Young Epidemiology Scholars Competition

1. Contagion: The Spread of Disease

Written by Mark Gottfried and Barbara Rothstein - North Miami Beach Senior High School, North Miami Beach, FL

Appropriate subjects:

Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, AP Biology, English, World History, Mathematics, and/or Health

Grade levels:

9th-12th

Prerequisites:

graphing

Time required:

The unit requires 3 hours. However, activities can be extended.

Course description:

This curriculum utilizes data from case studies of actual epidemics to guide students as they track the course of HIV transmission, follow the spread of flu among friends or are placed in the midst of a cholera epidemic. Their work investigates historical events and gathers data from case studies of actual epidemics.

Download:

contagion.pdf (.pdf/120K)
Which-Well-datasheets-masters.pdf (.pdf/790K)
Which-Well-datasheets-reversed.pdf (.pdf/4MB)
SnowMap.pdf (.pdf/5.7MB)
Requires Adobe Reader (latest version recommended).

2. Introduction to Epidemiology

Written by Stephanie Thompson - Institute of Notre Dame High School, Baltimore, MD

Appropriate subjects:

Self-contained course (but units could be excerpted for use in a variety of other subject areas).

Grade levels:

11th or 12th

Prerequisites:

Introductory coursework in Biology, Chemistry, and Algebra II. Additional coursework in probability and/or statistics is desirable but not essential.

Time required:

12 to 16 weeks

Course description:

Introduction to Epidemiology is a self-contained epidemiology course that is designed to introduce students to the process of scientific inquiry and to encourage them to question and analyze the world around them. Using visuals and hands-on activities, students participate in a "Public Health Scavenger Hunt" and design a study of skin cancer within a school population. Components of this course can be integrated into other classes.

Download:

introduction.pdf (.pdf/296K)

3. A Ticking Time Bomb: The Emyl, Connecticut Story

Written by Robert Seiple - Sycamore High School, Montgomery, OH

Appropriate subjects:

Biology and/or Environmental Science

Grade levels:

9th-12th

Prerequisites:

No specific coursework required, but familiarity with basic science concepts, skills, and attitudes is necessary.

Time required:

7-8 class periods of approximately 1 hour each

Course description:

This unit presents students with the case study of a small town that was impacted by a mysterious, but real, outbreak. Students work to understand the causes of the mystery outbreak, its propagation and severity in society, as well as its connection with man's modification of the environment.

Download:

ticking.pdf (.pdf/283K)

4. Epidemiology In Action

Written by Annette Holmstrom - Curtis High School, University Place, WA

Appropriate subjects:

AP Statistics, Psychology, and/or Biology

Grade levels:

10th or 11th

Prerequisites:

8th grade-level reading and math skills

Time required:

One quarter

Course description:

Epidemiology in Action emphasizes web-based research. Students solve a plague puzzle, design a disease museum and plan and present a public information campaign. In all lessons and activities, the resources, examples and websites deftly target teenagers' interests.

Download:

holmstrom.pdf (.pdf/146K)
holmstrom_slides_unit_1.ppt (.pdf/1.5MB)
holmstrom_slides_unit_2.ppt (.pdf/1MB)
holmstrom_slides_unit_3.ppt (.pdf/162K)
holmstrom_slides_unit_4.ppt (.pdf/475K)
Requires Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer (Windows/Macintosh)