium Pumps in Neurons
(SUNY Clinton CC)
Research Article on Grayanotoxin
(US Food and Drug Administration)		 A Case of Mad Honey Poisoning
(Turkish Journal of Medicine)

 

Mad Honey Part III
(Approximately 2-40 minute class periods)

Optional activity
(additional 40 minute class period)
Model of Neurotransmitters
There are many different models of neurons on this site
*You may choose to simply have students draw a neuron on a large sheet of construction paper, create neurotransmitter by cutting out shapes of a different color and model the movement of transmission across a synapse in pairs. .
ANIMATIONS
Have students view the animations and complete the Animation Worksheet,
* Using these animations as a class would be particularly effective if you have a smartboard. Students will be required to create a hypothesis about how grayanotoxin may effect nerve transmission and what the effect will be on the whole organism.
Anatomy of a Neuron Chemical Synapse
Extensive Explanation of Synaptic Transmission Voltage-Gated Channels and Action Potential
Action Potential Propogation in Unmyelinated Axon  
Inquiry Lab
During the inquiry lab, students will be given materials and asked to test their hypothesis about the effect of grayanotoxin on homeostasis by using daphnia. Students are given a list of materials but must create their own experiment.

Experimental Design Matrix
(Biology Chemistry Mentor Network)

The experimental design matrix may used prior to completing the actual lab and report. It may be copied on a transparency and then students may present the outline of their inquiry experiment to their peers. They can then revise their experiment prior to completing the inquiry lab.

Inquiry Lab


Students complete a formal lab report and should include graphs, observations and a conclusion (according to the guidelines on the second page of the Experimental Design Matrix

 

Mad Honey Part IV
(Optional 1-3 40 minute periods)
  • Research other plant based neurotoxins
  • Design a play that has characters who behave like the various parts of the synapse
  • Make a model to show how the grayonotoxin works
  • Powerpoint or overheads to summarize the function of the neurotransmitters
  • Write PSA on the dangers of honey either using Publisher or by making a movie through Movie Maker (Windows XP)