Education
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Age Range: 11-14 | 14-16
Duration: 0-29 mins
  • Biology
  • D&T

Spreading disease

Identify the link between water and the spread of disease

Water is crucial to human life, but it can also be a killer.

Drinking or cooking water contaminated with micro-organisms or chemicals is a leading cause of disease and death across the world. Poor facilities for the disposal of sewage and other waste water can quickly lead to the spread of dangerous diseases.

Activity info,  teachers’ notes and curriculum links

This team-work based activity provides a quick, engaging introduction to a teacher-led discussion focusing on the spread of disease and the importance of water treatment in preventing epidemics.

Although this activity can take only 10 minutes, allow an extra five minutes if using the related short film 'Safe drinking water'. You can stream and download this film for free by clicking on the link in the related resources section below.

The activity sheet includes teacher notes, guidance, useful web links, and links (where appropriate) to the national curriculum in each of the four devolved UK nations; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Download the activity sheets for free below!

All activity sheets and supporting resources (including film clips!) are free to download, and all the documents are fully editable, so you can tailor them to your students' and your schools' needs.

And please do share your classroom learning highlights with us @IETeducation

Videos

Safe drinking water

Related resources