The Discovery of Penicillin: Breaking Barriers in the Health Care Field Trisha Botcha and Anshuni Kale Junior Division Group Performance Process Paper: 497 words
Process Paper
The globalized world we live in today is greatly benefited with medical advancements and latest technologies in the health care field. However, just a few decades ago, this was not the case at all. The medical field was revolutionized with profound founders and their impactful discoveries. These advancements paved the way for betterment and alas broke various barriers in the health care field. Since the both of us have a great interest in the medical field, we wanted to explore major breakthroughs in medicine that helped save thousands of lives. Thus, after great research, we decided to do our National History Day Project on how the discovery of penicillin broke barriers in the health care field.
We began our research in our public library, where we found that libraries are a great resource to find important supporting documents. While there, we found a variety of books that helped us understand more about the basis of penicillin, such as what it is and how it was discovered. Then, we went in depth with our research by using databases to find the specific uses of penicillin and its impact in medicine. The internet also has a wide variety of articles and websites that gave us credible information. Therefore, trying our best to stick to .org and .edu websites, we were able to attain different views of the uses of penicillin from people during different time periods. All of the sources combined were a variety of primary and secondary sources that successfully helped us achieve understanding of our topic, as well as provide us with enough information to present our topic to others.
In the past years, we both created websites or exhibits. Although these are great categories to display findings, we felt that nothing portrayed the emotions and facts of our topic better than a performance would. When we first started the project back in September, we had planned out exactly what our individual roles would be and how we will contribute our time into making this project a success. As we are close by neighbors, it wasn’t an issue at all too often meet up and discuss our findings and to execute this project piece by piece. After 3 months, our project finally came together, and the rest is history.
This year’s theme of Breaking Barriers in History relates to our topic, because penicillin is an antibiotic that revolutionized medicine and what it is today. Before World War II, soldiers, who sacrificed their lives for us, had no way to recover from deadly infections, from wounds, that lead to fatality. However, after Fleming’s discovery of Penicillin, it gave cures to illnesses that previously no one had even dreamt would be solved. Penicillin not only broke the barrier in history back then but continues to be an inspiration for many scientists in today’s society. It has truly revolutionized treatment by allowing our future generations to continue to better it, to fit the needs of the evolving population.
Annotated Bibliography
Primary Source:
“Alexander Fleming Biography.” Alexander Fleming Biography, 2012, www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=48BmoGmWAiU. Accessed 15 November 2019. This primary source video shows multiple
pictures from the time of Alexander Fleming’s discovery of Penicillin. The video amazingly
summarizes the entire discovery and effects of Penicillin while consequently showing great
pictures that relate to the narrator’s words. This video enables one to visualize what it was like
during the time penicillin was discovered and lets them see the instruments Fleming used as well
as his work environment that led to his accidental discovery. This site, overall, provided a great
source of reference.
British scientist visits Truman. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress,
www.loc.gov/item/2002715414/. Accessed 23 October 2019. This primary source image proved
that Alexander Fleming got recognition for his discovery. In this image Fleming and President
Truman are sitting side by side, showcasing that Fleming’s discovery must have made a lasting
impact, if he is being recognized by the president.
CONNIFF, RICHARD. "Penicillin Wonder Drug of Wwii." Military History, vol. 30. Accessed 5
November 2019. This primary source gave us information of the use of penicillin during WWII.
Penicillin was very important to the soldiers fighting in the war because the antibiotic helped cure
bacterial infections which most soldiers would get at the time. This source enabled us to see how
great of an effect penicillin was having on the world and aided us in our script writing.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 16 May 1943. Chronicling America: Historic American
Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1943-05-
16/ed-1/seq-113/. Accessed 18 October 2019. This Primary source gave us insights of how beneficial penicillin was. The Newpaper briefly talked about incidents in where penicillin helped
so many people back in the nineteen hundred. This helped us get a better understanding on what
penicillin meant to people when it was first discovered. This information was crucial to our play.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 05 May 1944. Chronicling America: Historic American
Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn8304 5462/1944-05-
05/ed-1/seq-4/. Accessed 2 December 2019. This primary source newspaper article shows two
sections concerning news about penicillin. One shows the wonderful news that penicillin will soon
be supplied to more hospitals to meet most of the needs of many civilians. The subheadings also
show how supplies will be plentiful in each hospital with instructions drawn up by Dr. Keefer to
accompany each shipment. The second section brings upon a more saddening news by stating that
scientists have concluded that giving too little of a dose of penicillin can cause a germ to form that
will be immune to the actual effects of the penicillin drug. This has helped us to see that penicillin
had both positive and negative effects throughout its journey.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 04 June 1944. Chronicling America: Historic American
Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn8304 5462/1944-06-
04/ed-1/seq-72/. Accessed 3 February 2020. This primary source elaborates on the production rate
of penicillin, and how it is growing. This source also provided us with information on the change's
penicillin has been through. It talks about how the process of making penicillin has be altered
throughout the years. This helped us have a better understanding on how penicillin, its’s
production, and creation process changed over time.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 09 July 1944. Chronicling America: Historic American
Newspapers Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1944-07-
09/ed-1/seq-84/. Accessed 15 December 2019. This Primary source gave us insights on the views of people who have benefited from penicillin. The newspaper gave us quotes from different types
of people that benefited from penicillin, most of them being from the army. The quotes expanded
our knowledge on how penicillin was helpful to many people and had many references about how
penicillin was another brilliant medical triumph.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 23 July 1944. Chronicling America: Historic American
Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1944-07-
23/ed-1/seq-60/. Accessed 17 January 2020. This primary source helped us gain more information
on the availability of penicillin. The newspaper elaborated on how factories was able to produce
more penicillin at a faster rate. Since the production rate became faster, more hospitals at the time
were able to receive more penicillin to treat patients. This spread the medicine, and its name around
the country, soon to be around the globe. Bacterial infections would be the cause of a casualties
that soon would result in numbers going down because of penicillin. This source was useful in
knowing how penicillin became known worldwide.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 26 July 1945. Chronicling America: Historic American
Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn8304 5462/1945-07-
26/ed-1/seq-4/. Accessed 4 January 2020. This primary source newspaper article has a section that
explains how Fleming was awarded a plaque form the variety club for his achievement in the health
care field, going on to explain some of Alexander Fleming’s words about his discovery. The article
also had a picture of Fleming captioned with how he received his plaque and check for $1000
among many other influential/important people. This source enabled us to understand just how
great of a discovery Fleming made, not only because of his award, but also because of his words
later in the section, that show how far Fleming has gone from his first prescription to his friend
with meningitis. Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.), 14 Oct. 1945. Chronicling America: Historic American
Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn8304 5462/1945-10-
14/ed-1/seq-77/. Accessed 11 October 2019. This primary source elaborates on how penicillin took
a toll on wars and a bit about what it is. From this newspaper we have learned about how penicillin
has been used to prevent deaths in wars. In addition, we have learned viruses that penicillin can
help cure. This source helped us in the process of making our script as well, most specifically in
our war scenes that show penicillin’s positive impact.
Getty Images. "15th February 1944: Bacteriologist Sir Alexander Fleming 1881-1955)
explains the theory of the production of penicillin from the bottle of mould he is holding, to three
Turkish doctors, Professor, Dr Aksell and Dr. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)" -- Image
Date:2/15/1944.15Feb.1944.EBSCOhost,web.a.ebscohost.com//detaildetailvid=18&sid=1387035
446854fb0918d320e797c6005%40sdcsessmgr01&bdata=Jn NpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3
d#AN=imh212484&authdb=imh&db= Accessed 1 December 2019. This primary source
photograph shows Fleming talking to a group of men (Turkish Doctors) about his discovery. It
enables us to see that he wants to get his discovery out to the world and wants people to be able to
use his discovery to cure their illnesses. This photograph helped enhance our research and gave us
insights to how Fleming got penicillin out to the world.
Library of Congress. Thousands of penicillin starter bottles line the walls of this lab.
2019. EBSCOhost, web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=16&sid=13870354-4685-
4fb0918d320e797c6005%40sdcvsessmgr01&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#A
N=imh679331&authdb=imh&db=mih. Accessed 1 December 2019. This primary source
photograph shows penicillin lining the walls of a lab as starters. It shows how people have viewed
Flemings discovery and have agreed to do starter tests with it. This database helped us in our research by showing us that penicillin began as little tests in labs but now has evolved to cure
people’s diseases.
Montana farmer-stockman. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.), 01 Jan. 1950. Chronicling America:z
Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lcc
n/sn86075096/1950-01-01/ed-1/seq-11/. Accessed 23 November 2019. This primary source talks
about the uses and misuses of penicillin. The newspaper elaborates on the successes and fails of
the drug being used. From this source we know that there are some types of bacterial infections
that penicillin should not be used to treat because it will result in negative effects of the body.
Other times penicillin is helpful and can be used to save a life. This source has really aided us in
our research.
Montana farmer-stockman. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.), 01 July 1951. Chronicling America:
Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86075096/1951-07-01/ed-1/seq-32/. Accessed 3
December 2019. This primary source showed us another medicine that has the same components
of penicillin. The newspaper elaborates on how this medicine named Sulmet helps pink eye and
can stop the growth of bacteria. This shows how just like Sulmet, many other medicines were
created of the same components penicillin was made of. This helped us understand that some
people can be allergic o penicillin, so they must take another medicine with the same basic
components of penicillin. Which should also give the same results as penicillin.
National Archives And Records Administration. Code of Federal Regulations: Certification Of Batches
Of Penicillin Or Streptomycin - Containing Drugs, 21 C.F.R. 1949. Periodical. Retrieved from the
Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/item/cfr1949020-T21CIP146/. Accessed 18 December 2019.
This primary source article explained some of the facts and safety precautions of dealing with
Penicillin. The entirety of the article is about knowing information about penicillin when referring
to it as a drug. Throughout the article there are many paragraphs that explained more detailed
aspects of this antibacterial that became very vital in our research and understanding of this topic.
Penicillin Mold Growing in Culture Bottles. [Between 1941 and 1945] Photograph. Retrieved from the
Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/item/92519545/. Accessed 13 December 2019. This primary
source picture shows penicillin mould growing in many culture bottles. This shows that penicillin
has made a positive impact allowing for the development of more. This source has helped us realize
and see how penicillin has to be grown around 1940-1945(which was when this picture was taken,
and how that has changed today.
Sir Alexander Fleming, half portrait, seated. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress,
www.loc.gov/item/2005685189/. Accessed 2 November 2019. This primary source picture shows
a half portrait of Alexander Fleming around the year 1945. This picture enabled us to see how
Fleming usually dresses and how he looks on a usual daily basis. This has helped us visualize what
and how we would represent one of us as Fleming.
Sir Alexander Fleming, -1955. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress,
www.loc.gov/item/2002697629/. Accessed 18 November 2019. This primary source picture gave us a clear visual of a close up of Alexander Fleming. This has helped us in adding certain props
and accessories to our Fleming costume, Moreover, this picture gave us more representation on
Alexander Fleming’s appearance.
“St.Mary's Hospital Honours Sir Alexander Fleming (1954).” St.Mary's Hospital Honours Sir
AlexanderFleming(1954),St.Mary'sHospital,www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tkp8RsZkBUA.
Accessed 18 November 2019. This interview helped us gain more information on how Fleming
felt after his discovery and how he thought it would help the future. This had inspired many other
people to work off penicillin. He elaborates more on how he thinks this will benefit the world
tremendously and have such a big impact on people in any upcoming war. He was right as WWII
came penicillin was a big help.
“Sutori.”Sutori,www.sutori.com/item/1928-penicillin-discovered-by-alexander-fleming-penicillin-
was-not-an-inventi. Accessed 5 October 2019. This picture served as a helpful primary source
because we got to see one of the ways penicillin was presented back in the days. It gave us insights
on how people viewed penicillin back in the days. This was helpful to us while we were making
our script and it gave us more background knowledge on the presence of penicillin.
“The Discovery of Penicillin.” TheScientist, www.the-scientist.com/foundations/the-discovery-of-
penicillin-circa-1928-43116. Accessed 13 November 2019. This picture was nice to reference to
because it showed a bunch of doctors working together to save someone because of the help of
penicillin the man was able to survive. The text also says that scientists thought that penicillin was
a dream because it was incredible. This gave us an insight on the different views people brought
upon penicillin back in the old times of WWI and WWII. The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.), 14 April 1944. Chronicling America: Historic American
Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn89060136/1944-04-
14/ed-1/seq-7/. Accessed 11 May 2020. This primary source notes Alexander Flemmings
discovery. The newspaper explains his dedication and achievements. This helped us learn more of
the history of penicillin as knowing who discovered it. It also helped us understand that penicillin
wasn’t the greatest or final discovery in medicine, which we noted when we were learning about
the other things the discovery of penicillin has led to.
“TheNobelPrizeinPhysiologyorMedicine1945.”NobelPrize.org,www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/
945/summary/. Accessed 27 October 2019. This source provided a primary source in the way that
is showed us who won the noble prize with Alexander Fleming. It allowed us to see how each
person looked and greatly aided us while adding information about Fleming in our script.
“The Real Story behind Penicillin.” PBS, www.pbs.org/newshour/health/the-real-story-behind-
the-worlds-first-antibiotic.Accessed 7 October 2019. This picture was a great primary source to
make references to. It showed us an insight on how penicillin was sorted into different racks
when they were playing around to try and find new antibiotics. This not only helped us gain more
information on it, but it helped us find right props to use in our play.
The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.), 16 July 1944. Chronicling American
Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccnn/sn780 02169/1944-07-
16/ed-1/seq-8/. Accessed 8 February 2020. This primary source newspaper article includes a
section that states “Penicillin Now Available to Thousands Each Month”, showing that production
rates have increased beneficially. The section also states penicillin production will reach 200,000,000,000 billion units by the end of the year, knowing that the article is published in 1944.
This source helped us see a great milestone for Penicillin.
R&D through the Ages – Sir Alexander Fleming. 30 Aug. 2018. TBAT, Chris
Stuttle, www.tbat.co.uk/2018/08/30/rd-tta-1/. Accessed 2 November 2019. This photograph shows
that Fleming is examining the bacteria on the petri dish he accidentally left near an open window.
This gave us a deeper understanding of how Fleming researched and functioned in his lab. This
would also give us a better understanding of the kind of environment Fleming would work in.
“WKY-TV Sir Alexander Fleming Interview from 1954.” WKY-TV Sir Alexander Fleming Interview
from 1954, www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoRXqyItDFE. Accessed 25 October 2019. This
interview helped us understand what the purpose of penicillin was. What it could do and how it
would help doctors and patients with bacterial infections/problems. Fleming also elaborated more
on how he discovered the leading cause that; led to the great discovery of penicillin, as it came
from an accidental discover. This information was crucial when we were making the script.
“WWII Health Risks.” WWII Health Risks | We Honor Veterans, www.wehonorveterans.org/veterans-
their-needs/needs-war-or-trauma/wwii/wwii-health-risks. Accessed 1 December 2019. This
primary source website provides great visuals that aided us in our research and writing of our
script. It enabled us to see just how greatly people, especially soldiers, were impacted by the
discovery of penicillin, by displaying great visuals. These visuals show someone the penicillin has
been able to save people’s lives and continues to do so to this day.
"1954: Sir Alexander Fleming (1881 - 1955), British bacteriologist and Nobel laureate, best known for
his discovery of penicillin. (Photo by ChrisWare/Keystone Features/Getty Images)"ImageDate: 1/1/1954.1Jan.1954.EBSCOhost,web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detailvid=5&sid=f3bc01d530
0f400599b70d8e9b631242%40sessionmgr4008&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d
#AN=imh229700&authdb=imh&db=mih. Accessed 1 December 2019. This primary source
photograph shows Alexander Fleming on New Year’s Day in 1954. It enables us to see, through
the caption, that Fleming has become very successful with his discovery of penicillin. His
discovery changed many people’s lives in history and this source shows his pride in it.
Secondary Sources:
“Alexander Fleming Biography.” Alexander Fleming Biography, 2012,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=48BmoGmWAiU. Accessed 9 December 2019. This video shows
multiple pictures from the time of Alexander Fleming’s discovery of Penicillin. The video
amazingly summarizes the entire discovery and effects of Penicillin while consequently showing
great pictures that relate to the narrator’s words. research escalated the findings of other scientific
discoveries in universities and the reproduction of or her antibiotics/medicines. gave superb
statistics that gave extra proof and help to our lookup and our project.
“Alexander Fleming Discovery and Development of Penicillin - Landmark.” American Chemical
Society,www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/flemingpenicillin.htm
l. Accessed 8 January 2020. This secondary source informed readers how penicillin research
escalated the findings of other scientific discoveries in universities and the reproduction of or her
antibiotics/medicines. This source also states the benefits of the antibiotic's role during WWII, and
how the United States took from the use of penicillin. In addition, this source also clarifies how
the use of penicillin in the United States has spread to the use of this antibiotic to other countries.
“Alexander Fleming: Exploration and Encounter of Penicillin.” Alexander Fleming: Exploration and
Encounter of Penicillin, 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsSwp0EeJCg. Accessed 27 December 2019. This source helped us gain more information on how Fleming felt after his
discovery and how he thought it would help the future. This had inspired many other people to
work off penicillin. He elaborates more on how he thinks this will benefit the world tremendously
and have such a big impact on people in any upcoming war. He was right as WWII came penicillin
was a big help.
Alexander Fleming. 5 Dec. 2017. Science History Institute,www.sciencehistory.org/historical-
profile/alexander-fleming. Accessed 15 December 2019. This secondary source provides an
abundance of information gives a back history and a detailed explanation of how penicillin was
accidently discovered. This website gave great facts that gave additional evidence and support to
our research and our project. This source was very reliable proving or answering any further
questions we had and even had primary sources embedded into it. This source even included
primary source visuals of what Fleming was experimenting with when he made his accidental
discovery of penicillin. This helped us get a better understanding of the environment and facility
Fleming was working in as well. This also showed us a bit of how he used to work in his
surroundings back then.
Arnaud, Celia Henry. “Penicillin.” CEN RSS, cen.acs.org/articles/83/i25/Penicillin.html. Accessed 19
November 2019. This source gave us many insights. Firsthand, how penicillin was able to help
soldiers, and another with a painting of Fleming and his petri dish. This gave a more in depth
understanding of what Fleming had found through his accidental discovery and how it led to him
finding penicillin. It elaborated more on how he discovered the leading cause that led to the great
discovery of penicillin, as it came from an accidental discover. This source, although secondary,
also provided great primary source pictures. One that shows, firsthand, how penicillin was able to
help soldiers, and another with a painting of Fleming and his petri dish. These pictures really enable us to see the impact penicillin had on the world. It shows the progression form the discovery
to its use. All in all, this source was very helpful as a primary and secondary source.
Bankston, John. Alexander Fleming and the Story of Penicillin. Salvatore Tocci,2002. Accessed 25
October 2019. This secondary source is filled with primary sources that have great information
that summarizes how Fleming came to discover penicillin. Moreover, the books numerous
amounts of photograph show us different parts of Alexander Fleming's life. Like others, this book
also had a timeline where we can chronologically see how Fleming's life went which greatly
impacted our project. Furthermore, this book also gives us the affect that penicillin had on the
world wars. Overall, this book was a great asset to our research.
“Biography.” Alexander Fleming Biography, 2017, www.biography.com/scientist/alexander-fleming.
Accessed 14 November 2019. It enabled us to see just how impactful the effect of penicillin was
having on people, by enabling us to see live footage of penicillin in a microscope. It also gave us
the chemical composition along with how they make penicillin which was beneficial to our
research as well as it gave us many views of how soldiers and political influencers were impacted
by the discovery of penicillin. This video gave us great aid when making our script. Through some
primary sources, this video greatly allowed us to visualize the world before and after penicillin,
through its visuals.
Birch, Beverley. Giants of Science Alexander Fleming Pioneer with Antibiotics. Blackbirch press, 2002.
Accessed 27 October 2019. This secondary source provides an abundance of information that
allows readers to not only understand the different aspects of Fleming's life, but the journey that
he took to discover penicillin. This resource has numerous quotes that are said by Fleming and
others that provide us with how Fleming actually felt and his experiences during the journey of his amazing discovery. This book helped pave a pathway of our findings and boosted our research by
giving us great facts and visuals/photographs.
Birk, Harvin. “Pencillin.” Venngage, infograph.venngage.com/p/223461/penicillin. Accessed 8
November 2019. This infographic gave us an understanding on the discovery of penicillin, as it
elaborated on how Fleming discovered it. It also gave us the chemical composition along with how
they make penicillin which was beneficial to our research. It also showed us side effects of
penicillin which was helpful information to us when we were making the script.
Bud, Robert. Penicillin Triumph and Tragedy. Oxford University Press, 2008. Accessed 4 February
2020. This secondary source helped us gain information on the kind of environment Fleming was
working in. While also including a primary source picture that showed us what kind of materials
he used, and what kind of outfits he would wear, this source helped us make our performance even
better.
CONNIFF, RICHARD. "Penicillin Wonder Drug of Wwii." Military History, vol. 30, no. 2, July
2013,p.38.EBSCOhost,search.ebscohost.com/login.aspxdirect=true&db=f6h&AN=87279502&sit
e=ehost-live. Accessed 10 December 2019. This secondary source helped us to see how penicillin
came into effect during WWII. It gave us many views of how soldiers and political influencers
were impacted by the discovery of penicillin. This source gave us a general idea of how the use of
penicillin changed the lives of many during WWII.
Cooper Group Community Background, cooper.imb.uq.edu.au/community_background.html. Accessed
4 November 2019. This secondary source included great primary source pictures that enabled us
to see the effect of penicillin. This website included pictures of posters that show that penicillin
truly is curing people and their illnesses. This source really enabled us to see how people were able to see the change in the healthcare field through the great use of words and visuals. This source
enabled us to gain a bigger understanding on penicillin’s effects.
“Diseases in World War I.” Diseases in World War I - World War I Centennial, www.worldwar1cente
nnial.org/index.php/diseases-in-world-war-1.html. Accessed 3 November 2019. This source,
although secondary, included great primary source pictures. These pictures gave us great aid while
writing the nurse infirmary during WWI scene. The source included great information that enabled
us to see how soldiers died with a lack of hygiene and medication, and even supported great graphs
that analyzed different types of information. Overall, these primary source pictures and the overall
text enabled us to visualize the struggle of soldiers before the discovery of penicillin.
Endocrine Today, August 2008. “Penicillin: An Accidental Discovery Changed the Course of
Medicine.”Healio,www.healio.com/endocrinology/news/print/endocrinetoday/%7B15afd2a1-
2084-4ca6-a4e6-7185f5c4cfb0%7D/penicillin-an-accidental-discovery-changed-the-course-of-
medicine. Accessed 5 November 2019. This secondary source states how the discovery of
penicillin was an accident, but this led to be the cause of breaking one of the biggest barriers in the
medical field. This gave a more in depth understanding of what Fleming had found through his
accidental discovery and how it led to him finding penicillin. This source also provides the
common uses for penicillin and a brief description on the frequent use of the antibiotic.
Fleming, Alexander: discovery of penicillin. Video. Britannica School, Encyclopædia Britannica, 8 Feb.
2020. school.eb.com/levels/middle/assembly/view/215293. Accessed 13 Apr. 2020. This
secondary source provided a great summary of Fleming’s discover that aided us in writing facts
throughout many different scenes in our performance. This database provided great evidence of
the effect of penicillin and the journey that led up to its discovery. Although it was included in a
secondary source, the primary source pictures and video footage provided great visuals and aid to visualize what the narrator was speaking about. These pictures included those form the discover
of Penicillin, Alexander Fleming, as well as war sites from the actual time.
“Funeral Of Sir Alexander Fleming (1955).” Funeral Of Sir Alexander Fleming (1955),
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHXDT36BKYQ. Accessed 14 October 2019. This video
concluded the achievements of Alexander Fleming. This gave us a bit more knowledge of what
kind of a person he was and what kind of things he accomplished in his lifetime. This elaborated
on important things he said that inspired many others to help change the world. This information
was beneficial to our research and our script.
Gaynes, Robert. “The Discovery of Penicillin—New Insights After More Than 75 Years of Clinical
Use.” Emerging Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 2017,
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5403050/. Accessed 30 February 2020. This secondary
source provides great information and by far was one of the best sources that helped us in our
research. This website provided great background information and detailed explanations to how
penicillin was discovered. Moreover, this source also shows how penicillin helped in the war effort
for WWII and how each country used penicillin to help their solders.
Gottfred, Ted. Alexander Fleming Discover iy of Penicillin. A division Grolier 1997. Accessed 13 May
2020. This secondary resource gave an insight of Alexander Fleming's life in detail which gave us
a great lead in our research. In addition, this book had numerous amounts of pictures and quotes
that allow one to understand the principles of Fleming's life. Moreover, this resource gave us
detailed information on how Alexander Fleming came to discover penicillin and enabled us to
understand his journey to the discovery.
Hantula, Richard. Alexander Fleming. World Almanac, 2003. Accessed 6 November 2019. This
secondary source provides not only great information but wonderful pictures, and actual letters and comics that were printed at that time as well. This resource is structured in a way that allows
us to navigate through it freely and find valuable information about Alexander Fleming. This book
gave us a great start on our research and in addition gave us a lot more than just one source.
Furthermore, this book was a great source that positively impacted our research.
“MoldSpores.” Air Sampling Mold Tests and Spore-Trap Sampling,
www.blackmoldmildewremoval.com/mold-testing/air-sampling-mold-tests/. Accessed 5
November 2019. This picture helped us get a visual of what mold spores looked like. By using this
it was easier to envision how the discovery of penicillin took place. We were able to use more
description in our performance as we narrated what the mould spores and staphylococcus looked
like and how Fleming use this to discover penicillin.
Newman, Tim. “Penicillin: Function, History, and Resistance.” Medical News Today,
MediLexiconInternational,www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/216798.php#history. Accessed 7
October 2019. This secondary source describes the role/function of penicillin and how doctors
treat patients with it. This source also states the risk of the use of penicillin, and how if used
incorrectly could have harmful side effects. In addition, this source also provided information on
the different cases doctors used penicillin to help patients.
“Office of Medical History.” Office of Medical History,
history.amedd.army.mil/booksdocs/wwii/actvssurgconvol2/default.htm. Accessed 4 May 2020.
This picture helped us get a visual of what an infirmary during WWI looked like. This gave us an
idea of what we wanted to do with our script. We saw how the infirmary was set up and based of
this picture we got our props and set up our background accordingly. This helped us make our
script more realistic. We were also now aware of what kind of props to use and incorporate into
our scenes. "Penicillin." Britannica School, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Sep. 2013.
school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/penicillin/600650. Accessed 13 Apr. 2020. This secondary
source provided a great overview of what penicillin is, its effects, how it helps people, and even
how it is produced. This source allowed us to confirm our information about penicillin and add
more details to our performance. This databse provided a reliable source to base our information
about.
Quinn, Roswell. “Rethinking Antibiotic Research and Development: World War II and the Penicillin
Collaborative.” American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, Mar.
2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3673487/. Accessed 23 February 2020. This
secondary source provided a very detailed explanation of the effect of penicillin on the world.
More specifically this source showed the many positive effects of penicillin during WWII. It gave
a big overview of many facts about penicillin which really helped us during the writing process of
our script. The primary sources, included within this secondary source, provided a great visual of
how big of an impact penicillin had during WWII. This source includes pictures and posters from
the actual time that better enabled us to see how penicillin's impact really helped others. These
pictures gave us great aid while writing our script and allowed us to have a resource to base our
information off of when we were in doubt. Overall, this was a really great and reliable source that
really showed the impact of penicillin not only during war such as WWII, but on the general public
as well.
“The Discovery of Penicillin, circa 1928.” The Scientist Magazine®, www.the-
scientist.com/foundations/the-discovery-of-penicillin-circa-1928-43116. Accessed 15 November
2019. This website was a great secondary source as it gave plenty of information of the thoughts
and view that doctors and scientists had on penicillin. This was good because we could incorporate it into our play. It also gave additional facts on how people were cured because of penicillin which
was nice to know while we were making our script.
The education department. “Thanks to Penicllin... He Will Come Home .” The National WWII
Museum,www.nationalww2museum.org/sites/default/files/2017-07/thanks-to-penicillin-
lesson.pdf. Accessed 14 January 2020. This picture is a poster that was made in WWII. It has a
caption of “Thanks to penicillin... He will come home”, this is referring to all the soldiers who had
bacterial infections during the war. In WWI these soldiers didn’t have a cure but now they had
penicillin which would save their lives. Which meant they wouldn’t die of deadly bacterial
infections.
Tocci, Salvatore. Alexander Fleming the Man Who Discovered Penicillin. Mitchell
Lane publishers, 2002. Mitchell Lane publishers, 2002. Accessed 17 November 2019. This
secondary source provides great facts about the discovery of penicillin and Alexander Fleming.
Likewise, this book also contains many primary sources which consist of newspaper articles form
the time as well as posters made about penicillin at the time as well. In addition, there is a timeline
in the back of the book that gives us detailed events of Fleming's life and additional resources that
helped us advance on our research.
“7 Ways Penicillin Has Cured the World for 90 Years – 2018.” ReAct, 28 Sept. 2018,
https://www.reactgroup.org/news-and-views/news-and-opinions/year-2018/7-ways-penicillin-
has-cured-the-world-for-90-years/. Accessed 4 November 2019. This secondary source shows the
multiple ways that penicillin has been changing the world since its discovery. Its multiple uses
have proven time and time again that it truly is an amazing discovery. This website really helped
us to see how penicillin has changed so many people’s lives and gave us a great lead to our “so
what” in our research.
PENICILLIN: BREAKING BARRIERS IN THE HEALTHCARE FIELD
By: Trisha Botcha and Anshuni Kale
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION Project Title Penicillin: Breaking Barriers in the Health Care Field Student Name(s) Trisha Botcha and Anshuni Kale Division Junior Group Performance Performance 9:56 Runtime The accidental discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming, during 1928, broke the barrier in the health care field, as it gave cures to illnesses that previously no one had even dreamt would be solved. Penicillin not only broke the barrier Thesis in history back then, but continues to be an inspiration for many scientists in today’s society. It has truly revolutionized treatment by allowing our future generations to continue to better it, to fit the needs of the evolving population.
PERFORMANCE OVERALL SCENARIO Story Setting(s) Timeframe This performance includes many settings crucial to the point given to viewers at the certain moment. The play begins in a Library during the year 2010, where two school girls come to find information for their penicillin topic that they are doing their research project on. Once found, the settings change multiple times, each reflecting a crucial moment in the history of Penicillin and its impact. The second setting is a WWI Infirmary that situates a wounded soldier that dies on the nurse taking care of him because of a lack of sanitation and medication. This scene is followed by Fleming’s Discovery, narrated by the soldier, where Fleming is in his laboratory and accidentally 9:52 stumbles upon this antibacterial. The soldier's son and the Nurse then return to a WWII Infirmary where the soldier is successfully treated with Penicillin. Later on, viewers come across a Laboratory in 1980, where they can see that scientists have found sister strains to Penicillin such as amoxicillin. Soon after viewers go back to the Library in 2010 only to be followed to a Doctors Office by Andrea who gets tested positive for strep throat and gets Amoxicillin to help her. The performance is finally ended in a Modern Laboratory that shows the main characters grown and finding another sister strain to penicillin. Story Synopsis This performance shows the world before and after the discovery of Penicillin. It takes two school girls, Andrea and Alexis, on a journey through time to see soldiers dying during WWI because of the lack of proper medication. Tragedies, like those in WWI, were soon to be properly treated in WWII because of the newly discovered antibiotic, Penicillin, by Alexander Fleming. Later on, the girls witness the impact Penicillin made 50 years after its discovery and see how other scientists have found sister strains to Penicillin. The performance switches back to the girls in the library, taking viewers to the doctor's office with Andera, who is informed that she has strep throat. Fortunately, she gets prescribed Amoxicillin, a sister strain to Penicillin, to help her get better. The performance then takes viewers to a modern laboratory in 2019, showing the girls all grown up and finding another sister strain to penicillin. Here they thank Fleming for his wonderful discovery that revolutionized the Health Care field and realize that their project on his discovery is what got them into this work field. Similarly to how the characters narrate throughout the play, the real actors, Anshuni and Trisha, come out from backstage, at the end, and highlight the main points of how Penicillin broke the barrier in the healthcare field.
CHARACTERS
Character Performer Description/background for the character
Andrea Trisha A 16 year old girl, with black hair and brown eyes of indian origin, who is smart and compassionate, and looks out for others. In this play Andrea develops a cough that gets treated with a sister strain to penicillin.
Alexis Anshuni A 16 year old girl, with black hair and brown eyes of indian origin, who is intelligent yet forgetful, and loves to learn new things and explore. In this play Alexis is the daughter of Dr. Ray.
Nurse Trisha A kind and loving woman who aids the need of soldiers in both WWI and WWII. The nurse is portrayed both young and old in this play, depending on the scene she plays, and has beautiful features along with her british accent. The nurse aids both the father and son soldiers, which goes unknown by her, and unfortunately, she is not able to save the father. In this play the nurse is alive to witness the amazing effects penicillin has on the world. The Nurse narrates facts about the number of soldiers dying in each world war in the middle of each of her scenes with the soldiers.
Soldier (During Anshuni A strong and brave man who enters his scene with a bad wound WWI) that doesn't take much effort to kill him in front of the nurse’s eyes. The soldier is muscular yet weak and has a british accent. In this play the soldier in WWI is actually the father of the soldier in WWII, having mentioned his son in his last few words. The soldier also narrates towards the beginning and ending of his scenes.
Alexander Trisha A man of Scotish origin who is responsible for the discovery of Fleming Penicillin. Fleming is a very energetic and intelligent man with white hair and a Scotiish accent. In this play, Fleming goes on a trip, only to come back and find some bacteria that ends up revolutionizing the entire world.
Soldier (During Anshuni A determined and hopeful young man who enters the scene WWII) similarly to the soldier in WWI, but this time he is able to live with successful treatment from the same nurse who aided the soldier in WWI. The soldier is handsome and strong, looking very similar to his father, with a british accent. In this play, this soldier is actually the son of the soldier in WWI, and joined the army because of his father’s death. This soldier also narrates towards the beginning and ending of his scenes.
Mary Trisha A young researcher who finds the effects of penicillin quite interesting, eager to learn more from her co-worker the doctor. Mary is a beautiful and intelligent lady who is always ready to learn more about science. In this play, Mary helps portray many important facts to the viewers through her conversation with the doctor.
Doctor (In 1980) Anshuni A Respected and educated woman who is co-workers with Mary. The Doctor has beautiful features that add on to her intelligence. In this play, the doctor does the main job of getting the facts about penicillin and its impact out to the viewers.
Dr. Ray Anshuni Dr. Ray is a very smart lady who is the mother of Alexis. In this play, Dr. Ray treats Andrea and finds that she has strep throat, and decides that prescribing her Amoxicillin will best help her .
Trisha Trisha A 14 year old girl, with black hair and brown eyes, of indian origin, who narrates many parts throughout the play. Trisha narrates in scene 1, explaining how soldiers had a barrier in survival, and in the end of the play, highlighting the main impacts of penicillin.
Anshuni Anshuni A 14 year old girl, with black hair and brown eyes, of indian origin, who narrates many parts throughout the play. She narrates as Anshuni at the end of the play.
STAGE SETTING - COSTUMES AND PROPS BY SCENE
OVERALL STAGE SETTING Description of Stage(s) in Performance: Color Scheme: Black and White *Photo inserted near end of document* The stage includes a complete black backdrop with Background The Stage has a backdrop of white letters for the title of our boards. Towards Design black posters (main backdrop stage right, there is a podium where the actors and Facts wall), tables, and a narrate certain scenes and aspects relating to what podium. The titles for the main is going on in the performance. Center Stage backdrop and the facts wall are includes the main backdrop, which is just a black in bold white letters. canvas with white letters that spell out the title of the Props Our props range from a variety performance, Penicillin: Breaking Barriers in the of shapes, colors, and sizes, to Health Care Field. Towards stage left there is the fit the needs of each individual props table and facts board. The props table scene. We have lab equipment, includes a box where actors change the sign for a microscope, a fake gun, each scene that they are currently in to the next, to nurse equipment, lab coats, help viewers keep up with and understand what is goggles, gloves, wigs, soldier happening. The facts board includes pictures and gear, etc. Exact props and use infographics that showcase different types of of each will be mentioned information for each scene with white letters for a below by scene. title.
COSTUMES & PROPS BY SCENE Scene 1: Library 2010 Costume(s) Visual(s) or Costume(s) Description(s): Set Design & Props Andera and Alexis Background Sign on the props table is The costumes for Andrea and Alexis are school Design marked as “Library 2010” The outfits, different for both girls. Andrea wears a white Backdrop is all in its original blouse tucked into a simple black skirt with some place from set up. Same Black lace on the top of it, and a watch on her hand. Alexis backdrops with white letters. wears army green pants with a camo shirt and a gray Props The props in this scene consist jacket. Andrea’s footwear are a pair of plain black of only books, carried in by converse with knee high white socks, while Alexis Alexis, in her hand, and taken wears combat boots. out by Alexis as she exits off stage.
COSTUMES & PROPS BY SCENE Scene 2: WWI Infirmary Costume(s) Visual(s) or Costume(s) Description(s): Set Design & Props Nurse and Soldier The costumes in this scene really help bring out the Background Sign on the props table is character of the nurse and the soldier. The nurse Design marked as “WWI Infirmary” The wears a nurse apron over her skirt and socks, while Backdrop is all in its original also wearing a nurse hat. The soldier wears army place from set up. Same Black green pants, a camo shirt, an army hat, along with backdrops with white letters. an army vest, and a red cloth around his ankle to Props The nurse uses a medical kit symbolize a wound. For footwear, the nurse wears a for her props. The medical kit pair of black converse over her socks and the soldier includes a light, bandages, wears combat boots. reflex hammer/knife, etc. The soldier uses a fake gun, spray painted black, that the nurse sets aside when she goes to assist him.
COSTUMES & PROPS BY SCENE Scene 3: Fleming’s Discovery Costume(s) Visual(s) or Costume(s) Description(s): Set Design & Props Soldier and Alexander Fleming
Sign on the props table is Background marked as “Fleming’s Design Discovery” The Backdrop is all in its original place from set up. Same Black backdrops with The soldier wears the same costume as before, white letters. army green pants, camo shirt with an army hat and Props Only Fleming uses props, as vest, a red ankle cloth, and combat boots. Fleming the soldier places his gun down wears a white wig with goggles and gloves, to when he begins to narrate. properly portray him in a laboratory. Fleming also Fleming has a whole laboratory wears a lab coat over his socks and shoes. tray, which consists of beakers, a petri dish, a microscope, tweezers, test tubes, small boxes, etc. Fleming uses these lab props to show how he discovered Penicillin.
COSTUMES & PROPS BY SCENE Scene 4: WWII Infirmary Costume(s) Visual(s) or Costume(s) Description(s): Set Design & Props Soldier and Nurse Background Sign on the props table is Design marked as “WWII Infirmary” The Backdrop is all in its Same as scene 2 original place from set up. Same Black backdrops with white letters. Props Same as scene 2
COSTUMES & PROPS BY SCENE Scene 5: Laboratory 1980 Costume(s) Visual(s) or Costume(s) Description(s): Set Design & Props Mary and the Doctor Background Sign on the props table is Design marked as “Laboratory 1980” The Backdrop is all in its original place from set up. Same Black backdrops with white letters. Mary and the doctor wear similar costumes. Mary wears a gray lab coat that symbolizes that she is a Props Both Mary and the Doctor use researcher, while the doctor wears a white lab coat props in this scene. Mary uses to symbolize her role as a doctor. Both girls wear the a medicine rack with many lab coat over regular clothes, same as what is worn different sections on it, one of by Andrea and Alexis in the first scene, and wear the which contains small test tubes same footwear as in previous scenes. filled with water, to portray medicine, and tweezers to hold the test tubes. Mary also holds a notepad with a pencil in her hand, which she uses to take notes as the Doctor gives her information.
COSTUMES & PROPS BY SCENE Scene 6: Library 2010 Costume(s) Visual(s) or Costume(s) Description(s): Set Design & Props Andera and Alexis Background Sign on the props table is Design marked as “Library 2010” The Backdrop is all in its original place from set up. Same Black Same as scene 1 backdrops with white letters. (Same as scene 1) Props There are no props for this scene
COSTUMES & PROPS BY SCENE Scene 7: Doctor’s Office Costume(s) Visual(s) or Costume(s) Description(s): Andera and Dr. Ray (Alexis is backstage waiting for Set Design & Props Andera) Background Sign on the props table is Andrea wears the same outfit from Scene 1 and Design marked as “Doctor’s Office”. Scene 6, a white blouse tucked into a simple black The Backdrop is all in its skirt with some lace on the top of it, and a watch on original place from set up. her hand, with a pair of black converse over knee high socks. Dr. Ray wears a white lab coat, over her Same Black backdrops with regular clothes, with a stethoscope around her neck, white letters. and similar footware to Alexis, combat boots. Props The only prop Andrea uses is a chair that she pulls out form stage right. Dr. Ray, on the other hand, uses a notepad with a pencil, a strep throat test (popsicle), and a light.
COSTUMES & PROPS BY SCENE Scene 8: Modern Laboratory 2019 Costume(s) Visual(s) or Costume(s) Description(s): Set Design & Props Andrea and Alexis Background Sign on the props table is Design marked as “Modern Laboratory 2019” The Backdrop is all in its Both girls wear a labcoat over their clothes, which original place from set up. are the same as scene 1, 6, etc. Footwear is also the Same Black backdrops with same, for both girls, from the previous scene. Andrea white letters. wears a gray lab coat with gloves, while Alexis wears Props The only props that both girls a white lab coat. use is a microscope and Alexis has a notepad with a pencil in her hand when she is summoned by Andera.
PERFORMANCE SCRIPT BY SCENES
SCENE 1 - Library 2010 Purpose of the Scene Key Elements Transition into factual information on WW1. Setting Library Builds up the plot of the story. Timeframe 0:50 Characters Andrea, Alexis, and Trisha. Summary of the Scene Andrea and Alexis go to the library in need to search for information on penicillin for their project.
DIALOGUE - SCENE 1 Character & Action Dialogue Andrea Okay, we are in the library and we need to find facts about penicillin. (Andrea walks on to stage, Let’s go look at the science history section. *cough* soon followed by Alexis who is carrying a few books. They are in the library. The sign on the backdrop says, “Library 2010” and is put on by Alexis before both the girls begin the play. The girls quickly hurry onto stage with a worried look.) Alexis You go ahead, I need to return these books really quickly! (Alexis runs behind the backdrop taking the books with her.) Andrea Uggh! Fine! Hmm, Penicillin… *cough* (she speaks as she walks over to the “facts” board and starts skimming through the information present.) Trisha Alexander Fleming revolutionized the entire world with his discovery of (After skimming for a few penicillin. Before his discovery though, countless numbers of people, seconds Andrea snaps her especially soldiers, faced many barriers as they couldn’t be properly fingers and turns attended to. These hardships were mainly faced during wars such as approaching the podium.) WWI as soldiers who got wounded, had a slim chance of survival. At this time bacteria were a very prominent pathogen that caused numerous amounts of diseases and illnesses. Such bacteria could be found in one's heart or throat. Before the 1920’s, and even into the late 20’s, cures for these bacteria haven’t been discovered yet. These bacteria were the leading cause of death during wars.
Andrea Where’s Lexi? *cough* Is she still returning books? Lexi, Lexi! Oh, (snapping her fingers and there you are! *cough* shaking her head as if getting out of a trans, Andrea looks to the left and runs backstage as she changes the sign to “WWI Infirmary”.)
SCENE 2 - WWI Infirmary Purpose of the Scene Key Elements The purpose of the scene was to illustrate Setting WWI Infirmary that many soldiers fighting in wars, before penicillin was discovered, didn’t survive Timeframe 1:32 because of bacterial infections. Characters Soldier and Nurse Summary of the Scene A Soldier who has been badly wounded during a battle of WWI goes to an infirmary to get treated. The nurse tries her best to save him but unfortunately fails to do so because of a lack of sanitation and medication.
DIALOGUE - SCENE 2 Character & Action Dialogue Soldier What you are about to witness is a British soldier who has been badly (The soldier goes to the wounded during a battle of WWI and unfortunately won’t get the proper medication needed in order for him to stay alive. (1) Oh no! podium and starts narrating. After the narration gunshots and battlefield noises can be heard from backstage. The soldier turns around and vanishes backstage.) 1- After audio is present. Soldier Nurse! Quick, I need a nurse! Ahh, my leg! (The soldier comes back out from backstage and limps towards center stage grasping onto his leg with one hand and the gun in his other, blood coming out from his legs.)
Nurse Sir, please settle down! Let me see your wound. (1) Lieutenant Charles (Nurse immediately rushes is it? from backstage, rushing to the soldier with a medical kit, and grabs the soldier’s gun, setting it aside.) 1- After looking at the soldier's badge on his uniform. Soldier Yes miss (With a painful expression.)
Nurse Alright stay with me! I just need to give you some medicine that will (Looking at the soldiers likely help. Hold on! wound, a worried look creeps onto the nurse’s face.) Soldier I’m trying ma’am, but please hurry, I have endured with this wound for (Still holding a painful many hours. I have a son at home awaiting to see his dear father after expression on his face.) the war. Nurse You must be joking sir! I am deeply sorry to inform you but there is no (With an astonished look on way for me to tend to a wound that has been open for such a long her face and dropping her time. The war has just begun and has already taken a toll on 300,000 supplies.) men. Nurse During WWI the total number of soldiers who died in the U.K were (The nurse snaps her 700,000, and the number of soldiers who died in total were 20 million. fingers, getting out of Overall, there were over 41 million casualties in WWI, including those character and looks at the who died. audience, as she starts to narrate.) Nurse I will try my best to help you sir, but please you must bear the pain (The nurse snaps her with me. There is a need for me to amputate your leg. fingers again and shakes her head regaining character, as she turns back to the soldier. Her expression changes to a sorrow look as she looks down, but she quickly regains a determined face, when she sees his wound. She sighs and crouches back down, next to the soldier.) Soldier Oh thank you Nurse, I will forever--- (His body goes limp and before he is able to finish his words. The Nurse shakes the body of the soldier whose body lays lifeless in front of her.) Nurse Sir, Sir! Please you can’t die on me, your son... Ugh! It's always like (After the nurse says her this! There is not a day that goes by where I can ever save these poor lines furiously she slowly soldiers. Who will ever create a cure to save them? Only god knows... gets up and walks behind the backdrop, frustration and grief fills her face, while the soldier now stands up, and starts narrating some background information.)
SCENE 3 - Fleming’s Discovery Purpose of the Scene Key Elements The purpose of this scene was to show how Setting Fleming's Laboratory penicillin was accidentally discovered by Alexander Fleming. Timeframe 1:42 Characters Alexander Flemming and Soldier Summary of the Scene Alexander Fleming was experimenting with bacteria in his lab when he left to go on vacation. When he came back he realized he had forgot to put the petri dish, with the bacteria he was experimenting with, in an incubator. This led to the accidental discovery of penicillin, which revolutionized the world.
DIALOGUE - SCENE 3 Character & Action Dialogue Soldier What just happened to Lieutenant Charles over there is something (The soldier starts his that happened to a countless number of brave men. They had family narration at the podium and and friends just like you. The nurses, just like the one in this scene later begins to walk towards had no control over the soldiers' death, but all of this was about to the table and pulls out the change thanks to Alexander Fleming. Born in Darvel, Scotland, Alexander Fleming was a well-known physician, and microbiologist in props and changes the sign St. Mary’s Hospital. Fleming served in the Army Medical Corps as a to “Fleming’s Discovery” as he is still saying his lines.He captain when WWI broke out. There he saw the lives of many young then makes his way back to soldiers being taken away because of deadly bacterial infections. This the podium.) had inspired him to conduct experiments in his own lab involving bacteria. Soldier 14 years after the start of WWI Alexander Fleming was Conducting (Looks up and starts experiments in his own laboratory. narrating again as Fleming Makes his way to the table with props.)
Fleming Wow the bacteria in this petri dish is multiplying as time goes by. (Fleming continues Speaking of time... (1) Oh no! I am going to be late to catch the ferry! experimenting with different types of bacteria, wearing gloves and goggles. He moves different test tubes around and looks under the microscope several times. He also touches and moves things in his petri dish with a tweezer. Fleming starts speaking with a Scottish accent.) 1- (Fleming checks his watch.) Soldier Well indeed he had to go on vacation, but Fleming had left in such a (looks at the audience.) hurry that he left his bacteria unattended to and had not placed it in an incubator. Around two weeks later after Fleming returned from his trip, he discovered that he left his petri dish unattended and found a surprise waiting for him inside of it. Fleming Beautiful trip… Oh no! I left the dish unattended. Hmm, what is this? (Coming from backstage and setting up the props onto the table and seeing the petri dish.) Soldier What Fleming just found was mould spores next to the (Looks at the audience. Staphylococcus. Staphylococcus is a circular type of bacteria that Fleming curiously conducts causes boils and disastrous infections in patients with weak immune experiments by moving systems. around the beakers and looking under the microscope throughout the soldiers’ line.)
Fleming Eureka! (After a few seconds of looking under the microscope.) Soldier Fleming first thought it was the mould spores that were killing the (still looking at the bacteria, so he ran more tests on the Staphylococcus and found a way audience.) to isolate the mould. Later, he discovered that it wasn't the mold but the juice that had been causing the bacteria to die. He named the “juice” mould juice which later became known as penicillin. Fleming Wow this truly is a beautiful discovery, but just the start to something (Looking up from his that can have a bigger impact on people’s lives on a much larger microscope. Still having a scale! (1) Penicillin, it’s penicillin, penicillin. Scottish accent.) 1- (Fleming exits behind the backdrop saying.) Soldier What you are about to witness is a British soldier who has been badly wounded during a battle of WWII and this time, fortunately, he will (Soldier walks toward the receive the proper medication needed in order for him to stay alive.(1) table as he changes the Oh no! Here we go again! sign to “WWII Infirmary”and puts all the props away.) 1-(He then makes his way back to the podium and hears gunshot noises as he disappears backstage.)
SCENE 4 - WWII Infirmary Purpose of the Scene Key Elements The purpose of this scene is to show how Setting WWII Infirmary soldiers with bacterial infections could now be cured thanks to the discovery of penicillin. Timeframe 1:09 Characters Soldier and Nurse Summary of the Scene A Soldier who has been badly wounded during a battle of WWII goes to an infirmary to get treated. Fortunately this time the nurse has the proper medicine to give the soldier for him to stay alive.
DIALOGUE - SCENE 4 Character & Action Dialogue Soldier Someone please help me! I need a nurse to help me quickly. (Setting changes back to an infirmary, but this time during WWII. Background noises are similar to the ones in scene 2, with bombs and gunshots. A wounded soldier comes out from behind the backdrop limping and clutching his leg.) Nurse Poor lad. Settle down over here. Don’t you worry. The times have (The same nurse that changed since I was a nurse in WWI. We now have the proper helped the man during medications available to assist you. WWI, now in her middle ages, comes to see the soldier. The nurse goes over to help the limping soldier.) Soldier I am very glad about that as well madam. My father died in WWI (The soldier speaks as the because of the lack of sanitation and medication. nurse cleans up his wounds.) Nurse Although the total number of soldiers who had casualties during WWI (The nurse snaps her was much more compared to WWII, the number of soldiers that fingers and starts to narrate, survived from bacterial infections in WWII, increased tremendously, as the soldier looks up at because of penicillin. her with a confused and painful look.) Nurse There you are uhm --- sorry what is your name lad? (The nurse snaps her fingers again and looks back at the soldier. She finishes up wrapping the soldiers' wound) Soldier It’s Adam miss. (with a happy expression.)
Nurse Adam. You should be able to return to the battlefield with times rest, (With a joyful expression the thanks to Alexander Fleming. I did just give you penicillin after all. nurse gives him an antibiotic shot of penicillin as she says the next line.)
Soldier Thank you Miss. (Looking at the audience) Nurse Of course! This antibacterial is really saving thousands of lives. (The nurse exits backstage as soon as she finishes her line.) Soldier As shown in this scene, many soldiers who had bacterial infections survived because of penicillin.(1) The next scene takes place over 50 (The soldier slowly gets up years after penicillin was discovered.(2) and looks at the audience and snaps his fingers as he begins to narrate.) 1- (Walking over and changing the sign to “Laboratory 1980” .) 2-(The soldier walks backstage as he finishes his lines.)
SCENE 5 - Laboratory 1980 Purpose of the Scene Key Elements The purpose of this scene is to show the Setting Laboratory 1980 impact penicillin had 50 years after its discovery. For viewers to realize how Timeframe 1:13 penicillin changed peoples lives and inspired other scientists. Characters Doctor and Mary Summary of the Scene Mary is checking a rack of penicillin tubes and is debating on whether or not amoxicillin goes in the antibacterial penicillin rack. The doctor comes and helps her while giving her more facts on this antibiotic.
DIALOGUE - SCENE 5 Character & Action Dialogue Mary hmm now to check the penicillin rack, Section A, Section B, Section (Mary is at her office and C... Oh wait Amoxicillin? This shouldn’t be here right? Uhm… walks up to the table on stage and pulls out the penicillin rack to start her examination. She then starts reading her notes as she is checking the various rows of prescriptions in front of her.) Doctor No wait! Mary your right! Amoxicillin does go in the antibacterial (The Doctor comes out penicillin rack, because remember, it is a sister stain derived from behind the backdrop penicillin, just a little different to be tailored towards people with walking towards Mary.) different genetic makeup. Mary Oh... Yea! I remember reading about it in a research paper. It also (Mary looks at her notes.) mentioned that because nowadays, many people are allergic to penicillin, scientists have found other cures with the same basis of penicillin, but one that can help many other people. Doctor Yes indeed. Well I've got to get going but Mary, make sure you don’t (After saying her lines she overdose the penicillin as it can lead to confusion, behavior changes, leaves going behind the severe skin rashes, and can lead to having seizures. backdrop.) Mary Don’t worry, I won’t! Wow this is some pretty neat stuff. I’m so (Mary moves things around impressed that scientists were inspired by an accidental discovery and and “clears table” and sighs went on to find other cures. It's amazing how Penicillin helped many changes the sign to “Library family members could spend more time with their loved ones. 2010” and exits the stage as Penicillin, that’s a funny name, but a truly great discovery. she says)
SCENE 6 - Library 2010 Purpose of the Scene Key Elements Transition to Doctor scene. Andrea wants to Setting Library scene get her cough, that has been bothering her, checked out. Timeframe 0:30 Characters Andrea and Alexis Summary of the Scene Both girls are at the library but they have to leave as Andrea has a terrible cough that she decided to check with Alexis’ mom, who is a doctor.
Character & Action Dialogue Andrea *cough* Wow Lexi! There is so much to this project that we can do. (The scene is now back to We might actually get a very good grade. *cough* the library once again. Both girls walk onto stage looking the same as they were in the first scene. Andrea starts coughing once again as they both look at each other with a smile.) Alexis Yay! I knew we could do it. (Alexis lifts her hand to give Andrea a high-five. Andrea goes in to give her one but swerves halfway to cover her cough.) Andrea *cough* Sorry Lexi I have a really bad cough. *cough* (Andrea coughs while saying her line.)
Alexis Yea, I can tell. You okay? (looks at Andrea concerned.) Andrea Yea, I’m fine but I’ve had it for about two days now and it’s getting (she speaks holding her very annoying, so I’ve scheduled an appointment with your mom in stomach) about 30 minutes! *cough*
Alexis ok then, let’s get going now. (After Andrea says her line both girls exit backstage. Alexis changes the sign to “Doctors Office 2010”)
SCENE 7 - Doctor’s Office Purpose of the Scene Key Elements The purpose of this scene was to show how Setting Doctor’s Office penicillin is used in the modern day world. To realize that penicillin can help cure people's Timeframe 1:24 illnesses, as it will do (a sister strain of penicillin) to Andrea Characters Andrea, Doctor Ray, and Alexis. Summary of the Scene Andrea and Alexis arrive at the hospital and Andrea goes to the doctors office while Alexis waits outside. Doctor Ray runs some tests on Andrea, only to find that she has strep throat. Doctor Ray then prescribes medicine, amoxicillin which is a sister strain of penicillin, to Andrea to help her get better.
Character & Action Dialogue Andrea Will you be able to wait outside Lexi? *cough* (Andrea walks out from backstage with a chair and places in center stage as she says…) Alexis Sure, take care! (says line from behind backdrop.) Andrea Hmm, now where were we with our research? We know that (Andrea coughs once more Amoxicillin is a sister strain to penicillin, and that penicillin’s impact is before quickly taking a seat. overseen by so many people as it not only helped fight off illnesses in As she sits down she starts places like war sites, but actually inspired many other scientists to find to remember facts about her other cures. We also know that when Penicillin was first discovered, research project.) many people who would have otherwise been dead, were surviving. *cough* Andrea *cough* Come in ! (Andrea finishes up and sits waiting patiently, a few seconds later, there is a knock from backstage as Dr. Ray walks onto stage.) Doctor Ray Hello Andrea dear, it seems here that you have a terrible cough that is (Doctor Ray speaks as she bothering you? looks down at her notes.) Andrea *cough* Yes. (Andrea speaks admittingly, yet boldly.) Dr.Ray since when have you had it from? (Dr.Ray raises her eyebrows and then looks down at her notes.)
Andrea About two days now. *cough* (Andrea speaks as she looks up at Dr. Ray.) Doctor Ray that seems odd, let’s do a strep throat test, shall we? open wide… (Andrea obeys the doctor's command, as the doctor reaches into her mouth with a testing strip and a light.) Doctor Ray I’ll be right back! (Doctor Ray goes backstage with the test and returns a few seconds later, as Andrea sits waiting patiently.) Andrea Sure, thanks! *cough* oh, I hope it's not too bad. (Andrea speaks as Doctor Ray returns) Doctor Ray well… you do have strep throat, but don’t you worry, with proper (Dr. Ray informs Andrea medication and plenty of rest, you’ll be able to recover in no time. about her condition.) (1) There you go dear, I just prescribed you some Amoxicillin. You can 1-(She then starts writing go pick it up at your local pharmacy. something down on a piece of paper and hands it to Andrea.) Andrea Thanks Doc! Amoxicillin, huh, a sister strain to penicillin. *cough* (Dr. Ray goes to change the sign as Andrea finishes up her lines and goes backstage. Andrea looks satisfied as she says her lines, then picks up the chair and takes it with her as she exits backstage.)
SCENE 8 - Modern Laboratory 2019 Purpose of the Scene Key Elements The purpose of this scene was to show all the Setting Modern Laboratory 2019 impacts penicillin had on society, especially in the healthcare field. Timeframe 1:36 Characters Andrea, Alexis, Trisha and Anshuni. Summary of the Scene Andrea starts off the scene as she calls Alexis to inform her that she had just discovered something new, which she believes to be a sister strain to penicillin. Both girls are excited and run off to tell the others. Trisha and Anshuni come back and start stating facts on how penicillin had such a big impact on the healthcare field and society.
Character & Action Dialogue Andrea Hey Alexis come look at this! I think I just found another sister strain of (Setting changes to a penicillin! I’m so glad Alexander Fleming found penicillin all those modernized laboratory. years ago! He really did deserve that nobel prize in physiology and Time passes 20 years into medicine. the future; Andrea and Alexis have now become scientists. Andrea starts her saying her line with a gleeful tone, as Alexis comes out from backstage and looks into the microscope. Andrea sighs a happy sigh and looks towards Alexis as she begins speaking.) Alexis You know I’m so glad we did that research project on him 10 years (After she says her line ago in middle school. That project really got us interested in the Alexis runs behind the research field. Come on let’s go tell the others. backdrop and Andrea follows behind her as she says her next lines.)
Andrea this is just the beginning! Many others like me and Lexi will find many (She stops at the edge of other cures that will add on to Alexander Fleming's discovery of the backdrop and penicillin. The future will have so many other cures that will be says...after finishing her line accessible to the entire public. (1) Guys! Guess what! she runs backstage) 1-(From backstage) Trisha Besides Penicillin's incredible impact to soldiers that have been (Trisha and Anshuni come wounded in wars and its inspiration to other scientists, it has also had out from behind the stage a big impact on the rest of society as and get out of character. Both snap at the same time.) Anshuni Penicillin helped many patients who have been diagnosed with (Using hand motions and pneumonia, strep throat, meningitis, syphilis and gonorrhea speaking with an excited tone while standing next to Trisha who has both her hands placed by her side and is smiling. Both girls are facing the audience.) Trisha Many people come to the hospitals these days to get a penicillin shot which will prevent future bacterial infections. (Speaking with a gleeful tone using hand motions while standing next to Anshuni who has both hands placed by her sides and is smiling. Both girls are facing the audience.) Anshuni Before Penicillin, Children would die of young age and other family (Using hand motions and members would get ill, there was nothing they could do about that speaking with an excited tone while standing next to Trisha who has both her hands placed by her side and is smiling. Both girls are facing the audience.) Trisha After Penicillin was discovered most of these problems went away and (Speaking with a gleeful Penicillin became commonly used amongst doctors to treat patients. tone using hand motions From the time of WWI where such an antibacterial was beyond while standing next to imagination Anshuni who has both hands placed by her sides and is smiling. Both girls are facing the audience.) st Ansuni We have come to the 21 century where this antibacterial is still in use (Using hand motions and today because of its amazing benefits. speaking with an excited tone while standing next to Trisha who has both her hands placed by her side and is smiling. Both girls are facing the audience.) Trisha Penicillin has helped save so many people’s lives and continues to do (Speaking with a gleeful so this very minute. tone using hand motions while standing next to Anshuni who has both hands placed by her sides and is smiling. Both girls are facing the audience.) Both Thank you Alexander Fleming for your contribution to the world! Thank (After saying the line both you! girls bow and this mark the end of the play.)
FULL STAGE VISUAL
This visual captures our entire backdrop, as well as all of our costumes, props, and signs by scene used throughout the play.