Student Activity - Jigsaw activity

Activity idea

This jigsaw activity uses cooperative learning approaches so students understand about the discovery and development of X-rays and their use in detecting breast cancer using mammography. This activity will take two lessons – one for research and one for reporting.

Instructions

Divide the class into four groups and give each group one of the following topics to research and report back on to the rest of the class.

1. Research the history of X-rays and, using role play, report on this back to the rest of the class. This group does not need to report on what X-rays are in great detail.

• Resources: See through body – People – Wilhelm Roentgen

2. Research cancer, answering the following questions. What is cancer? What are the rates of breast cancer in New Zealand? What is the difference between malignant and benign?

• Resources: http://www.nzbcf.org.nz/breastcancer/facts_in_nz.asp

3. Research mammography and report back on the main facts, including the pros and cons of mammography, the facts on the New Zealand screening programme and what other methods can be used to detect breast cancer.

• Resources: http://www.nzbcf.org.nz/breastcancer/what_do_i_need_to_do.asp

4. Research what an X-ray is and what they can and can not be used for. Report back to the class any way you choose.

• Resources: See through body – Science ideas and concepts - X ray imaging