Preventing the Spread of Disease

Grade Level: 6-12 grades (a teacher-guided approach for younger students and a student-directed approach for older students)

Description: Students are introduced to vocabulary, and their prior knowledge about infectious diseases is assessed. They conduct a liquid exchange activity that models a spread of an infectious disease. An activity summary discussion helps students extend and apply their understanding of how an infectious disease may spread. Students work in small groups to examine real-life cases of infectious diseases from different countries and diverse approaches in solving the health problems caused by infectious diseases. Students learn about people and organizations that help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Students also consider how to balance protecting the rights of those who have infectious disease and those who do not.