Alcohol: Investigations into
Biology and Behavior
“Although alcohol is sometimes referred to as a
The second objective is to use the topic of alcohol
‘gateway drug’ for youth because its use often
as a way to understand important scientific con-
precedes the use of other illicit substances, this
cepts. The activities in this module incorporate
terminology is counterproductive; youth drinking
concepts such as concentration and solubility
requires significant attention, not because of
(miscibility), as well as build important skills in
what it leads to, but because of the extensive
observation, critical thinking, experimental
human and economic impact of alcohol use by
design, and data analysis.
this vulnerable population.”43
The third objective is to convey to students the
—Dr. Enoch Gordis, former Director
purpose of scientific research. Scientific research
of the National Institute on Alcohol
changes the way we understand the world
Abuse and Alcoholism
around us and gives us the foundation for
Despite the legal drinking age of 21, alcohol con-
improving our choices about our personal health
sumption by underage individuals is not rare. A
and the health of the public. In this module, stu-
recent survey showed that 26 percent of eighth
dents see that science provides evidence that can
graders reported consuming alcohol within the
be used to support ways of understanding and
month prior to the survey, and 16 percent reported
treating human disease. Because the mission of
binge drinking during the two weeks before the
NIAAA includes increasing the public’s under-
survey.42 The effects of adolescent drinking involve
standing about the causes, consequences, treat-
both health- and safety-related problems, includ-
ment, and prevention of alcoholism and
ing auto crashes, domestic violence, and suicide.
alcohol-related problems, the Institute believes
Alcohol abuse among teenagers may also be
that education provides one context in which it
related to behavioral problems linked to impul-
can fulfill its mission.
siveness and sensation seeking. Youth-alcohol-use
We have designed the lessons in this module to
data indicate that the earlier an individual begins
drinking, the greater is his or her risk of develop-
encourage students to think about the relation-
ing alcohol-use disorders in the future.26
ships among knowledge, choice, behavior, and
enhanced human health in this way:
What Are the Objectives of the Module?
Understanding Alcohol: Investigations into Biology
Knowledge (what is known and not known) +
and Behavior has four objectives. The first is to
Choice = Power
help students understand how alcohol consump-
tion affects the functioning of the body. By focus-
Power + Behavior = Enhanced Human Health
ing on the scientific issues that explain how the
body reacts to alcohol, the module seeks to help
The final objective is to encourage students to
students make informed decisions about the use
think in terms of these relationships now and as
of alcohol in their lives.
they grow older.
1
Understanding Alcohol: Investigations into Biology and Behavior Why Teach the Module?
• The module has a Web-based technology com-
Middle school life science classes offer an ideal set-
ponent that includes videos and interactive sim-
ting for integrating many areas of student interest.
ulations.
In this module, students participate in activities
• Finally, the module includes built-in assess-
that integrate inquiry science, environmental stud-
ment tools, which are noted in each of the les-
ies, human health, history, decision-making con-
sons with an assessment icon.
cepts, and mathematics. The real-life context of the
In addition, the module provides a means for pro-
module’s classroom lessons is engaging for stu-
fessional development. Teachers can engage in
dents, and the knowledge gained by participating
new and different teaching practices like those
in the module can be applied immediately to stu-
described in this module without completely
dents’ lives.
overhauling their entire yearlong program. In
Designing Professional Development for Teachers of
“It [the module] could be easily done by my
Science and Mathematics, 33 Susan Loucks-Horsley
special-ed students, as well as keeping the interest
et al. write that supplemental modules such as
of the gifted students.” – Field-Test Teacher
Understanding Alcohol: Investigations into Biology
and Behavior can “offer a window through which
“I thought that the lessons were very informative,
teachers can get a glimpse of what new teaching
and it is all information that everyone needs to
strategies look like in action.” By experiencing a
know about.” – Field-Test Student
short-term unit like this one, teachers can
“change how they think about teaching and
What’s in It for the Teacher?
embrace new approaches that stimulate students
Understanding Alcohol meets many of the criteria
to problem solve, reason, investigate, and con-
by which teachers and their programs are
struct their own meaning for the content.” The
assessed.
use of a supplemental unit like this module can
• The module is standards based and meets sci-
encourage reflection and discussion and stimulate
ence content, teaching, and assessment stan-
teachers to improve their practices by focusing on
dards as expressed in the National Science
student learning through inquiry.
Education Standards. It pays particular attention
to the standards that describe what students
The following table correlates topics often
should know and be able to do with respect to
included in the middle school curriculum with
scientific inquiry.
the major concepts presented in this module. This
• As described above, it is an integrated module,
information is presented to help teachers make
drawing most heavily from the subjects of sci-
decisions about incorporating this material into
ence, history, mathematics, and health.
the curriculum.
2
Correlation of Understanding Alcohol to Common Middle School Topics Topic
Lesson 1 Lesson 2
Lesson 3 Lesson 4 Lesson 5 Lesson 6
Chemical composition of matter
✔
Individual variation and susceptibility
✔
✔
✔
Human health and medicine
✔
✔
✔
Risk assessment and management
✔
✔
Scientific methods
✔
✔
✔
Relationship among science,
✔
✔
✔
✔
technology, and society
3