BUS: Epidemiology (HS)

Summary

The purpose of this lesson is to introduce students to the world of disease study. Included in the lesson is; a job description, required schooling, and average salary. The activity will allow students to experience the investigative side of epidemiology as well as an introduction to pathogens

Materials

Power point presentation Worksheet to match power point Video clip for And the Band Played On, A Civil Action, or Outbreak Charting the Enemy worksheet

Background for Teachers

Familiarize yourself with all attachments and directions Obtain video clip from one of the following videos, Outbreak, And the Band Played On, or A Civil Action, to view and discuss. (YouTube has short clips from each of these films, find one that shows the investigative procedures that are used)

Instructional Procedures

1. Make and pass out copies of the Epidemiology worksheet
2. Show the power point that matches the worksheet. When you reach the slide that shows the video posters, present the video clip and lead a discussion on the following points:
   1. The process used by the main characters in gathering data about the given epidemic
   2. The conclusions they make from their observations. What other evidence do they need to collect? Why?
   3. Is it all "too Hollywood"? How do you think the methods in the movie compare with those utilized by real-life scientists and disease detectives.
3. Make and pass out copies of the Charting the Enemy worksheet. This can be done as research if you have a computer lab available, or simply ask the students what their guess would be, and then give them the correct information from the attached key.
4. What's My Hypothesis activity. On 3x5 cards, write an exposure on one side from the attached Exposure List. On the other side, students will write a description of how a disease would be distributed and formulate a hypothesis. Divide them up into groups and have them read and discuss their hypotheses in the group to confirm or brainstorm other ideas.