The Discovery of Penicillin Reading

This passage compares Alexander Fleming's firsthand laboratory notes on the discovery of penicillin with a secondhand account from a medical journal. Fleming's notes capture the immediate observations and potential significance of the accidental discovery, focusing on the specific details observed in the lab. The journal article provides a broader historical context, explaining the development of penicillin into a usable drug and its impact on modern medicine. This comparison allows students to analyze how firsthand and secondhand accounts differ in focus, detail, and perspective, particularly in scientific discoveries. The passage aligns with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.6 standards and enhances understanding of how scientific breakthroughs are reported and contextualized.