Students investigate how epidemiologists identify, treat, and limit the spread of a virus by studying viral anatomy, replication, infection, strain variation, vaccine action, and population spread through mathematical and computer-based models. Working in teams, they create labeled physical models of their chosen virus and apply this science to develop a differential diagnosis protocol, a hypothetical patient treatment plan, a mitigation strategy for a current pandemic, and a prevention plan for future outbreaks. The work culminates in presenting and defending their models and recommendations to local hospital or public health professionals, using feedback, reflection, and revision to strengthen scientific accuracy, clarity, and real-world feasibility.

Students will explain viral anatomy, replication, strain variation, and the host immune response, including how vaccines prepare the body to respond to infection, and they will create labeled physical models of their chosen virus to show these structures and functions. They will build and revise mathematical and computer-based models of viral spread, then use those models to test differential diagnosis steps, patient treatment options, and public health mitigation and prevention strategies. They will evaluate how transmission vectors, human behavior, and system constraints shape outbreak response, using evidence to defend realistic recommendations. They will collaborate to communicate their reasoning clearly to peers and public health audiences, while using feedback and reflection to improve the accuracy, clarity, and cohesion of their work.

Students work in teams of four to build a professional epidemiology portfolio centered on a chosen virus, including a labeled physical model of the virus, a spread model using equations and conceptual explanations, models of viral anatomy and replication, a comparison of viral strains, and an explanation of how vaccines trigger immune responses. Across the project, they draft and revise four applied products: a differential diagnosis protocol, a treatment plan for a hypothetical patient, a mitigation strategy for the current pandemic based on the virus vector, and a prevention strategy for future outbreaks. These pieces culminate in a final presentation and defense to local hospital and public health partners, supported by the physical virus model, visual data displays, and a concise rationale for each recommendation. Interim products can include a Pandemic debrief map, simulation drafts, and annotated feedback notes that show how the team refined its scientific reasoning over time.

Kick off with a Pandemic tabletop simulation in teams, then have students debrief what felt realistic or unrealistic about virus spread, treatment, vaccination, and public health response compared with real outbreaks. Follow this with a short mystery outbreak briefing in which teams examine symptom reports, transmission clues, and case maps to make an initial differential diagnosis, propose immediate mitigation steps, and sketch a first labeled physical model of the suspected virus based on their initial evidence. Invite a local public health official, epidemiologist, or hospital professional to react to their first ideas and introduce the challenge of creating a diagnosis protocol, patient treatment plan, mitigation strategy, and prevention plan. Close by having teams revise their labeled virus model and generate a first draft of what epidemiologists need to know and questions they will need to answer about viral anatomy, replication, strains, vaccines, and spread modeling.

Host a public health briefing where groups of four present their epidemiology models and response plans to local hospital staff, public health officials, school nurses, and families. Each team should display a labeled physical model of their virus and use it alongside data visualizations, viral replication/anatomy models, and simulation results to explain their differential diagnosis protocol, hypothetical patient treatment plan, mitigation strategy for the current pandemic, and prevention plan for future outbreaks. Build in a structured Q&A so students field questions about viral spread, vaccine action, strain differences, and the tradeoffs behind their recommendations. Conclude with a gallery walk or poster session so guests can closely examine the physical models and compare team approaches, leaving written feedback on scientific accuracy, clarity, and real-world feasibility.